What is primary refractory?

Primary refractory refers to a condition in which a patient does not achieve an adequate response to initial treatment for a disease, particularly in the context of cancer, such as leukemia or lymphoma. This means that the disease persists or progresses despite the first line of therapy. In a broader sense, it can also apply to other medical conditions where the initial treatment fails to achieve the desired outcome. This situation often necessitates a change in treatment strategy or the use of alternative therapies.