Retrospective analysis of treatment discontinuation in minimal residual disease negative multiple myeloma
摘要
The prognostic significance of minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity in multiple myeloma (MM) is well-established, and MRD negativity serves as a surrogate marker for treatment outcomes. However, in various clinical trials, achieving MRD negativity often leads to treatment continuation until disease progression. In real-world clinical practice, discontinuing treatment could lower healthcare costs and reduce adverse events.
MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed patients who reached MRD negativity and discontinued treatment.
ResultsA total of 39 multiple MM cases were included (17 eligible and 22 ineligible for autologous stem cell transplantation). The median time to next treatment was 42.4 months. Ten patients (25%) required additional treatment due to paraproteins or clinical relapse. Cumulative incidence of relapse at 12 and 48 months was 11.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.5–28.2%) and 26.4% (95% CI, 12.8–49.6%), respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) at first visit and t(4;14) were the only baseline factors significantly associated with worse outcomes. Eight patients (20%) with International Staging System (ISS) = I and with no risk factors (history of extramural disease, elevated LDH, high-risk cytogenetics) had no recurrence.
ConclusionAlthough treatment discontinuation in high-risk cases is potentially unsafe, low-risk cases demonstrate potential for treatment-free remission.