Prognostic Impact of MRD-Negative Status in Multiple Myeloma
Posted: Thursday, August 31, 2017
In patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, minimum residual disease (MRD)-negative status after induction therapy was found to be more prognostic of favorable outcome than complete response alone. These were the findings of research published by Juan Jose Lahuerta, MD, of the Hospital 12 de Octubre de Madrid, and colleagues, in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
The investigators conducted a pooled analysis of 609 patients from several PETHEMA/GEM studies. After a median follow-up of 71 months, achievement of complete remission in the absence of MRD negativity was not found to be associated with prolonged progression-free or overall survival (27 and 59 months), when compared with patients with near-complete response (27 and 64 months) or those with partial response (29 and 65 months). However, MRD-negative status was strongly associated with prolonged progression-free survival (median 63 months) and overall survival (median not reached) versus complete response without MRD-negative status.
“Our results demonstrate that MRD-negative status surpasses the prognostic value of complete response achievement for progression-free survival and overall survival across the disease spectrum, regardless of the type of treatment or patient risk group,” the investigators reported. “MRD negativity should be considered as one of the most relevant endpoints for transplant-eligible and elderly fit patients with multiple myeloma.”
