MRDguided

MRDguided refers to a therapeutic approach in cancer treatment that utilizes minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring to guide treatment decisions. Minimal residual disease is the presence of cancer cells that remain in the body after treatment, even at levels that are undetectable by standard diagnostic methods. MRDguided therapy aims to detect these lingering cancer cells and adjust treatment intensity or strategy accordingly.

The principle behind MRDguided treatment is that the presence of MRD is a strong predictor of relapse. By regularly measuring MRD levels, clinicians can assess the effectiveness of a patient's current therapy. If MRD is detected or increases, it may indicate that the cancer is not being fully controlled, prompting a change in treatment. This could involve intensifying the current therapy, switching to a different treatment regimen, or considering other interventions. Conversely, if MRD remains undetectable, it may suggest a good response, potentially allowing for less aggressive treatment or a longer duration of observation.

MRD monitoring is typically performed using sensitive molecular techniques, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or next-generation sequencing (NGS), which can detect cancer cells at very low frequencies. This approach is particularly relevant in hematological malignancies like leukemia and lymphoma, where MRD has been extensively studied and integrated into clinical practice. However, its application is expanding to other cancer types. The goal of MRDguided therapy is to optimize treatment outcomes by personalizing the therapeutic approach based on individual patient responses and the presence of residual disease, aiming to improve remission rates and reduce the risk of recurrence.