MRD-guided treatment for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma

Project 1: Developing MRD-based therapeutic strategy in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma

['FUNDING_P01'] · DANA-FARBER CANCER INST · NIH-11179318

This project tests whether using ultra-sensitive minimal residual disease (MRD) testing after modern four-drug induction can guide whether adding an autologous stem cell transplant gives people with new multiple myeloma deeper, longer remissions.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_P01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorDANA-FARBER CANCER INST (nih funded)
Locations1 site (BOSTON, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11179318 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

If you join, you would get a four-drug induction regimen (isatuximab, carfilzomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone) and have blood/bone marrow checked with very sensitive MRD testing (down to one in a million cells). Patients who meet criteria after induction would be randomized about receiving high-dose therapy with autologous stem cell transplant or not, and then followed over time. The team will compare how often MRD becomes negative, how long MRD negativity lasts, and how that relates to progression-free and overall outcomes. The goal is to learn whether transplant still adds benefit when modern induction already achieves deep remissions.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: People with newly diagnosed, transplant-eligible multiple myeloma who can receive the specific induction regimen would be the best candidates.

Not a fit: People with relapsed disease, those who are not eligible for high‑dose therapy/transplant, or those with a different diagnosis would not be expected to benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could help people achieve longer remissions and might identify who can safely avoid a transplant.

How similar studies have performed: Prior studies show MRD negativity predicts better outcomes and quadruplet regimens raise MRD‑negative rates, but whether adding transplant improves outcomes in MRD‑negative patients remains unproven.

Where this research is happening

BOSTON, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.