Dr. Abedin on the Clinical Significance of Undetectable MRD in CLL

Sameem Abedin, MD, assistant professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Medical College of Wisconsin, discusses the clinical significance of undetectable minimal residual disease (uMRD) status in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

uMRD is a concept reserved for venetoclax (Venclexta)–based treatment where significant rates of uMRD have been observed, says Abedin. Conversely, assessing for MRD status may not be needed in patients receiving BTK inhibitors, Abedin explains.

Currently, the significance of achieving uMRD is not fully realized but appears to be dependent on patients’ biologic factors, Abedin says. For example, patients with uMRD and mutated IGHV often have prolonged remissions, whereas a significant proportion of patients with uMRD and a p53 mutation or loss progress within 4 or 5 years, Abedin explains. As such, achieving uMRD could predict for a significant period of disease control in some patients but be less clinically meaningful in others, concludes Abedin.