Complementary Roles of Next-Generation Flow and Next-Generation Sequencing for Measurable Residual Disease Assessment...

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Oncology
• Molecular Diagnostics

Background:

• Measurable residual disease (MRD) assays are crucial for prognosis and treatment guidance in multiple myeloma (MM).
• Comparing next-generation flow (NGF)-MRD and next-generation sequencing (NGS)-MRD assays is essential for optimizing patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the diagnostic performance and clinical utility of NGF-MRD and NGS-MRD assays in MM patients.
• To evaluate the prognostic value of MRD detection by both NGF and NGS methods.

Main Methods:

• Evaluated 55 bone marrow samples from 41 MM patients for MRD.
• NGF-MRD performed on fresh samples; NGS-MRD performed on archived DNA using LymphoTrack® IGH FR1 assay.

Main Results:

• MRD detection rates were 43.6% for NGF-MRD and 29.1% for NGS-MRD, with 67.3% concordance.
• Combined MRD negativity by both assays was associated with significantly better 3-year progression-free survival (75.9%) compared to MRD positivity (40.0%, P=0.035).
• Revised International Staging System stage III and combined MRD positivity were strongly associated with PFS.

Conclusions:

• Both NGF-MRD and NGS-MRD play critical, complementary roles in monitoring MM.
• Isolated MRD positivity by either method can indicate disease progression, emphasizing the value of both assays.