Dr. Kumar on the Emergence of MRD Negativity as an End Point in Multiple Myeloma

Shaji K. Kumar, MD, a consultant in the Division of Hematology and a professor of medicine with Mayo Clinic, discusses the emergence of minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity as a surrogate end point in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.

Progression-free survival (PFS) has served as the primary end point for multiple registrational clinical trials in relapsed multiple myeloma, says Kumar. However, as older phase 3 trials continue to mature, overall survival data are beginning to emerge.

Notably, many recent studies have demonstrated the importance of achieving MRD negativity in patients with multiple myeloma, Kumar explains. As such, MRD negativity is being considered as a surrogate end point in trials. Additionally, data have shown that MRD negativity is associated with improved PFS, further strengthening the notion that depth of response influences PFS, concludes Kumar.