[Minimal residual disease in malignant diseases of the blood II. Translation and therapeutic consequences].

The translation of quantitative polymerase chain reaction technology for the quantitative detection of minimal residual disease (MRD) arising from molecular aberrations in leukaemias has progressed from the pre-clinical setting to daily clinical practice. Thus, it is now part of the mainstay in following patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia treated with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib. Moreover, the methodology is being integrated in an increasing number of clinical trials, where it is expected to result in more rational and individualized clinical decision-making. A special point in favour of the techniques is the powerful and early detection of disease relapses, in some cases up to one year prior to clinical detection.