ASH 2020 | FORTE: complete metabolic response to predict outcomes in newly diagnosed myeloma

Michele Cavo, MD, PhD, Bologna University School of Medicine, Bologna, Italy, shares the findings of an analysis of the validity of the current definition of complete metabolic response (CMR) by FDG-PET/CT, as well as its complementarity with multiparameter flow cytometry, in predicting outcomes in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. Deauville scores (DS) above 4 were previously identified as the best cut-off for PET/CT negativity and CMR. To assess the application of these criteria to focal lesions (FS) and bone marrow uptake, 182 patients from the FORTE myeloma cohort (NCT02203643) with PET/CT evaluation were analyzed. Univariate analysis showed that FS above 4 significantly influenced progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), and achieving CMR using these criteria strongly predicted prolonged PFS. Additionally, CMR and measurable residual disease negativity by flow cytometry were shown to both independently predicted PFS and OS. This analysis shows the DS criteria to be of predictive value and complementary to MRD assessment. This interview took place during the 62nd American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition, 2020.