Digital PCR can reliably determine if chronic myeloid leukemia patients in remission can successfully discontinue drug treatment
Digital PCR reliably quantifies deep molecular remission in CML, guiding safe discontinuation of tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy.
In a prospective multicenter study, BCR::ABL1 digital PCR was shown to detect residual disease in >95% of CML patients in deep molecular remission, outperforming standard RT‑qPCR. The assay reliably quantifies transcript levels down to 0.0023% on the International Scale, facilitating identification of candidates for safe treatment‑free remission. Transcript‑type differentiation (e13a2 vs e14a2) was also achieved and may inform risk of relapse.
Accurate, ultra‑sensitive monitoring of residual disease enables clinicians to safely discontinue TKI therapy, reducing lifelong medication burden and potential side‑effects while maintaining patient quality of life.
Evidence level: Korai humán adat. Kis vagy feltáró emberi adat.
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