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Clinical value of measurable residual disease testing for multiple myeloma and implementation in Japan

  • Progress in Hematology
  • Recent Advances in Biology and Treatment of Multiple Myeloma
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Abstract

The development of novel therapeutic agents has led to an increase in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) who achieve a complete response (CR). Consequently, a good correlation has been established between the CR rate and progression-free survival, and new methods are needed to stratify CR cases based on the measurable residual disease (MRD) and thus predict prognosis. Previously, multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC), which is rapid and widely available, has been used to assess MRD in patients with MM. Although the EuroFlow next-generation flow method was developed as a highly sensitive and standardized method of MRD detection, the procedure is costly within the current Japanese public medical insurance system. Recently, two Japanese clinical laboratory test companies, SRL and BML, respectively developed new and inexpensive 8- and 10-color single-tube MFC methods intended for the assessment of MRD under the current Japanese public medical insurance system. In this article, I have reviewed the most recent updates on MRD monitoring protocols in Japan and the clinical trials of the use of this parameter in patients with MM.

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Acknowledgements

I would like to acknowledge Dr Juan Flores-Montero, Dr Luzalba Sanoja-Flores and Prof Alberto Orfao of Universidad de Salamanca, Dr Brian Durie of International Myeloma Foundation, and Prof Hirokazu Murakami, Dr Kenshi Suzuki and Dr Kazuyuki Shimizu of Japanese Society of Myeloma for the EuroFlow-NGF assessments, and Mr Kazuya Kobori and Ms Masako Hanawa of SRL, Inc. for SRL-Flow assessments.

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  1. Department of Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, 920-8641, Japan

    Hiroyuki Takamatsu

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  1. Hiroyuki Takamatsu
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HT conceived this project and wrote the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Hiroyuki Takamatsu.

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Conflict of interest

Hiroyuki Takamatsu received honoraria from Janssen Pharmaceutical KK, Celgene, Takeda, Ono Pharmaceutical, Beckton Dickinson and Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Daiichi Sankyo Company, Fujimoto Pharmaceutical, and Sanofi; received research funds from Celgene, Ono Pharmaceutical, Bristol-Myers Squibb, CSL Behring, and SRL; and consulted for Janssen, Celgene, Abbvie, Sanofi, and SRL.

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Takamatsu, H. Clinical value of measurable residual disease testing for multiple myeloma and implementation in Japan. Int J Hematol 111, 519–529 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12185-020-02828-7

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