ASH 2020 | Analysis of MRD conversion rates and the impact on survival outcomes in the myeloma FORTE trial

Daniel AuClair, PhD, Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, Norwalk, CT, shares details of an analysis of the impact of measurable residual disease (MRD) by multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) and next-generation sequencing (NGS) on survival outcomes in the FORTE trial (NCT02203643) of multiple myeloma patients. Patients were treated with carfilzomib-lenalidomide-dexamethasone (KRd) or carfilzomib-cyclophosphamide-dexamethasone (KCd) induction therapy prior to autologous stem-cell transplantation, or 12 cycles of KRd only. Second randomization to KR or R maintenance followed. The analysis found that those who achieved pre-maintenance MRD-negativity had a longer progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival compared to MRD-positive patients. A high-degree of concordance was shown between MFC and NGS, with MRD-negative patient outcomes by both techniques being similar. This interview took place during the 62nd American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition, 2020.