Measurable Residual Disease and the Unresolved Biology of Leukemic Stem Cells.
Leukemia cells can survive even when standard tests show no remaining disease, explaining relapses and highlighting the need for better monitoring of dormant cancer cells.
This review examines the fundamental disconnect between MRD-negative status and clinical cure in leukemia, focusing on leukemic stem cell (LSC) biology including quiescence, therapy resistance, and immune escape that are not captured by current MRD assays. The paper contextualizes why deep MRD response does not equal disease eradication and advocates for next-generation LSC-specific MRD monitoring approaches.
What the study was
- Study design
- Narrative review
- Category
- Drug Development
- Maturity
- Exploratory
- Journal
- Stem cell reviews and reports
Why it surfaced
Conceptual review on MRD/LSC biology in leukemia. Contextualizes alongside the Blood MRD dynamics paper (PMID 42498680). Stem Cell Rev Rep.
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