The detection of Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) by flow cytometry: lessons learned from the validation of Multiple Myeloma MRD assay for use in multi-centric clinical trials

The detection of Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) by flow cytometry: lessons learned from the validation of Multiple Myeloma MRD assay for use in multi-centric clinical trials
Flow Cytometry is a complex technology that allows multiparametric measurements on high numbers of single cells from complex mixtures. Given its high-throughput, flow cytometry is a highly sensitive technique that can be used for the detection of very rare cell populations. It is of no surprise that in the clinical field of cytometry, it has become a platform of choice for the detection of minimal residual disease (MRD) in various types of leukemia. The determination of MRD in cancer patients is of great clinical interest as it can be used as a good prognostic indicator of cancer and likelihood to relapse; thus MRD detection is increasingly being proposed as a potential surrogate endpoint for clinical trials. In the recent years, Labcorp Central Laboratory Services has developed and validated highly sensitive flow cytometry assays for MRD detection in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), Chronic Lymphoid Leukemia (CLL) and Multiple Myeloma (MM) for primary/secondary endpoint use in clinical trials. In this presentation, Christèle will review the general use of flow cytometry in MRD detection in clinical trials and will take the audience through the CAP/CLIA validation of Labcorp MM MRD flow cytometry assay.