According to the speaker, what is the significance of NGS-based MRD detection at very low levels, such as 10⁻⁶, after CAR T-cell therapy in ALL?
MRD at 10⁻⁶ is below the threshold of clinical relevance and can be safely monitored without intervention.
Any detectable MRD, even at 10⁻⁶, predicts relapse, and the level indicates the timeline: about three months at 10⁻⁵ to 10⁻⁶, and about two months at 10⁻⁴ to 10⁻³.
MRD at 10⁻⁶ predicts relapse only when it is confirmed by flow cytometry, since NGS frequently yields false positives in this setting.