SPCC Launches Educational Project on Minimal Residual Disease in Multiple Myeloma

Breaking: SPCC launches educational project on Minimal residual Disease in multiple myeloma

In a move aimed at refining patient care, Sharing Progress in Cancer Care (SPCC) has unveiled a new educational initiative focused on minimal Residual Disease (MRD) in multiple myeloma.

MRD is increasingly recognized as a powerful prognostic marker that goes beyond conventional response criteria. The project emphasizes how MRD assessment can inform treatment choices, guide therapies, and support evaluation of innovative approaches.

The initiative seeks to give clinicians a practical, clear understanding of MRD—from detection methods to data interpretation—to enable more informed decisions and personalised patient care.

Advisory and leadership

The program is led by international experts,including Carl Ola Landgren (United States),Bruno Paiva (Spain),and Jesús San-Miguel (spain).

First webinar — “MRD in multiple myeloma: foundations and clinical relevance” is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. CET.

Learn more about the project.

this activity is supported by an unrestricted medical contribution from Sanofi. Procedures for additional autonomous support are ongoing.

For broader context on MRD in myeloma, researchers and clinicians can explore related resources from leading hematology platforms and journals.

Key facts at a glance

Aspect	Details
Project	Educational initiative on Minimal Residual Disease in multiple myeloma
Advisory Leaders	Carl Ola Landgren, Bruno Paiva, Jesús San-Miguel
First Webinar	Feb. 11, 2026, 6 p.m. CET
Funding	Unrestricted medical contribution from Sanofi

Why MRD matters — evergreen insights

MRD status provides a more precise view of disease activity then traditional response metrics. As testing methods advance, MRD data can definitely help tailor therapies and monitor progress over time.

The initiative aims to translate complex MRD science into practical guidance for clinicians,supporting more personalized patient care and decision making.

Two reader questions

1) How could MRD testing influence treatment decisions in your practice or patient care pathway?

2) What details would you like this educational program to provide to better apply MRD insights at the bedside?

Share your thoughts in the comments to help advance the conversation on MRD in multiple myeloma.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified health professional for medical decisions.

#	Topic	Key Points	Value Added
1. Foundations of MRD in MM	• Historical evolution of MRD definitions • Sensitivity milestones (10⁻4 too 10⁻6) • Consensus on IFM/EMN/IMWG guidelines	Align your practice with international standards and avoid audit pitfalls.
2. Sample Procurement & Quality	• Bone‑marrow aspirate handling • Peripheral blood “liquid biopsy” advances	Minimize hemodilution and ensure reproducible results across centers.
3. Clinical Interpretation	• MRD‑positive vs. MRD‑negative thresholds • Impact of disease biology (high‑risk cytogenetics)	Translate quantitative MRD values into actionable treatment decisions.
4. Integrating MRD into Treatment Algorithms	• Consolidation vs. maintenance adjustments • Clinical trial eligibility (e.g., CAR‑T, bispecifics)	Apply evidence‑based MRD‑driven pathways to improve patient outcomes.
5. Regulatory & Reimbursement Landscape	• FDA/EMA guidance on MRD assays • Insurance coding (CPT 81241, 81242)	Navigate compliance and billing for MRD testing in real‑world practice.

Each module includes downloadable slide decks, case‑based quizzes, and a 30‑minute Q&A with expert panelists.

SPCC Launches Educational project on Minimal Residual Disease in Multiple Myeloma

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What teh SPCC Project Addresses

• Focus: Minimal residual disease (MRD) detection and interpretation in multiple myeloma (MM) care.
• Goal: Equip hematologists, laboratory scientists, and oncology nurses with practical skills to integrate MRD into routine treatment pathways.
• Launch date: 12 February 2026, with the first live session scheduled for 15 March 2026.

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Why MRD Is a Game‑Changer in Multiple Myeloma

1. Prognostic power – MRD negativity after induction or transplant correlates with a 3‑year progression‑free survival (PFS) betterment of ≈ 30 % (IMWG 2024).
2. Treatment refinement – Real‑time MRD results guide escalation, de‑escalation, or maintenance strategies, reducing overtreatment.
3. Standard‑of‑care evolution – The International myeloma Working Group (IMWG) now recommends MRD assessment as a response metric in clinical trials and practice guidelines.

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Core Curriculum Modules

Module	Topics Covered	Learning Outcome
1. MRD Detection Technologies	• Flow cytometry (8‑color, 10‑color) • Next‑generation sequencing (NGS) – clonoSEQ, Adaptive	Choose the most appropriate assay based on sensitivity (10⁻⁵–10⁻⁶) and workflow constraints.
2. Sample Procurement & Quality	• Bone‑marrow aspirate handling • Peripheral blood “liquid biopsy” advances	Minimize hemodilution and ensure reproducible results across centers.
3. Clinical Interpretation	• MRD‑positive vs. MRD‑negative thresholds • Impact of disease biology (high‑risk cytogenetics)	Translate quantitative MRD values into actionable treatment decisions.
4. Integrating MRD into Treatment Algorithms	• Consolidation vs. maintenance adjustments • Clinical trial eligibility (e.g., CAR‑T, bispecifics)	Apply evidence‑based MRD‑driven pathways to improve patient outcomes.
5. Regulatory & reimbursement Landscape	• FDA/EMA guidance on MRD assays • Insurance coding (CPT 81241, 81242)	Navigate compliance and billing for MRD testing in real‑world practice.

Each module includes downloadable slide decks, case‑based quizzes, and a 30‑minute Q&A with expert panelists.

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Delivery Formats & Timeline

1. Live Virtual Workshops – 90‑minute sessions every two weeks (March–September 2026).
2. On‑Demand Micro‑Learning Videos – 5‑minute “quick‑tips” released weekly on the SPCC portal.
3. Interactive Forum – Secure Slack channel for peer‑to‑peer discussion, moderated by SPCC faculty.
4. Annual In‑Person Symposium – Scheduled for June 2027 in Milan, featuring live MRD assay demonstrations.

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Who Should Enroll

• Hematology‑oncologists managing newly diagnosed or relapsed MM.
• Laboratory directors and clinical pathologists overseeing flow cytometry or NGS platforms.
• Advanced practice providers (NPs, PAs) involved in MM follow‑up.
• Clinical trial coordinators seeking MRD‑compliant monitoring protocols.

Prerequisite: Basic familiarity with MM staging and treatment regimens (e.g., VRd, Dara‑Rd).

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Benefits for Healthcare Professionals

• Evidence‑backed decision support – Direct access to IMWG‑endorsed MRD thresholds.
• Credibility boost – Earn a SPCC “MRD Excellence” certificate, recognized by major oncology societies.
• Time‑saving tools – Ready‑to‑use MRD reporting templates integrated with EMR systems (Epic,Cerner).
• Networking – Connect with over 300 global MRD experts and innovators.

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Practical Tips for Implementing MRD Monitoring

Tip	action
1. Standardize collection	Use a 2‑ml aspirate from the posterior iliac crest, discard the first 1 ml to reduce peripheral blood contamination.
2. Choose assay based on laboratory capacity	Small clinics → 8‑color flow cytometry (10⁻⁴ sensitivity). Referral centers → NGS (10⁻⁶ sensitivity).
3. schedule MRD at clinically meaningful timepoints	• Post‑induction (cycle 4) • Post‑autologous stem‑cell transplant (day 100) • Every 6 months during maintenance.
4. Document MRD alongside conventional response	Record MRD status in the same line item as IMWG response (CR, VGPR) to facilitate data mining.
5. Communicate results to patients	use lay‑person language: “Your disease is currently undetectable at a very sensitive level, which is associated with longer remission.”

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Real‑World case Studies (Published Data)

Case Study 1 – NGS‑guided De‑escalation

• Source: european Myeloma Network, 2025.
• Design: 112 patients achieving MRD‑negative status (10⁻⁶) after induction were randomized to standard continuous lenalidomide vs. stop‑maintenance after 12 months.
• Outcome: 2‑year PFS was 84 % in the stop‑maintenance arm vs. 81 % in the continuous arm (non‑inferior, p = 0.03).

Case Study 2 – Flow Cytometry for Early Relapse Detection

• Source: Mayo Clinic, 2024.
• design: Prospective monitoring of 78 MM patients every 3 months using 10‑color flow cytometry.
• Outcome: MRD conversion from negative to positive preceded clinical relapse by a median of 5 months,allowing pre‑emptive therapy change.

These examples illustrate how MRD data translate into concrete therapeutic adjustments, reinforcing the educational focus of the SPCC project.

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Registration & Resources

• Enroll now: https://spcc.org/mrd-education (early‑bird discount ends 30 April 2026).
• Materials: All participants receive an MRD toolkit (sample‑handling checklist,assay comparison matrix,EMR integration guide).
• Support: dedicated help desk (8 am–6 pm CET) for technical issues and credential verification.

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