We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
GLOBE SCIENTIFIC, LLC

Download Mobile App




Prognostic Role for Circulating Tumor Cells Reinforced in Myeloma

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 20 Jun 2022

Bone marrow plasma cells (BMPCs) are a marker of disease burden in monoclonal gammopathies and help discriminate among monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, smoldering multiple myeloma, and symptomatic myeloma. More...

Despite the improvement of multiple myeloma (MM) risk assessment, some patients still show dismal outcomes. Retrospective and real-world studies confirmed that the detection of circulating tumor plasma cells (CTC) is a biomarker of adverse outcome.

Hematologists at the University of Torino (Torino, Italy) and their colleagues prospectively assessed CTC at diagnosis of myeloma in the phase II multicenter, randomized FORTE trial, which included transplant-eligible patients younger than 65. Data on CTC analysis included 401 patients, 269 of whom had detectable levels. The median CTC percentage was 0.02%, which corresponded to a median absolute number of 1.24 cells/µL. Median follow-up for the study population was 50 months. CTC were analyzed at diagnosis with two-tube single-platform flow cytometry (sensitivity 4 × 10–5) and minimal residual disease (MRD) was assessed by second-generation multiparameter flow cytometry (sensitivity 10–5).

The team reported that using the 0.07% cutoff, investigators identified 130 patients as CTC-high and 271 as CTC-low. About half of the CTC-low group had undetectable CTCs. Patients in the CTC-high group had lower rates of MRD negativity (42% versus 59%) and lower rates of complete response to induction therapy (43% versus 54%). By multivariable analysis, the CTC-high group had significantly worse progression-free survival (PFS: HR = 2.61) and overall survival (OS: HR = 2.61). The CTC-high group had inferior 4-year PFS (38% versus 69%) and 4-year OS (68% versus 92%). The CTC levels, but not the bone marrow plasma cell levels, affected the outcome. The only factor that reduced the negative impact of CTC-high was the achievement of MRD negativity.

The authors concluded that in multiple myeloma, increasing levels of CTC above an optimal cutoff represent an easy-to-assess, robust, and independent high-risk factor. The achievement of MRD negativity is the most important factor that modulates their negative prognostic impact. The study was published on June 6, 2022 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Related Links:
University of Torino 


Gold Member
Pharmacogenetics Panel
VeriDose Core Panel v2.0
3-Part Differential Hematology Analyzer
Swelab Alfa Plus Sampler
New
Myocardial Infarction Test
Finecare cTn I/NT-proBNP Rapid Quantitative Test
New
Hepatitis A Rapid Test
Anti-HAV IgM Rapid Test Kit
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: Ear wax could be a possible screening medium for Parkinson’s disease (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Earwax Test Accurately Detects Parkinson’s by Identifying Odor Molecules

Current tests for Parkinson’s disease (PD) rely heavily on clinical scales and neuroimaging, which are often subjective, expensive, and ill-suited for routine screening. Since most treatments only slow... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: Cord blood proteomics can identify biomarkers of early-onset neonatal sepsis (Photo courtesy of JCI Insight (2025). DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.193826)

Umbilical Cord Blood Test Can Detect Early Sepsis in Preterm Infants

Diagnosing early onset sepsis (EOS) in preterm infants is particularly difficult due to the lack of specific clinical signs, leading to widespread use of antibiotics while awaiting culture results.... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: NGS can detect one tumor cell among a million healthy cells from a simple blood sample (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

New Tool Detects Breast Cancer Relapses Five Years in Advance

Relapse detection in patients with solid tumors—particularly hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer—remains a major clinical challenge, as many patients initially respond well to treatment but later... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.