Minimal residual testing (MRD) testing – Leukaemia Care e-learning

During or after treatment, this test measures the presence of leukaemia at a molecular level rather than at a cellular level.
Biomarkers linked to the leukaemia cells are measured using molecular techniques such as flow cytometry to determine the very small amounts of leukaemia cells which are still remaining in patients.
Flow cytometry is a technology used to analyse the physical and chemical characteristics of particles in a fluid as it passes through one or more lasers. A flow cytometer can rapidly measure the size and structures of thousands of cells.
MRD provides a very sensitive assessment of remission and an early detection of relapse.