Minimal residual disease monitoring in acute myeloid leukemia: Focus on MFC‐MRD and treatment guidance for elderly patients

Abstract Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is distinguished by clonal growth of myeloid precursor cells, which impairs normal hematopoiesis. Minimal residual disease (MRD) refers to the residual leukemia cells that persist after chemotherapy. Patients who test positive for MRD have a higher likelihood of experiencing a recurrence, regardless of the specific chemotherapy approach used. Multi‐parameter flow cytometry (MFC), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and next‐generation sequencing (NGS) are commonly employed techniques for identifying MRD. In the context of AML, patients are frequently monitored for measurable residual disease via multi‐parameter flow cytometry (MFC‐MRD). In order to explore recent advancements in AML and MRD diagnosis, an extensive search of the PubMed database was conducted, focusing on relevant research in the past 20 years. This review aims to examine various MRD monitoring methods, the optimal time points for assessment, as well as different specimen types used. Additionally, it underscores the significance of MFC‐MRD assessment in guiding the treatment of elderly AML.