Longitudinal minimal residual disease assessment in multiple myeloma patients in complete remission - results from the NMSG flow-MRD substudy within the EMN02/HO95 MM trial.

Background: Multiple myeloma remains an incurable disease with multiple relapses due to residual myeloma cells in the bone marrow of patients after therapy. Presence of small number of cancer cells in the body after cancer treatment, called minimal residual disease, has been shown to be prognostic for progression-free and overall survival. However, for multiple myeloma, it is unclear whether patients attaining minimal residual disease negativity may be candidates for treatment discontinuation.