Importance of MRD in Hematologic Malignancies

MRD, or measurable residual disease, is a critical concept in hematology, offering insight into disease detection beyond conventional methods such as imaging studies. The ability to detect minimal amounts of cancer cells directly in the bone marrow has revolutionized response assessments and treatment approaches in diseases like myeloma and CLL. While the technology signifies a significant advancement providing more accurate data, the challenge remains in determining how to act on this information to avoid over or under-treatment until clinical trials establish clear guidelines.