Table 1

Flow cytometry of the bone marrow to detect MRD in multiple myeloma: current practice based on a survey of 30 major institutions in the United States

Definition of MRD in bone marrow
InstitutionNumber of events acquired in MRD testingMinimum number of abnormal plasma cells needed to call MRDMaximum possible sensitivity, %*Number of antigens studiedCD38+, CD138+ with monoclonal light chainsCD38+, CD138+, CD19−, CD45−CD38+, CD138+, CD19−, CD45−, CD56+CD38+, CD138+ with dim or negative CD27Other
3 000 000-4 000 000 20 0.0005 12 ×   × × 
1 800 000 50 0.003 ×    × 
1 000 000 50 0.005  × × ×  
500 000 25 0.005 ×    × 
500 000 NA  ×     
300 000-500 000 30-35 0.006 × × ×   
250 000-500 000 50 0.01 10 × × × ×  
100 000 20 0.02 10 × × ×  × 
100 000 Variable NA  ×   × 
10 Variable 20 NA  × ×   
11 NA 30 NA ×  ×   
12-26 Do not perform MRD testing Do not perform MRD testing 
27-30 Did not respond Did not respond 
Definition of MRD in bone marrow
InstitutionNumber of events acquired in MRD testingMinimum number of abnormal plasma cells needed to call MRDMaximum possible sensitivity, %*Number of antigens studiedCD38+, CD138+ with monoclonal light chainsCD38+, CD138+, CD19−, CD45−CD38+, CD138+, CD19−, CD45−, CD56+CD38+, CD138+ with dim or negative CD27Other
3 000 000-4 000 000 20 0.0005 12 ×   × × 
1 800 000 50 0.003 ×    × 
1 000 000 50 0.005  × × ×  
500 000 25 0.005 ×    × 
500 000 NA  ×     
300 000-500 000 30-35 0.006 × × ×   
250 000-500 000 50 0.01 10 × × × ×  
100 000 20 0.02 10 × × ×  × 
100 000 Variable NA  ×   × 
10 Variable 20 NA  × ×   
11 NA 30 NA ×  ×   
12-26 Do not perform MRD testing Do not perform MRD testing 
27-30 Did not respond Did not respond 

NA, not applicable.

*

Maximum possible sensitivity determined by dividing the minimum number of abnormal plasma cells needs to call MRD by the number of events acquired in MRD testing (ie, a lower percentage indicates a more sensitive approach). For institutions with a range, the lowest number of minimum abnormal plasma cells needed and the highest number of events acquired were used for the calculation.

Pathologist dependent.

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