Importance of minimal residual disease in hairy cell leukemia: monoclonal antibodies as a therapeutic strategy.
With the use of nucleoside analogs as frontline therapy, the prognosis of hairy cell leukemia (HCL) has improved dramatically. Unfortunately, disease recurrence remains problematic. Eradication of minimal residual disease (MRD) persisting after therapy may further improve outcome. The evolution of available techniques used to assess MRD, and the potential incorporation of novel agents such as monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) into the treatment armamentarium for HCL mandate that MRD analyses be performed concurrently with routine assessments of disease status. Herein, the available data regarding the prevalence and clinical relevance of MRD after therapy for HCL is reviewed.
Thomas
Deborah A
DA
Department of Leukemia, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA. debthomas@mdanderson.org
Ravandi
Farhad
F
Keating
Michael
M
Kantarjian
Hagop M
HM
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods; D007943:Leukemia, Hairy Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D018365:Neoplasm, Residual
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal