This volume provides a concise yet comprehensive overview of minimal residual disease (MRD) testing. The text reviews the history of MRD testing, MRD testing for acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma, molecular diagnostics for MRD analysis in hematopoietic malignancies, the use of "difference from normal" flow cytometry in monitoring AML response, ML-DS for measurable residual disease detection, and advancements in next generation sequencing for detecting MRD. Written by experts in the field, Minimal Residual Disease Testing: Current Innovations and Future Directions is a valuable resource for hematologists, oncologists, pathologists, and radiologists on the variety of technologies available to detect MRD and how best to integrate these platforms into clinical practice.

This volume provides a concise yet comprehensive overview of minimal residual disease (MRD) testing. The text reviews the history of MRD testing, MRD testing for acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma, molecular diagnostics for MRD analysis in hematopoietic malignancies, the use of "difference from normal" flow cytometry in monitoring AML response, ML-DS for measurable residual disease detection, and advancements in next generation sequencing for detecting MRD. Written by experts in the field, Minimal Residual Disease Testing: Current Innovations and Future Directions is a valuable resource for hematologists, oncologists, pathologists, and radiologists on the variety of technologies available to detect MRD and how best to integrate these platforms into clinical practice.

Detection of minimal residual disease (MRD) is increasingly used in the management of leukemia patients. A wide variety of methods have been developed and include technologies designed to detect residual malignant cells beyond the sensitivity of conventional approaches such as morphology and banding cytogenetics in leukemia. The choice of the best method depends on the biology of the individual malignancy, i.e. on the determination of specific markers which are useful to differentiate between leukemic cells and normal hematopoiesis in leukemic patients. These markers include leukocyte differentiation antigens, fusion transcripts, transcripts overexpressed by mutated or nonmutated genes, rearranged genes, and individual markers like polymorphic repetitive DNA sequences. The major technologies for MRD detection, their advantages and disadvantages and their clinical applications are discussed in this special issue - from 'bench to bedside'. Providing a comprehensive overview on the significance of MRD in the evaluation, treatment and follow-up of hematologic malignancies, it will be of great value to hematologists, researchers interested in leukemias and lymphomas as well as laboratory technicians.

The objective of the treatment of acute leukemia involves the eradication of all neoplastic cells, including the last one. Ideally, treatment should be controlled by monitoring cell kill. If the last cells could be discovered and their biological properties be determined, the qualitative and quantitative effects of treatment should be directly evaluable. This should ultimately permit a calculated tumor cell reduction thereby avoiding overtreatment and excessive toxicity and thus providing a basis for individualized antileukemic treatment. In recent years several new developments have contributed to the selective discovery of minimal numbers of leukemic cells which are hidden among the normal cells in the marrow cavities. These methods are the first steps to the realization of the therapeutic goals indicated above. They include the production and ap plication of monoclonal antibodies against differentiation antigens on the cell sur face, the use of pulse cytophotometry - and cell sorter techniques, the employment of cytogenetics, the development of culture techniques for selective growth of precursor cells and several others. These methodologies offer prospects for refined diagnosis and, as far as the elimination of leukemic cells is concerned, the further development of autologous bone marrow transplantation. Eliminating tumor cells from autologous grafts requires the detailed knowledge of the cellular inter relationships within the neoplasm so that the neoplastic cells responsible for tumor propagation are specifically removed. Recognition and characterization of the clonogenic cells of the neoplasm should then lead to determining their sensitivity to the therapeutic agents which are clinically applied.

Master implementation of the techniques of flow cytometry in diagnosing complex haematological diseases and malignancies in patients, worldwide. Featuring World Health Organization recommendations on pre-analytical steps, instrument settings and panel construction, this invaluable manual offers invaluable support for those researching, practising and analyzing the cause of hematological malignancies. Authored by leading experts, this book puts flow-cytometry into everyday context. With a focus on multicolour panels, the manual provides readers an experienced understanding of effective, implementation techniques. Practitioners of all levels are offered a background in a variety of diseases presented alongside the most current methodology. Wide-ranging and comprehensive; detailed images of healthy blood, bone marrow and lymph-nodes are illustrated throughout, allowing for effective diagnosis. Through engaging with differential diagnoses, the manual offers an understanding of similar symptoms and mimicking malignancies, avoiding inaccurate results. Featuring in-depth descriptions of chronic diseases; users can reach accurate diagnosis, first time.

This book provides a step-by-step and practically applicable approach for the accurate and clinically relevant diagnosis of lymph node (LN) and bone marrow (BM) biopsies. Clinicians expect pathological guidance not only with accurate diagnosis, but also about disease progression, minimal residual disease, disease susceptibility to a particular therapy, effects of prior therapy on prognosis and subsequent therapy etc. This book provides brief but to the point guidance about the prognostic and therapeutic implications of key ancillary studies so that the pathologist is comfortable to answer clinician’s questions over the entire arc of manifestations and management of the disease. The text follows the WHO (2016) classification in essence but the material is organized in a fashion most useful to a practicing surgical pathologist. This is achieved by focusing on the morphological findings as the starting point. Using this morphological “backbone” and several frequently asked questions (FAQs) the reader is guided to a rational list of differential diagnoses leading to a definitive diagnosis. The contents of each chapter are carefully selected so that the practically important and directly applicable information is available in an easy-to-find and easy-to-grasp format. Practical Lymph Node and Bone Marrow Pathology serves as a practical introduction and handbook for pathology trainees and hematopathology fellows and will remain a useful reference to practicing pathologists when they are signing out lymph nodes or bone marrow specimens.

This book provides a comprehensive and up-to-date review of all aspects of childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, from basic biology to supportive care. It offers new insights into the genetic pre-disposition to the condition and discusses how response to early therapy and its basic biology are utilized to develop new prognostic stratification systems and target therapy. Readers will learn about current treatment and outcomes, such as immunotherapy and targeted therapy approaches. Supportive care and management of the condition in resource poor countries are also discussed in detail. This is an indispensable guide for research and laboratory scientists, pediatric hematologists as well as specialist nurses involved in the care of childhood leukemia.