Minimal residual disease monitoring in acute myeloid leukemia: will next generation sequencing be used in clinical routine?

Abstract

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a highly heterogeneous hematologic malignancy. The precise prognostic stratification is the premise of the individualized treatment. The serial monitoring of minimal residual disease (MRD) has become the important stratification marker at present. The newly developed next generation sequencing (NGS) technique has been gradually used in AML patients for gene mutation screen in clinical routine. The characteristics of NGS technique implies its availability for MDS monitoring, and the preliminary data on its application in MRD monitoring have demonstrated its clinical significance. Therefore, NGS technique has the great potential for MRD monitoring in clinical practice. However, some key points remain to be solved. Key words: Leukemia, myeloid, acute; Minimal residual disease; Next generation sequencing