Undetectable MRD meets the criteria for use as a treatment endpoint in multiple myeloma, Spanish researchers argue in a review article published in June in the Journal of Hematology and Oncology.

MRD supersedes the prognostic value of CR, provides reproducible results irrespective of methodology and disease setting, and is applicable to all patients, they write.

Potential pitfalls to the clinical use of MRD must be recognized, they state, including the risk of a false MRD-negative result. To minimize this risk, they recommend confirming MRD negativity in a second assessment.

Testing of bone-marrow samples remains the “gold standard” for evaluating MRD, the researchers write.

Tags: MRD