Stopping maintenance therapy in patients with minimal residual disease-negative multiple myeloma

Free From Maintenance Drug Therapy in Multiple Myeloma (The FREEDMM Trial): A Pilot Study of Minimal Residual Disease (MRD)-Driven Discontinuation of Maintenance (HEME-20)

Phase 1 Interventional University of Illinois at Chicago · NCT05192122

This study is testing whether patients with minimal residual disease-negative multiple myeloma can safely stop their maintenance therapy after a stem cell transplant to see how it affects their health and quality of life.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 1
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment50 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Illinois at Chicago Academic / other
Locations1 site (Chicago, Illinois)
Trial IDNCT05192122 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This pilot study evaluates the safety and risk of disease progression in patients with minimal residual disease (MRD)-negative multiple myeloma who discontinue maintenance therapy after undergoing autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). Eligible participants must have completed at least two years of maintenance therapy and achieved a very good partial response or complete response. The study involves MRD testing through next-generation sequencing to confirm eligibility, followed by monitoring for disease progression and quality of life assessments. Patients who remain MRD-positive will continue standard maintenance therapy.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with multiple myeloma who are MRD-negative after at least two years of maintenance therapy post-ASCT.

Not a fit: Patients with MRD-positive status or those with other serious conditions like plasma cell leukemia or AL amyloidosis may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could allow certain patients to safely discontinue maintenance therapy, potentially reducing treatment burden and side effects.

How similar studies have performed: While this approach is novel in assessing the discontinuation of maintenance therapy in MRD-negative patients, similar studies have shown promising results in managing multiple myeloma.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* ECOG Performance Status equal to or less than 2 within 30 days prior to registration
* Revised International Staging System (R-ISS) I,2 or 3
* Patients with multiple myeloma as defined by IMWG
* Received at least 2 years of post ASCT maintenance (patients may have received any number of prior lines of therapy).
* Maintenance therapy is defined as any anti-myeloma therapy initiated after ASCT to prevent disease recurrence and prolong time in remission (i.e., lenalidomide, bortezomib, RVD, etc.)
* Disease response is VGPR or CR at the time of enrollment as defined by IMWG criteria.
* Patients or their legally authorized representative must be able to understand and be willing to sign a voluntary informed consent form and agree to compliance with the protocol schedule; with the knowledge that they may withdraw consent at any time without impact on future medical care

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients with plasma cell leukemia, AL amyloidosis or Polyneuropathy, Organomegaly, Endocrinopathy, Monoclonal protein, Skin (POEMS) syndrome
* Prior organ transplant or condition requiring immunosuppressive therapy
* Prior allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant
* Treatment with any investigational drug within 30 days prior to enrollment
* Unable to sign an informed consent or their legally authorized represnetative

Where this trial is running

Chicago, Illinois

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Multiple Myeloma
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.