Minimal Residual Disease Status Determines Outcomes in Multiple Myeloma
Whether or not cancer cells remain in a cancer patient while undergoing treatment may effect multiple myeloma survival.
Minimal residual disease (MRD) may effect survival outcomes in newly-treated patients with multiple myeloma.
In a new study published in JAMA Oncology, researchers examined medical literature in a meta-analysis to assess MRD as a factor in survival outcomes.
The results of the study suggests that a negative MRD status after treatment seems to be associated with improved survival.
MRD is when a small number of cancer cells remain in the patient during or after treatment, when the patient is in remission. It is the major cause of relapse in cancer.
The study authors suggested that MRD status may be a biomarker for long-term survival outcomes. Furthermore, assessing MRD status after treatment should be considered as an endpoint in clinical trials.
