Overview
Measurable residual disease (MRD) testing plays a vital role in personalizing treatment for patients with multiple myeloma (MM), offering meaningful insights into disease status, treatment response, and prognosis. Initially adopted in clinical trials, MRD is being explored to guide treatment decisions in real-world settings, however, data on real-world adoption, testing patterns, impact on treatment course, and outcomes remain limited.
Using the Flatiron Health Research Database, this study examined the use of MRD testing in nearly 12,000 patients with MM. Researchers found MRD testing is increasingly integrated into MM care, with growing use of high-sensitivity molecular MRD methods and significant uptake in community settings. MRD-negativity was strongly associated prolonged real-world time to next treatment and improved real-world overall survival, consistent with clinical trial observations.
Why this matters
MRD testing is a powerful tool for assessing disease status and guiding therapy. This research emphasizes its potential to enhance treatment precision and improve outcomes for multiple myeloma patients.As molecular MRD testing becomes more widely available in community oncology settings, its role in informing treatment duration and intensity is expanding. Further research on and adoption of MRD testing has the potential to drive personalized cancer care, response-adapted care, optimizing treatment strategies and patient outcomes.