Real-World Experience with Minimal Residual Disease Testing with Next Generation Flow Cytometry and Functional Imaging in Multiple Myeloma

Background: Minimal residual disease (MRD) diagnostics in multiple myeloma (MM) are gaining increasing importance to determine response depth beyond complete remission (CR) since novel agents have shown to induce high rates of deep clinical responses. Moreover, recent reports indicated combining functional imaging with next generation flow cytometry (NGF) could be beneficial in predicting clinical outcome. This applies in particular to the subset of patients suffering from relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) who tend to show a higher incidence of residual focal lesions despite serological response. Here, we report our institutions experience with implementing both functional imaging and NGF-guided MRD diagnostics in clinical practice. Methods: Our study included patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) and RRMM achieving VGPR, CR or sCR. Bone marrow aspirates were obtained for MRD-testing according to IMWG 2016 criteria. Samples were collected between July 2019 and July 2020 and analyzed with NGF (according to EuroFlowTM guidelines) at a sensitivity level of 10-5. Results were compared to functional imaging obtained with positron emission tomography (PET) and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI). High-risk disease was defined as presence of deletion 17p, translocation (14;16) or (4;14). Results: We included 66 patients with NDMM (n=39) and RRMM (n=27) who achieved VGPR or better. In patients with RRMM the median number of treatment lines was 2 (range 2-11). Fifteen patients suffered from high-risk disease. Median age at NGF diagnostics was 64 years (range 31-83). Among patients achieving VGPR (n=27), CR (n=10) and sCR (n=29) seventeen (26%) were MRD-negative by NGF testing. CR or better was significantly associated NGF MRD-negativity (p=0.04). Notably, rates of NGF MRD-negativity were similar among patients with NDMM (28%) and RRMM (26%). Even some heavily pretreated patients who underwent ≥ 4 lines of therapy achieved MRD-negativity on NGF (2 of 9). Functional imaging was performed in 46 (70%) patients with DW-MRI (n=22) and PET (n=26). Median time between NGF and imaging assessment was 2 days (range 0-147). Combining results from imaging and NGF, 12 out of 46 (26%) patients were MRD-negative with both methods (neg/neg). Three patients displayed disease activity as measured with both, imaging and NGF (pos/pos). Twenty-nine of the remaining patients were MRD-positive only according to NGF (pos/neg), while two patients were positive on imaging only (neg/pos). More patients demonstrated combined MRD-negativity on NGF and imaging (neg/neg) in the NDMM setting than in RRMM (32% versus 19%). We also observed that 30% of the patients with high-risk genetics showed MRD-negativity on both imaging and NGF. Of note, none of the patients with very advanced disease (≥4 previous lines) was MRD-negative on both techniques. Conclusion In the clinical routine, MRD diagnostics could be used to tailor maintenance and consolidation approaches for patients achieving deep responses by traditional IMWG criteria. Our real-world experience highlights that MRD-negativity can be achieved in patients suffering from high-risk disease and also in late treatment lines, supporting its value as endpoint for clinical trials. However, our data also support MRD diagnostics to be combined with functional imaging at least in the RRMM setting to rule out residual focal lesions. Future studies using MRD for clinical decision-making are highly warranted. Disclosures Einsele: Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; GlaxoSmithKline: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Rasche:Celgene/BMS: Honoraria; GlaxoSmithKline: Honoraria; Oncopeptides: Honoraria; Skyline Dx: Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria; Sanofi: Honoraria.

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Minimal Residual Disease in Autografts and Bone Marrow of Patients with Multiple Myeloma: 8-Color Multiparameter Flow Cytometry (EuroFlow-NGF) Vs. Next-Generation Sequencing

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2020-137014 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 136 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 22-23

Author(s):

Hiroyuki Takamatsu ◽

Naoki Takezako ◽

Takeshi Yoroidaka ◽

Takeshi Yamashita ◽

Ryoichi Murata ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Myeloma ◽

Bone Marrow ◽

Flow Cytometry ◽

Research Funding ◽

Prognostic Value ◽

Residual Disease ◽

Multiparameter Flow Cytometry ◽

Next Generation ◽

Generation Sequencing ◽

Minimal Residual

Background: Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in conjunction with novel therapeutic drugs can dramatically improve response rates and the prognoses of patients with multiple myeloma (MM). However, most patients with MM ultimately relapse due to minimal residual disease (MRD). Next-generation multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) (EuroFlow-NGF) and next-generation sequencing (NGS) are currently the standard methods to assess MRD. Aims: To compare the prognostic value of MRD detection in autografts and bone marrow (BM) cells using 8-color MFC (EuroFlow-NGF) and NGS (Adaptive Biotechnologies), and also MRD levels between fresh and cryopreserved autografts using NGF. Methods: The study enrolled 52 newly-diagnosed MM patients who underwent ASCT. The median age ASCT was 61 (range 41-69) years and included 29 males and 23 females at ISS I (n = 17), II (n = 23), and III (n = 12). Of these, 18 patients harbored high-risk chromosomal abnormalities including t(4;14) (n = 15), del17p and t(4;14) (n = 2), and complex (n = 1). Bortezomib-based chemotherapy was used for induction together with melphalan at 140 mg/m2 (n = 1) and 200 mg/m2 (n = 51) for conditioning before ASCT. 39 of 52 (75%) patients received maintenance therapy until progressive disease. The best responses achieved post-ASCT included 30 sCR, 4 CR, 15 VGPR, and 3 PR. Forty autografts, one from each MM patient, were analyzed using NGF and NGS protocols, and BM cells at pre/post-ASCT and autografts derived from 16 patients were analyzed using NGS. The EuroFlow-NGF method uses standard sample preparation; large numbers of cells are evaluated using an optimized 8-color antibody panel that facilitates accurate identification of discrimination between phenotypically aberrant plasma cells (aPCs) and their normal counterparts (Flores-Montero et al., Leukemia 2017). NGS-based MRD assessment was performed using Adaptive's standardized NGS-MRD Assay (Seattle, WA) (Martinez-Lopez et al., Blood 2014). Eight additional autografts were used to assess MRD in both fresh and cryopreserved samples by NGF. Results: MRD was evaluated in 48 of 52 autografts (92%) using NGF and in 44 of 52 autografts (85%) using NGS. We identified aPCs in autografts based on multivariate analysis of individual cell populations (e.g., CD56+, CD19−, CyIgκ+, and CD117+). As the results of NGF revealed a strong correlation with respect to MRD in fresh vs. thawed autografts (r = 0.999, P < 0.0001), MRD was subsequently evaluated in thawed autografts. The sensitivity of NGF was 1 × 10−5-2 × 10−6; the sensitivity of NGS was 1 × 10−6. 28 of 48 (58%) of the autografts were MRD-positive by NGF; 30 of 44 (68%) of the autografts were MRD-positive by NGS. MRD levels in autografts using NGF and NGS correlated with one another (r = 0.69, P < 0.0001; Fig. 1A). MRD negative in autografts by NGF cases (MRDNGF (-)) and MRDNGS (-) tended to show better progression-free survival (PFS) than MRDNGF (+) (P = 0.195) and MRDNGS (+) (P = 0.156), respectively. Furthermore, MRDNGS (-) showed significantly better overall survival (OS) than MRDNGS (+) (P = 0.03) (Fig. 1C) while MRDNGF (-) showed better OS than MRDNGF (+) (P = 0.09) (Fig. 1B). Our data revealed only a minimal correlation between MRD in the autografts (median 1.1 × 10−5,range 0-7.29 × 10−4) and in the BM cells at pre-ASCT (median 5.05 × 10−3,range 6 × 10−6-2.64 × 10−1; r = 0.09, P = 0.7) or at post-ASCT (median 2.11 × 10−4,range 0-9.09 × 10−3; r = 0.14, P = 0.6); MRD detected in the autografts was > 27 times lower than that detected in pre-ASCT BM cells, and MRD detected in the post-ASCT BM cells was > 3 times lower than that detected in pre-ASCT BM cells except for one case in which the ratio was increased by two times. Interestingly, while MRD was detected in all BM cells at pre-ASCT (n = 16), 4 of 16 (25%) of these autografts were MRDNGS-negative. The median of MRD levels of the 4 cases in pre-ASCT and post-ASCT BM cells were 4.14 × 10−4 (range 6-583 × 10−6)and 1.8 × 10−5 (range 0-27 × 10−6), respectively. Conclusion: Although EuroFlow-NGF is a rapid and accurate method for detecting MRD, NGS was more sensitive and provided greater prognostic value than EuroFlow-NGF. Disclosures Takamatsu: Adaptive Biotechnologies: Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen Pharmaceutical: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Ono pharmaceutical: Honoraria, Research Funding; SRL: Consultancy, Research Funding. Takezako:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Abbvie: Research Funding. Nakao:Symbio: Consultancy; Kyowa Kirin: Honoraria; Alexion: Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria.

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Prognostic Molecular Stratification in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma - Results of the Pomalidomide Mukseven (NCT02406222) Biomarker Trial

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2019-123640 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 4327-4327

Author(s):

James Croft ◽

Andrew Hall ◽

Amy L Sherborne ◽

Katrina Walker ◽

Sidra Ellis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Myeloma ◽

Flow Cytometry ◽

T Cell ◽

High Risk ◽

Real World ◽

Research Funding ◽

Unmet Need ◽

Employment Equity ◽

Equity Ownership

Background Treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) remains challenging as durable remissions are achieved in patient sub-groups only. Identifying patients that are likely to benefit prior to or early after starting relapse treatments remains an unmet need. MUKseven is a trial specifically designed to investigate and validate biomarkers for treatment optimization in a 'real-world' RRMM population. Design In the randomized multi-center phase 2 MUKseven trial, RRMM patients (≥2 prior lines of therapy, exposed to proteasome inhibitor and lenalidomide) were randomized 1:1 to cyclophosphamide (500 mg po d1, 8, 15), pomalidomide (4 mg days 1-21) and dexamethasone (40 mg; if ≥75 years 20 mg; d1, 8, 15, 21) (CPomD) or PomD and treated until progression. All patients were asked to undergo bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood (PB) bio-sampling at baseline, cycle 1 day 14 (C1D14, on-treatment) and relapse. For biomarker discovery and validation, IGH translocations were profiled by qRT-PCR, copy number aberrations by digital MLPA (probemix D006; MRC Holland), GEP by U133plus2.0 array (Affymetrix), PD protein markers by IHC and PB T-cell subsets by flow cytometry for all patients with sufficient material. Primary endpoint was PFS, secondary endpoints included response, OS, safety/toxicity and biomarker validation. Original planned sample size was 250 patients but due to a change in UK standard of care during recruitment with pomalidomide becoming available, a decision was made to stop recruitment early. Results In total, 102 RRMM patients were randomized 1:1 between March 2016 and February 2018. Trial entry criteria were designed to include a real-world RRMM population, permitting transfusions and growth factor support. Median age at randomization was 69 years (range 42-88), 28% of patients had received ≥5 prior lines of therapy (median: 3). Median follow-up for this analysis was 13.4 months (95% CI: 12.0-17.5). 16 patients remained on trial at time of analysis (median number of cycles: 19.5; range 8-28). More patients achieved ≥PR with CPomD compared to PomD: 70.6% (95% CI: 56.2-82.5%) vs. 47.1% (CI: 32.9-61.5%) (P=0.006). Median PFS was 6.9 months (CI: 5.7-10.4) for CPomD vs. 4.6 months (CI: 3.5-7.4) for PomD, which was not significantly different as per pre-defined criteria. Follow-up for OS is ongoing and will be presented at the conference. High-risk genetic aberrations were found at following frequencies: t(4;14): 6%, t(14;16)/t(14;20): 2%, gain(1q): 45%, del(17p): 13%. Non-high risk lesions were present as follows: t(11;14): 22%, hyperdiploidy: 44%. Complete information on all high-risk genetic markers was available for 71/102 patients, of whom 12.7% had double-hit high-risk (≥2 adverse lesions), 46.5% single-hit high-risk (1 adverse lesion) and 40.8% no risk markers, as per our recent meta-analysis in NDMM (Shah V, et al., Leukemia 2018). Median PFS was significantly shorter for double-hit: 3.4 months (CI: 1.0-4.9) vs. single-hit: 5.8 months (CI: 3.7-9.0) or no hit: 14.1 months (CI: 6.9-17.3) (P=0.005) (Figure 1A). GEP was available for 48 patients and the EMC92 high-risk signature, present in 19% of tumors, was associated with significantly shorter PFS: 3.4 months (CI: 2.0-5.7) vs. 7.4 (CI: 3.9-15.1) for EMC92 standard risk (P=0.037). Pharmacodynamic (PD) profiling of cereblon and CRL4CRBN ubiquitination targets (including Aiolos, ZFP91) in BM clots collected at baseline and C1D14 is currently ongoing. Preliminary results for the first 10 patients demonstrate differential change of nuclear Aiolos (Figure 1C), with a major decrease in Aiolos H-scores in 7/10 patients from baseline to C1D14 and reconstitution at relapse. T-cell PB sub-sets were profiled at baseline and C1D14 by flow cytometry. Specific sub-sets increased with therapy from baseline to C1D14, e.g. activated (HLA-DR+) CD4+ T-cells, as reported at last ASH. CD4+ T-cell % at baseline was associated with shorter PFS in these analyses in a multi-variable Cox regression model (P=0.005). PD and T-cell biomarker results will be updated and integrated with molecular tumor characteristics and outcome. Discussion Our results demonstrate that molecular markers validated for NDMM predict treatment outcomes in RRMM, opening the potential for stratified delivery of novel treatment approaches for patients with a particularly high unmet need. Additional immunologic and PD biomarkers are currently being explored. Disclosures Croft: Celgene: Other: Travel expenses. Hall:Celgene, Amgen, Janssen, Karyopharm: Other: Research funding to Institution. Walker:Janssen, Celgene: Other: Research funding to Institution. Pawlyn:Amgen, Janssen, Celgene, Takeda: Other: Travel expenses; Amgen, Celgene, Janssen, Oncopeptides: Honoraria; Amgen, Celgene, Takeda: Consultancy. Flanagan:Amgen, Celgene, Janssen, Karyopharm: Other: Research funding to Institution. Garg:Janssen, Takeda, Novartis: Other: Travel expenses; Novartis, Janssen: Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria. Couto:Celgene Corporation: Employment, Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties. Wang:Celgene Corporation: Employment, Equity Ownership. Boyd:Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria. Pierceall:Celgene: Employment. Thakurta:Celgene: Employment, Equity Ownership. Cook:Celgene, Janssen-Cilag, Takeda: Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen, Takeda, Sanofi, Karyopharm, Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squib, GlycoMimetics, Seattle Genetics, Sanofi: Honoraria. Brown:Amgen, Celgene, Janssen, Karyopharm: Other: Research funding to Institution. Kaiser:Takeda, Janssen, Celgene, Amgen: Honoraria, Other: Travel Expenses; Celgene, Janssen: Research Funding; Abbvie, Celgene, Takeda, Janssen, Amgen, Abbvie, Karyopharm: Consultancy.

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Carfilzomib, Lenalidomide, and Dexamethasone in High-Risk Smoldering Multiple Myeloma: Final Results from the NCI Phase 2 Pilot Study

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v124.21.4746.4746 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 124 (21) ◽

pp. 4746-4746 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Ola Landgren ◽

Mark Roschewski ◽

Sham Mailankody ◽

Mary Kwok ◽

Elisabet E. Manasanch ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Myeloma ◽

Bone Marrow ◽

Flow Cytometry ◽

High Risk ◽

Minimal Residual Disease ◽

Residual Disease ◽

Color Flow ◽

Smoldering Multiple Myeloma ◽

Generation Sequencing ◽

Minimal Residual

Abstract BACKGROUND: Early treatment with lenalidomide and dexamethasone delays progression and increases overall survival in patients with high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma. The addition of the selective proteasome inhibitor carfilzomib to a lenalidomide and dexamethasone backbone has proven effective in patients with newly-diagnosed multiple myeloma; this combination may allow patients with high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma to obtain deep and durable responses. METHODS: In this phase 2 pilot study, patients with high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma received eight 28-day cycles of induction therapy with carfilzomib (at a dose of 20/36 mg per square meter on days 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, and 16), lenalidomide (at a dose of 25 mg on days 1–21), and dexamethasone (at a dose of 10 or 20 mg on days 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, and 23). Patients achieving stable disease or better after combination therapy received 2 years of maintenance therapy with lenalidomide. Minimal residual disease was assessed with multi-color flow cytometry, next-generation sequencing by the LymphoSIGHT method, and fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography-computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT). Myeloma clonotypes were identified in genomic DNA obtained from CD138+ bone marrow cell lysate or cell-free bone marrow aspirate at baseline for each patient based on their high frequency within the B-cell repertoire. Per study protocol, minimal residual disease assessment by next-generation sequencing, multi-color flow cytometry and FDG-PET/CT was repeated when patients achieved a complete response or completed 8 cycles of induction treatment. A sample size of 12 evaluable patients was calculated as being minimally necessary based on the following probability calculations: If the true probability of a very good partial response was 20% or 50%, we calculated that there would be a 7.3% or 80.6% probability, respectively, if 5 or more patients exhibiting a very good partial response (VGPR). Thus, if 5 or more patients out of 12 achieved a very good partial response, there would be strong evidence that the true probability of a VGPR was 50% or more. RESULTS: Twelve patients were enrolled. All 11 patients (100%) who completed 8 cycles of combination therapy obtained VGPR or better (primary end point). Minimal residual disease assessment by next-generation sequencing was performed on bone marrow supernatant to detect cell-free myeloma clonotypes, while flow cytometry analysis utilized bone marrow cells. Overall (N=12), 100% of patients achieved a complete response or better over the study period, including 11 patients (92%) negative for minimal residual disease based on multi-color flow cytometry. Based on next-generation sequencing, two of the 12 patients were positive for minimal residual disease in the bone marrow supernatant; one of these two patients was also positive for minimal residual disease based on multi-color flow cytometry in the bone marrow cells. Information regarding longitudinal minimal residual disease status will be available and presented at the meeting. Adverse events were manageable. CONCLUSIONS: Early treatment with carfilzomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone was associated with high rates of complete response and minimal residual disease negativity by multi-color flow cytometry, next-generation sequencing, and FDG-PET/CT in patients with high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma. Disclosures Landgren: Onyx Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Medscape: Consultancy; Millennium Pharmaceuticals: Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC), Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC) Other. Off Label Use: Carfilzomib and lenalidomide for high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma.

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Retrospective Analysis of Minimal Residual Disease Testing By High Throughput Immunosequencing Versus High Sensitivity Flow Cytometry in Multiple Myeloma

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2021-154418 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 1625-1625

Author(s):

Anwar Khan ◽

Nagehan Pakasticali ◽

Omar Fathalla ◽

Taiga Nishihori ◽

Mohammad O Hussaini

Keyword(s):

Multiple Myeloma ◽

Flow Cytometry ◽

Minimal Residual Disease ◽

Correlation Coefficient ◽

Research Funding ◽

Residual Disease ◽

High Sensitivity ◽

Spearman Correlation ◽

Color Flow ◽

Minimal Residual

Abstract Introduction: Detection of minimal residual disease (MRD) is one of the strongest predictors of outcome in multiple myeloma (MM). Until recently, the most commonly available method to detect MRD in clinical practice has been high sensitivity flow cytometry (FC) which can detect MRD with at 10 -5 sensitivity. In recent years, next-generation sequencing (NGS) has become a viable method to assess the MRD in MM patients with a 10 -6 sensitivity. NGS appears to have some advantages over HC-FC by circumventing subjectivity of analysis. However, real-world comparison between these two methodologies in the literature is limited and is important to inform daily hematopathology and oncology ordering practices. Methods: We retrospectively identified all cases of MM with NGS MRD data from bone marrow specimens at the Moffitt Cancer Center and collated corresponding flow MRD data and clinical data (OS, patient demographics) electronically and via chart review. 10-color flow cytometry was performed on a Gallios System and analyzed on Kaluza (Beckman Coulter, IN). Two million events were collected on all cells. Validated lower limit of detection was at least 0.01%. Antibodies included CD28, CD81, CD56, CD138, CD319, CD20, CD19, CD117, CD38, CD45, CD27, CD200 (BD, Biolegend, Beckman Coulter). clonoSEQ ® (Adaptive Biotechnologies, Seattle, WA) testing was performed which uses multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and NGS to identify, characterize, and monitor clonotypes of immunoglobulin (Ig) IgH (V-J), IgH (D-J), IgK, and IgL receptor gene sequences, and translocated BCL1/IgH (J) and BCL2/IgH (J) sequences Statistical analysis was performed by Spearman correlation coefficient and Kaplan-Meier analysis. Results: 192 samples from 122 unique patients were identified that had both NGS and FC data performed on the same sample. FC+ values ranged from 1x10 -7 to 0.39. NGS+ values ranged from 2.3 x 10 -7 to 0.15. Spearman correlation coefficient showed moderate concordance between NGS and FC at r=0.67 (p<0.001). Six samples were positive by FC (mean tumor burden (MTB)= 0.0007) but missed by NGS; whereas 59 samples were positive by NGS (MTB= 0.002) but missed by flow cytometry. Two cases by FC were equivocal and these were both definitively designated as MRD+ by NGS. Overall survival was worse for MRD+ (by NGS or FC) vs MRD(-) (Figure 1). Conclusion: Our study confirms the importance of MRD detection in MM and shows the robust utility of NGS for MRD detection in routine hematopathology practice. While both FC and NGS are complementary given that each can potentially detect MRD missed by another method, the data supports the increased sensitivity of NGS over FC. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Nishihori: Novartis: Research Funding; Karyopharm: Research Funding. Hussaini: Stemeline Therapeutics: Honoraria.

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Heavy and Light Chain Monitoring in High Risk Smoldering Multiple Myeloma Patients Included in the GEM-CESAR Trial: Comparison with Conventional and Minimal Residual Disease IMWG Response Assessment

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2019-128655 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 1852-1852

Author(s):

Noemi Puig ◽

Teresa Contreras ◽

Bruno Paiva ◽

María Teresa Cedena ◽

José J Pérez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Myeloma ◽

Bone Marrow ◽

High Risk ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Research Funding ◽

Residual Disease ◽

Response Assessment ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Minimal Residual

Introduction: The GEM-CESAR trial is a potentially curative strategy for high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma (HRsMM) patients (pts) in which the primary endpoint is the achievement of bone marrow minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity. However, other methods of disease evaluation in serum such as heavy+light chain (HLC) assessment, with a potential complementary value to the IMWG response criteria, have also been tested. Aim: To evaluate the performance of HLC assay in HRsMM pts at diagnosis and after consolidation, comparing the results with standard serological methods and Next Generation Flow (NGF) for the assessment of bone marrow MRD. Patients and Methods: Ninety HRsMM pts included in the GEM-CESAR trial received six 4-weeks cycles of carfilzomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone followed by high dose melphalan and 2 further cycles of consolidation with the same regimen. All pts received maintenance treatment with lenalidomide for up to 2 years. SPEP and IFE were performed using standard procedures. Serum IgGk, IgGl, IgAk and IgAl HLC concentrations were measured using Hevylite (The Binding Site Group Ltd, Birmingham, UK) on a SPA PLUS turbidimeter. HLC concentrations and ratios were considered abnormal if they were outside the 95% reference ranges provided by the manufacturer. MRD was analyzed by flow cytometry following EuroFlow recommendations (sensitivity, 2x10-6). Standard response assignment was carried out as per the IMWG guidelines. Hevylite responses were assigned and HLC-pair suppression was defined as in Michalet et al (Leukemia 2018). Results: Out of 90 HRsMM pts, 75 had monoclonal intact immunoglobulin and samples available at diagnosis (50 IgG and 25 IgA). HLC ratio was abnormal in 98% of IgG pts and in 100% of IgA pts. Response assessment by Hevylite and standard IMWG criteria were available in 62 pts post-consolidation (Table 1). A good agreement was found between the two methods (kappa quadratic weighting = 0,6327 (0,4016 - 0,8638)). Among 46 pts with assigned CR as per the IMWG response criteria, there were 3 and 8 pts in PR and VGPR according to the Hevylite method, respectively. In 62 cases, paired Hevylite and MRD assessment data were available. Concordant results were found in 72.5% of cases (45/62; HLC+/NGF+ in 15 and HLC-/NGF- in 30 cases) while in the remaining 27.4% of cases results were discordant (17/62; HLC-/NGF+ in 6 and HLC+/NGF- in 11 cases). Post-consolidation, 24, 25.8 and 42.3% of the 62 samples were positive by SPEP, NGF and Hevylite, respectively. HLC-pair suppression was identified in 13/62 pts; 10 had severe HLC-pair suppression at the end of consolidation. After a median follow-up of 32 months (8-128), 93% of pts remain alive and progression-free. Three patients that have already progressed had their responses assessed post-consolidation. The first pt was assigned VGPR by the standard IMWG criteria and PR by Hevylite and was MRD positive by NGF; the second pt was assigned CR by IMWG criteria and Hevylite but had severe HLC-pair immunosuppression and was MRD positive by NGF; the third pt was in CR by IMWG and HLC criteria and was MRD positive by MFC. Conclusions: Moderate agreement was found between response assessment by Hevylite and the standard IMWG methods as well as between Hevylite and MRD assessment by NGF. Most discordances were a result of Hevylite detecting disease in samples negative by the standard methods, but longer follow-up is needed to ascertain its clinical value. HLC assessment could have anticipated the progression noted in 2 (out of 3) patients. Disclosures Puig: Takeda, Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria; The Binding Site: Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Paiva:Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Roche and Sanofi: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene, Janssen, Sanofi and Takeda: Consultancy. Rodriguez Otero:Kite Pharma: Consultancy; Celgene Corporation: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; BMS: Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy. Oriol:Celgene, Amgen, Takeda, Jansse: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau. Rios:Janssen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Alegre:Celgene, Amgen, Janssen, Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. de la Rubia:Amgen: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy; AbbVie: Consultancy. De Arriba:Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria. Ocio:Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Sanofi: Research Funding; BMS: Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria; Array Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Pharmamar: Consultancy; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy; Mundipharma: Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria; AbbVie: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria. Bladé:Janssen, Celgene, Amgen, Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Irctures: Honoraria. Mateos:Janssen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pharmamar: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; GSK: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Abbvie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; EDO: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Adaptive: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

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The Prognostic Significance of Minimal Residual Disease and Possibility of Its Correction in Multiple Myeloma

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2018-99-118457 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 5751-5751

Author(s):

Andrey Garifullin ◽

Sergei Voloshin ◽

Alexey Kuvshinov ◽

Anastasiya Kuzyaeva ◽

Alexander Sсhmidt ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Myeloma ◽

Bone Marrow ◽

Flow Cytometry ◽

High Risk ◽

Minimal Residual Disease ◽

Induction Therapy ◽

Residual Disease ◽

Pet Ct ◽

Minimal Residual

Abstract Introduction. Most patients with multiple myeloma (MM) are considered to be incurable, and relapse owing to minimal residual disease (MRD) is the main cause of death among these patients, the optimal methodology to assess MRD is not clear. The results of previous studies demonstrated the potential of multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) and (PET-CT) in evaluation of MRD in MM. MRD monitoring should be applied in prospective clinical trials to compare and evaluate the efficacy of different treatment strategies, particularly in the consolidation and maintenance settings. The impact of MRD negativity is important, but further studies are needed to quantify the pharmacoeconomic and quality-of-life differences between early and delayed transplant strategies. Therefore, with the currently available evidence, upfront autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is standard of care regardless of MRD status. Aim. We are aiming to determine the role of MRD and role of autologous stem cells transplantation in MM. Materials and methods. We`ve recently started a prospective one-center pilot study in subjects with MM. We analyzed 18 transplant-eligible patients with MM (the median age is 57 years, a male/female ratio is 3.5:1).The induction therapy Bortezomib-based only regimens was used in 12/18 (67%) patients, combination of Bortezomib-Immunomodulator-based regimens - in 6/18 (33%). High dose therapy (Mel200) and ASCT is carried out on 100% patients. The standard risk was established on 15 patients, 1 patient has an intermediate risk and 2 patients have high risk according to mSMART 2.0 stratification. The MFC MRD status of bone marrow was evaluated after 4-6 cycles of induction therapy and after ASCT on 5-color flow cytometry with use anti- CD38, CD138, CD45, CD19, CD20, CD27, CD56 and CD117 antibodies. We were based on two levels: MFC MRD- (<10-4) and MFC MRD- (<10-5) for assessing the significance of factors that affect MRD and for identifying the prognostic potential of MRD-negative status. The evaluation of MRD was carried out by genetic (cytogenetic and FISH) analysis of bone marrow plasma cells and PET-CT with 18-FDG before ASCT and on 100 day post ASCT. The results. The MFC MRD- (<10-4) before carrying out an ASCT reached 22.2% (4/18), the MFC MRD- (<10-5) - 0% and was not depended on the variant of pre-transplantation regimen. After the ASCT had been carried out there was a tendency to decrease the tumor burden in bone marrow from 0.65% to 0.1% and to increase the frequency of MFC MRD- (<10-4) status to 44.4% (8/18), of which MFC MRD- (<10-5) was 16.7% (3/18). MRD status was determined before ASCT and after ASCT by MFC and FISH in patients with high risk. The use of maintenance therapy with bortezomib (n = 5) or lenalidomide (n = 13) did not increase the frequency of MRD status. The PFS median in MFC MRD+ (>10-4) group was 23 months, in the MFC MRD- (<10-4) was not achieved; 2-year PFS was 43% and 100%, respectively (p=.04) We compared PFC between MFC MRD+ (>10-4) before ASCT (n = 4) and MFC MRD- (<10-4) after ASCT (n = 6) to assess the effect of ASCT in MM. The median PFS was not reached in both groups; 2-year PFS was 67% and 100%, respectively. The reliable difference between PFS in MFC MRD- (10-4-10-5) group and MFC MRD- (<10-5) was absent: the median of PFS was not achieved in both groups. PET-CT has been tested on 15 patients, PET-CT- response was achieved in 53% (8/15) patients. The PFS median in PET-CT+ group and PET-CT- group was not achieved. The 2-year PFS was higher in PET-CT+ group then PET-CT- probably due to patients with MFC MRD-. The 2-year PFS in «MFC MRD-PET-CT-» group was 100% to 55% in other patients. Conclusion. Carrying out ASCT demonstrated a tendency to increase the percentage of MFC MRD negative responses and improvement of PFS. The use of MFC in evaluation of MRD should be complemented with PET-CT and genetic methods for further analysis of the MFC MRD role status on MM patients. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Prognostic Impact of Minimal Residual Disease By ASO-RQ-PCR in Multiple Myeloma: A Pooled Analysis of 2 Phase III Studies in Patients Treated with Lenalidomide after Front-Line Therapy

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v128.22.4409.4409 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 128 (22) ◽

pp. 4409-4409 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Stefania Oliva ◽

Manuela Gambella ◽

Alessandra Larocca ◽

Stefano Spada ◽

Eleonora Marzanati ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Myeloma ◽

High Risk ◽

Minimal Residual Disease ◽

Research Funding ◽

Residual Disease ◽

Tumor Burden ◽

Phase Iii ◽

Standard Risk ◽

Minimal Residual

Abstract Background: The prognostic utility of minimal residual disease (MRD) analysis in multiple myeloma (MM) patients has been well described in the last few years. The role of prolonged maintenance therapy even in persistent MRD negative patients is still unclear. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of MRD by allelic-specific oligonucleotide real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (ASO-RQ-PCR) as predictor of progression-free survival (PFS) in newly diagnosed MM (NDMM) patients receiving Lenalidomide maintenance after frontline treatment. Patients and Methods: NDMM patients enrolled in the RV-MM-EMN-441 (NCT01091831) and the RV-MM-COOP-0556 (EMN02/HO95 MM) phase III trials achieving ≥ very good partial response (VGPR) after consolidation/intensification were included in the pooled MRD molecular analysis. After induction therapy, patients in the RV-MM-EMN-441 study were randomized to Cyclophosphamide-Lenalidomide-Dexamethasone (CRD) or Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation (ASCT); patients in the RV-MM-COOP-0556 were randomized to Bortezomib-Melphalan-Prednisone (VMP) vs ASCT (Gay F et al Lancet Oncol 2016, Cavo M et al J Clin Oncol 34, 2016 abstr 8000). All patients received Lenalidomide maintenance until progression or intolerance. MRD analysis was performed on bone marrow (BM) aspirates after intensification/consolidation, after 6 courses of maintenance and then every 6 months until clinical relapse. Patient-specific IgH rearrangements were amplified and directly sequenced from genomic DNA at diagnosis. IgH-based MRD detection by ASO-RQ-PCR was performed using an AbiPrism7900HT.MRD analysis was interpreted following the Euro-MRD guidelines(van der Velden VH et al. Leukemia 2007). Molecular-CR (m-CR) was defined as two consecutive negative MRD results by ASO-RQ-PCR with minimal sensitivity of 10−5. PFS was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method, curves were compared with the log-rank test. Multivariate Cox model was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: a total of 105 patients entered the molecular MRD pooled study: a specific IgH molecular marker was identified in 73 patients (70%), 32 (30%) did not obtain a successful sequencing. Median age was 57 years (37-65); 30 (41%) patients had International Staging System (ISS) stage I, 33 (45%) stage II and 10 (14%) stage III. FISH risk profile was standard in 43 (59%) patients, high in 24 (33%) and not available in 6 (8%). Thirty-eight (52%) patients did not receive ASCT consolidation and 35 (48%) underwent ASCT. After consolidation/intensification 33/73 (45%) patients achieved m-CR: 19/35 (54%) ASCT patients and 14/38 (37%) no ASCT patients. The impact of m-CR on outcome after consolidation was explored: after a median follow-up of 44 months, median PFS was 48.8 months versus not reached in no m-CR vs m-CR patients, respectively (p=0.01). Lenalidomide maintenance further improved depth of MRD response: 11/40 (27%) MRD positive patients after consolidation obtained a m-CR during maintenance and a median of 2 natural logarithms of tumor burden reduction was recorded. In multivariable Cox analysis the risk of progression/death was higher for ISS stage II/III versus I (HR, 2.91, CI: 1.01-8.41, p=0.048), high-risk FISH versus standard-risk (HR, 2.23 CI: 0.81-6.10, p=0.12), age > 60 years versus ≤60 years (HR: 3.55, CI: 1.26-10.04, p=0.017) and patients who did not achieve m-CR during treatment versus patients who did (HR, 7.65 CI: 2.77-21.11, p<0.001). We identified a very high risk group defined by high risk FISH at diagnosis and persistent MRD positivity, with a median PFS of 29.4 months (figure1). Conclusions: MRD status by ASO-RQ-PCR is a predictor of outcome significantly superior to standard risk factors in NDMM patients and the achievement of m-CR seems to overcome the high risk FISH status in PFS analysis. Molecular CR rate and reduction of tumor burden obtained after consolidation can be enhanced with Lenalidomide maintenance. Based on these preliminary results, the assessment and monitoring of MRD should be suggested as a better prognostic indicator than CR, and the potential role of a MRD-guided therapy should be investigated in future prospective trials. Figure 1 PFS of patients stratified by MRD status (molecular-CR vs no molecular-CR) and FISH (high risk vs standard risk) Figure 1. PFS of patients stratified by MRD status (molecular-CR vs no molecular-CR) and FISH (high risk vs standard risk) Disclosures Oliva: Celgene: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria. Larocca:Amgen, Celgene, BMS, Janssen-Cilag: Honoraria. Offidani:Janssen: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding. Palumbo:Janssen Cilag: Honoraria; Takeda: Employment, Honoraria. Boccadoro:Sanofi, Celgene, Amgen, Janssen, Novartis, Abbivie, BMS: Honoraria; Celgene, Janssen, Amgen, BMS, Mundipharma, Novartis, Sanofi: Research Funding.

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Persistent bone marrow minimal residual disease as a “high‐risk” disease feature in multiple myeloma

American Journal of Hematology ◽

10.1002/ajh.26255 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Meera Mohan ◽

Aniko Szabo ◽

Naveen Yarlagadda ◽

Sravani Gundarlapalli ◽

Sharmilan Thanendrarajan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Myeloma ◽

Bone Marrow ◽

High Risk ◽

Minimal Residual Disease ◽

Residual Disease ◽

High Risk Disease ◽

Minimal Residual

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Predicting Risk of Progression in Relapsed Multiple Myeloma Using Minimal Residual Disease Status and Focal Lesion Assessment with PET-CT

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2020-138877 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 136 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 24-24

Author(s):

David Baker ◽

Milan Bimali ◽

Luis Carrillo ◽

Archana Sachedina ◽

Daisy Alapat ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Myeloma ◽

High Risk ◽

Minimal Residual Disease ◽

Residual Disease ◽

Response To Therapy ◽

Focal Lesion ◽

Prognostic Impact ◽

Focal Lesions ◽

Pet Ct ◽

Minimal Residual

Introduction - Despite improvement in Multiple Myeloma (MM) therapy, most patients will eventually experience disease relapse. The course of relapsed MM can be quite heterogeneous with some patients achieving long-term disease control while others experience rapid successive relapses with short survival. Other than genetic features, there is currently a lack of prognostic markers to guide intensity and duration of therapy in relapsed MM. In the present study, we elucidate the prognostic value of minimal residual disease (MRD) and focal lesion assessment by PET-CT in relapsed patients. Methods- We investigated 120 MM patients that were diagnosed between 2000-2016 and treated on our Total Therapy (TT) 2-6 protocols, which incorporated multi-agent chemotherapy and tandem transplantation. All 120 patients had achieved a complete remission (CR) after TT and relapsed subsequently after a median of 5 years (0.9-18). Focal lesions were assessed with PET-CT in 112 patients at diagnosis and relapse. Other features investigated included gene expression analysis (GEP) defined by the UAMS GEP70 at diagnosis and relapse (n=75) and FISH at diagnosis (n=84). Once treatment for relapsed disease was initiated, response to therapy, including sequential measurement of MRD by conventional 8 color flow cytometry with a sensitivity of 10-5 was assessed at least every 6-12 months. MM therapy after progression was directed by the treating physician and consisted mostly of combination therapy of a Proteasome Inhibitor with an IMiD and Dexamethasone (62%) or a Daratumumab combination (25%) or other (13%). Results- Median age at first progression was 65 years and median follow up time was post-relapse was 19 months (range 2.2-65 months). High risk FISH features, including deletion 17p, 1q amplification, t(4;14) and t(14;16) were present in 29% (25/84) of the patients, but were limited in predicting worse PFS post-relapse (p=0.3) and OS (p= 0.5); 75 patients had GEP performed at diagnosis and relapse showing a significant increase (p<0.01) of GEP70 defined high risk at relapse (36%, 26/75) compared to diagnosis (13%, 10/75). GEP70 defined high risk at relapse was significantly predictive of worse PFS (9 months vs 26 months; p=<0.01) and OS (22 months for vs not reached for GEP70 low risk; p<0.01). Focal lesions by PET-CT were found in 45% (50/111) of patients at relapse, 70% (35/50) of those had also focal lesions present at diagnosis. Similar to focal lesion assessment at diagnosis, the presence of at least 3 PET avid focal lesions at relapse confers worse PFS (Median PFS: 12 vs 25 months; p=0.1) and OS (median OS: 25 vs 52 months; p=0.05), albeit the results did not quite reach significance. Response assessment after initiation of treatment was as following: 51% (61/119) patients achieved a CR/sCR, 19% (23/119) achieved a VGPR, 14% (17/119) achieved a PR and 16% (19/119) achieved less than a PR. The achievement of MRD negativity (38%, n= 46/120) was a significant predictor of better PFS (NR vs 15 months; p=<0.01) and OS (NR vs 45 months, p=<0.01). Median time to the achievement of MRD negativity was 12.8 months (range: 1.9 to 36 months). Cox regression model showed that GEP70 defined risk (p<0.01, p<0.01), MRD assessment (p=0.02, p<0.01), age at progression (p=0.02, p<0.01) and the presence of at least 3 focal lesions by PET-CT (p=0.07, p<0.01) were most prognostic for worse PFS and OS in relapsed MM respectively. Time from initial diagnosis to first disease progression had a significant prognostic impact on PFS after first relapse (p=0.04), but not OS (p=0.35). Conclusion- Current clinical practice for relapsed MM incorporates mainly cytogenetic features that on their own seem to have limited predictive value. Our study suggests that risk classification and prognostication of relapsed MM can be significantly improved by using GEP and focal lesion assessment. Furthermore, achievement of MRD negativity should be the goal in relapsed MM therapy to improve clinical outcome. Disclosures van Rhee: EUSA: Consultancy; CDCN: Consultancy; Karyopharm: Consultancy; Adaptive Biotech: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy.

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Combination of Flow Cytometry and Functional Imaging for Monitoring of Residual Disease in Myeloma

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2018-99-119249 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 3185-3185

Author(s):

Leo Rasche ◽

Daisy Alapat ◽

Manoj Kumar ◽

Grant Gershner ◽

James E McDonald ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Myeloma ◽

Flow Cytometry ◽

Functional Imaging ◽

Late Stage ◽

Salvage Therapy ◽

Research Funding ◽

Residual Disease ◽

Background Suppression ◽

Imaging Method ◽

Medical Sciences

Abstract Introduction The iliac crest is the usual sampling site for minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring in Multiple Myeloma (MM). However, the disease distribution in the bone marrow (BM) is often heterogeneous. Functional imaging can be used to complement MRD detection at a single site, thereby accounting for asymmetrically distributed disease. Diffusion weighted MRI with background suppression (DWIBS) is a novel functional imaging method that can detect disease in a higher proportion of newly diagnosed MM (NDMM) patients than 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET), as it is independent of the tumor metabolism. Yet, its performance for monitoring of residual disease has not been described. The aims of this study were 1) to compare DWIBS to PET for the detection of residual disease in patients achieving complete remission (CR), and 2) to test whether DWIBS and PET could complement MRD flow cytometry with a sensitivity of 1x10-5. To address these aims, we investigated 168 NDMM and 33 relapsed patients for whom DWIBS, PET, and MRD were available at the onset of CR during first-line and salvage therapy, respectively. Methods All patients signed written consent in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Residual focal lesions (FLs) were defined as well delineated focal intensities above the surrounding BM background. For DWIBS FLs were considered if restriction could be confirmed on ADC maps. 8-color MRD flow cytometry with a limit of detection of 1x10-5 was available for 83 NDMM and all 33 salvage therapy patients. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analyses. PFS time was measured from onset of CR to relapse or death from any cause or censored at the date of last contact. Paired-end whole exome sequencing of CD138-enriched MM cells was performed on an Illumina HiSeq 2500. Mutations were called from BWA aligned sequencing reads using MuTect. Subclonal reconstruction was done using SciClone. Results Compared to PET, DWIBS detected more CR patients with residual FLs (21% vs. 6%), and the concordance between PET and DWIBS was low. Only 6 of the DWIBS-positive patients also presented with FLs in PET. Yet, 5 patients had PET+/DWIBS- FLs, suggesting that the two techniques are complementary. Both, DWIBS+ and PET+ FLs negatively impacted PFS (p<0.05). For 83 patients MRD data were available. Combining MRD and imaging, residual disease was detectable in 53 patients (64%). The best outcome was seen for 30 double negative (MRD-/Imaging-) patients (3 events with a median follow-up of 3.6 years), the worst outcome was seen for 10 double positive (MRD+/Imaging+) patients (median PFS: 2.1 years). Only 4 of 86 patients were MRD-/Imaging+, indicating that residual FLs are rare in MRD-negative NDMM patients at a sensitivity of 1x10-5. A heterogeneous disease distribution is a common feature of late-stage patients. To test if this increased heterogeneity confounded MRD, we investigated a set of 33 heavily pretreated patients who achieved CR during salvage therapy. Combining MRD and imaging data, we detected residual disease in 25 patients (76%). Of note, the proportion of patients, who were MRD-negative but had residual FLs on functional imaging was significantly higher compared to NDMM (8/16 vs 4/34 patients, p=0.01). At the same time, 10 patients (30%) were MRD+ but Imaging-, supporting the idea that a combined MRD/Imaging approach can improve detection of residual disease and should be used in late-stage patients. To obtain insights in the underlying biology, we performed longitudinal multi-region sequencing of a subset of these CR patients. Our findings support the concept of persistence and progression of multiple spatially separated clones in the BM irrespective of being in an MRD-negative CR. Thereby, focal residual disease could be shown to contribute to relapse. Conclusion DWIBS is a promising tool for detection of residual disease and complements PET. The combination of MRD diagnostics and functional imaging improves prediction of outcome, with double-negativity and double positivity defining groups with excellent and dismal PFS, respectively. Prospective trials using this information to tailor therapy are warranted. From a biological perspective, this study highlights the confounding effects of spatial heterogeneity and limited dissemination of clones within the BM on MRD diagnostics. This may especially be true for patients achieving deep responses during salvage therapies. Disclosures Roy Choudhury: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences: Employment, Research Funding. Epstein:University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences: Employment. Barlogie:International Workshop on Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia: Other: travel stipend; Millenium: Consultancy, Research Funding; Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation: Other: travel stipend; ComtecMed- World Congress on Controversies in Hematology: Other: travel stipend; Myeloma Health, LLC: Patents & Royalties: : Co-inventor of patents and patent applications related to use of GEP in cancer medicine licensed to Myeloma Health, LLC; European School of Haematology- International Conference on Multiple Myeloma: Other: travel stipend; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Dana Farber Cancer Institute: Other: travel stipend. Davies:Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria; Abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria. Morgan:Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Research Funding.

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