Leukemia study highlights need to standardize testing

Multiparametric flow cytometry, a widely available and cost-effective test, can detect one cancerous cell among thousands of healthy cells in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. This test helps monitor disease progression, predict relapse risk, and guide treatment. However, the sensitivity and accuracy of testing vary across different centers, according to a study led by Virginia Tech scientists.

The research, published in Haematologica, found wide variations in the ability of test results to predict patient outcomes, despite being performed clinically. The study reviewed data from 2,542 patients across 131 U.S. testing centers who received blood-forming stem cell transplants between 2013 and 2019. While pre-transplant positivity was linked to higher relapse risk, most relapses occurred among patients who tested negative.

This highlights the need for more consistent and sensitive testing. Researchers advocate for establishing standardized testing protocols to ensure patients receive reliable results. The study's findings underscore the importance of improving testing standards to enhance the precision medicine approach to cancer care.