End of induction minimal residual disease alone is not a useful determinant for risk stratified therapy in pediatric T‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia

The role of end of induction minimal residual disease (MRD) as determined by flow cytometry for treatment assignment in pediatric T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is not well defined. We studied 33 children with newly diagnosed T-ALL. Thirty-two of 33 patients remain in continuous complete remission at a median of 4 years. Nineteen patients were MRD positive at the end of induction and all remain in remission with augmented Berlin Frankfurt Münster-based therapy. One patient underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplant for rising MRD. Persistent end of induction MRD alone is not an indication to alter therapy in pediatric T-ALL.