title: Prognostic significance and treatment implications of minimal residual disease studies in Philadelphia-negative adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
abstract: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is curable in about 40-50% of adult patients, however this is subject to ample variations owing to several host- and disease-related prognostic characteristics. Currently, the study of minimal residual disease (MRD) following induction and early consolidation therapy stands out as the most sensitive individual prognostic marker to define the risk of relapse following the achievement of remission, and ultimately that of treatment failure or success. Because substantial therapeutic advancement is now being achieved using intensified pediatric-type regimens, MRD analysis is especially useful to orientate stem cell transplantation choices. These strategic innovations are progressively leading to greater than 50% cure rates.
authors.affiliation: Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit of Azienda Ospedaliera Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy.
authors.forename: Orietta
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Spinelli
authors.affiliation: Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit of Azienda Ospedaliera Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy.
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tosi
authors.affiliation: Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit of Azienda Ospedaliera Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Peruta
authors.affiliation: Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit of Azienda Ospedaliera Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy.
authors.forename: Marie Lorena
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Guinea Montalvo
authors.affiliation: Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, Ospedale dell'Angelo e SS. Giovanni e Paolo, Mestre-Venezia, Italy.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Maino
authors.affiliation: Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, Ospedale dell'Angelo e SS. Giovanni e Paolo, Mestre-Venezia, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Scattolin
authors.affiliation: Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit of Azienda Ospedaliera Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy.
authors.forename: Margherita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Parolini
authors.affiliation: Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, Ospedale dell'Angelo e SS. Giovanni e Paolo, Mestre-Venezia, Italy.
authors.forename: Piera
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Viero
authors.affiliation: Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit of Azienda Ospedaliera Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rambaldi
authors.affiliation: Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, Ospedale dell'Angelo e SS. Giovanni e Paolo, Mestre-Venezia, Italy.
authors.forename: Renato
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bassan