Multiple studies have shown that MRD negativity correlates significantly with survival in patients with blood cancers, but little is known about whether MRD status correlates with outcomes such as health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and cost effectiveness. Researchers at Amgen and AstraZeneca reviewed published studies evaluating the relationship of these patient-centered outcomes to MRD status.
Most of the eight studies included in the review evaluated MRD at the 10-4 threshold. In three studies of patients with multiple myeloma or chronic or acute lymphoblastic leukemia, those achieving MRD negativity reported higher HRQoL. However, one study found that patients with chronic myeloid leukemia who achieved MRD negativity had a higher symptom burden at 24 months.
Four studies found that MRD-negative patients with chronic myeloid or acute lymphoblastic leukemia had lower costs and used fewer health-care resources. Two studies of blinatumomab treatment concluded that it was cost effective because of a high MRD response rate and because MRD-negative patients had lower costs and a longer relapse-free duration.
Tags: