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PERSEUS and ADVANCE Updates: Evolving Approaches to MRD-Driven Myeloma Care

Panelists discuss how the PERSEUS trial’s subgroup analysis reinforced that sustained minimal residual disease negativity predicts better long-term outcomes and demonstrated the potential for treatment de-escalation at the 2-year mark, while other trials like Advance showed dramatic increases in MRD negativity rates with quadruplet therapy.

The PERSEUS trial subgroup analysis revealed that patients achieving minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity consistently demonstrated superior long-term outcomes, with the concept of “rich get richer” applying across different response depths and time points. A key innovation in PERSEUS was the emphasis on sustained MRD negativity and treatment de-escalation, with daratumumab maintenance discontinued at 2 years for patients maintaining MRD negative status. This approach provides a framework for achieving treatment-free intervals even within continuous therapy models.

The advanced trial studying carfilzomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone with or without daratumumab showed a 2.5-fold increase in MRD negativity rates at 10–5 level with the 4-drug regimen. This trial allowed for optional transplantation based on patient response, representing a flexible treatment approach that accommodates individual patient circumstances and preferences while maintaining high efficacy standards.

Comparative modeling between PERSEUS and CEPHEUS trials suggests significantly different progression-free survival outcomes (PFS), with transplant-containing regimens potentially offering 17- to 20-year median PFS compared to approximately half that duration for non-transplant approaches. These findings highlight the continued importance of autologous stem cell transplantation in appropriate patients while supporting intensive therapy for those unable to undergo transplantation. The data emphasizes the need for careful patient selection and individualized treatment planning.

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