Prognostic value of minimal residual disease detection in multiple myeloma

Abstract Minimal residual disease (MRD) detection methods are important for diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis in multiple myeloma (MM), and include serum free-light chain assay, multiparametric flow cytometry (with ≥ 4 colors; sensitivity ≤ 10(-4)), allele-specific oligonucleotide-polymerase chain reaction (ASO-PCR; sensitivity 10(-5)), and next-generation sequencing (NGS; sensitivity ≤ 10(-6)). Although molecular complete remission in MM can be assessed by ASO-PCR, this technique requires preparation of clonotype-pecific primers for each individual, which is both labor- and time-consuming. The use of NGS for MRD detection in MM provides increased sensitivity and specificity, while overcoming the challenges associated with ASO-PCR. Furthermore, MRD-negativity revealed by NGS is more closely associated with durable remission of MM than that revealed by ASO -PCR.