Even after treatment, CLL can return. However, advancements in monitoring are helping doctors detect relapse earlier and intervene more effectively.
Minimal residual disease (MRD) testing can detect one CLL cell among a million healthy cells and provides a sensitive measure of disease burden. This allows for timely intervention and treatment adjustments, potentially delaying or preventing relapse. For instance, patients achieving MRD negativity after treatment is a positive sign, often associated with better long-term outcomes.
If optimized, regular MRD status checkups could guide therapy duration and intensity, tailoring treatment to each patient’s needs.
