Flow Cytometry Test for Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) in AML: Booking, Price, and Results
About Flow Cytometry Test for Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) in AML: Booking, Price, and Results
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | MRD test for AML, MRD leukaemia panel (AML), Measurable residual disease by flow cytometry for AML, MFC-MRD AML |
| Sample Type | Bone marrow aspirate/peripheral blood |
| Fasting Required | No fasting required |
| Report Time | 4 Days |
| Recommended For | All ages and genders; specifically for acute myeloid leukaemia patients undergoing or completing treatment |
| Price | Starting at ₹20,570 |
What is a Flow Cytometry Test for Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) in AML?
The flow cytometry test for minimal residual disease (MRD) in AML detects tiny numbers of leukaemia cells that may remain in the body after treatment for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). These leftover cells are too few to be seen under a standard microscope but can still cause the disease to return. Doctors use it to assess how well treatment has worked and to guide further care. The test uses a bone marrow sample and is also known as the MRD test for AML or MFC-MRD AML. Doctors use it to assess how well treatment has worked and to guide further care.
What Does a Flow Cytometry Test for MRD in AML Measure?
This test analyses specific proteins on the surface of blood cells in the bone marrow to identify any remaining leukaemia cells. The following markers are examined during the MRD test procedure:
| Marker | What It Looks For |
|---|---|
| Leukaemia-associated immunophenotype (LAIP) | Abnormal patterns on leukaemic blast cells that distinguish them from healthy cells. |
| CD34, CD117, HLA-DR | Primitive cell markers used to identify and classify blast (immature cell) populations. |
| CD7, CD11b, CD13, CD15, CD19, CD33, CD56 | Markers that reveal abnormal or cross-lineage expression on myeloid blast cells. |
| Residual leukaemic cell percentage | The percentage of residual leukaemic blast cells detected in the sample. |
Why is a Flow Cytometry Test for MRD in AML Done?
This test is used at key points during and after AML treatment to track disease status and help doctors make informed decisions.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
A doctor may request this test in the following situations:
- Fatigue continuing during or after AML treatment
- Unexplained fever or recurring infections
- Assessment of response after chemotherapy
- Evaluation before or after stem cell transplantation
- Unexplained weakness or low blood counts
- Routine monitoring at scheduled treatment milestones
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
This test can help identify or assess the following:
- Persistence of AML cells after induction or consolidation therapy
- Risk of disease relapse following treatment
- Treatment failure or an inadequate response to chemotherapy
- Disease status before allogeneic stem cell transplantation
Flow Cytometry test for MRD in AML for Ongoing Monitoring and Surveillance
This test is a key tool for ongoing monitoring throughout the AML treatment journey. A positive result after induction or consolidation therapy is linked to a higher risk of relapse and reduced survival. The test is typically repeated at set milestones: after induction therapy, after consolidation therapy, before and after stem cell transplantation, and during long-term follow-up.
How to Prepare and What to Expect
No special preparation is required for this test, but there are a few practical steps to keep in mind before your appointment.
Do You Need to Fast?
No fasting is required before this test. You may eat and drink as normal on the day of your appointment.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
Keep the following in mind before attending your appointment:
- Provide a detailed clinical history, including your symptoms, previous test results, and prior haemato-pathological reports, as this is required for the test.
- Inform your doctor about all current medications and any ongoing health conditions.
- Arrange for someone to accompany you, as bone marrow sample collection is an invasive medical procedure.
- Follow any additional instructions given by your treating doctor or the testing centre.
Step-by-Step Procedure
- You will be asked to confirm your identity and medical history with the healthcare team.
- For a peripheral blood sample, a healthcare professional will draw blood from a vein in your arm using a sterile needle and collection tube.
- A doctor or trained specialist will prepare the bone marrow aspiration site, usually the hip bone (iliac crest), with a local anaesthetic.
- A small amount of bone marrow fluid (approximately 3 ml) is drawn, and the first aspirate is collected into an EDTA tube to avoid blood mixing with the sample.
- The collection site is dressed, and you will be monitored briefly before leaving.
- The sample is labelled, stored at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius, and sent to the laboratory for processing.
- In the lab, the sample is stained with fluorescent antibodies and analysed by flow cytometry to detect and count any remaining leukaemia cells.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
- Haemodilution, in which blood mixes with the aspirate during collection, can lead to an underestimation of residual disease.
- Sample viability: The sample must be processed within 48 to 72 hours of collection
- Reduced bone marrow cell production (hypoplasia) or a regenerating bone marrow state.
- Recent treatment with targeted therapies that alter cell surface markers.
- The number of cells acquired and analysed during the flow cytometry run.
Understanding Your Flow Cytometry Test for MRD in AML Results
Your results should always be reviewed by your oncologist or haematologist in the context of your full clinical picture. The table below shows the general reference ranges used for this test.
| Parameter | General Interpretation | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| MRD Status | Typically considered negative below the laboratory reporting threshold | % of CD45+ cells |
| Residual Blast Detection | Residual leukaemic cells may be detectable at sensitivities ranging from 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 100,000 cells (10⁻³ to 10⁻⁵) | Abnormal cells among the analysed cells |
These ranges are general guidelines. Your doctor will interpret your results based on your age, health history, and other factors. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised medical advice.
Results During Special Conditions
Certain clinical situations may affect how results are interpreted:
- Haemodilution during sample collection can underestimate the true level of residual disease and may yield a false-negative result.
- A hypoplastic or regenerating bone marrow can interfere with accurate cell analysis.
- Recent use of monoclonal antibody therapies targeting CD markers may alter antigen expression and affect interpretation.
How to Support Your Health During AML Monitoring
These are general wellness tips to support your overall health during and after AML treatment:
- Attend all scheduled monitoring appointments so your care team can consistently track your disease status.
- Follow a balanced diet, stay physically active within your tolerance, and avoid tobacco and alcohol to support your body's recovery.
- Follow your oncologist's guidance on treatment protocols and do not skip or delay follow-up tests.
Lupin Diagnostics Flow Cytometry Test for MRD in AML Price
The test cost at Lupin Diagnostics starts at ₹20,570. There is no home collection option available for this test. You will need to visit the Lupin Diagnostics centre of the hospital to undergo this test.
| City | Approximate Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| BHOPAL | 20570 |
| CHENNAI | 20570 |
| HYDERABAD | 20570 |
| KOLKATA | 20570 |
| NAVI MUMBAI | 20570 |
| PUNE | 20570 |
Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.
How to Book
- Select the test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
- Choose your city and preferred centre location.
- Visit the centre at your scheduled time to have a sample collected by a trained clinical professional.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within 3 days of sample collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Minimal residual disease refers to leukaemia cells that remain in the body after treatment but are present in numbers too small to detect under a standard microscope. The threshold for MRD negativity is generally set at less than 0.1% of cells. Detecting these cells is important because their presence is linked to a higher risk of the disease returning.
Flow cytometry for minimal residual disease is preferred because it applies to more than 90% of AML cases, offers a relatively fast turnaround, and can detect as few as 1 leukaemic cell in 100,000 normal cells. It can also distinguish between living and dead cells, making it highly specific.
A bone marrow aspirate is required, specifically the first pull, collected into an EDTA tube. The first pull is preferred because it reduces the risk of blood mixing with the bone marrow fluid, which can affect accuracy. In certain clinical situations, a peripheral blood sample may also be collected, depending on the treating doctor’s recommendation and the laboratory protocol.
At Lupin Diagnostics, your report will be delivered within 4 days of sample collection. The laboratory schedules this test from Monday to Saturday.
The flow cytometry test for MRD in AML is typically performed after induction chemotherapy, after consolidation therapy, before and after stem cell transplantation, and during long-term follow-up monitoring.
An MRD-positive result means leukaemia cells are still detectable in the bone marrow at a level above the 0.1% threshold. This is associated with a higher risk of relapse. Your doctor will discuss the next steps, which may include changes to your treatment plan.
Flow Cytometry Test for Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) in AML: Booking, Price, and Results
