IMS-IMWG high-risk myeloma definition outperforms older high-risk criteria
The IMS-IMWG consensus genomic definition for high-risk multiple myeloma (HRMM) performed better at predicting poor survival outcomes in patients who received quadruplet-based induction and hematopoietic stem cell transplant, compared with an older definition of HRMM based on the presence of t(4;14), t(14;16), or del(17p). In a report published in the British Journal of Haematology, the authors concluded that the IMS-IMWG HRMM criteria better identified patients at risk of early relapse.

Clinical scores for predicting toxicities and outcomes with bispecific T-cell engagers
An analysis, reported in Blood Cancer Discovery, showed that clinical scores developed for predicting CAR-T therapy-associated toxicities and outcomes —  CAR-HEMATOTOX and modified Endothelial Activation and Stress Index (m-EASIX) — can also help identify patients at risk of toxicities following treatment with bispecific T-cell engagers.

Review outlines advances and emerging approaches in MRD detection in myeloma
Minimal residual disease (MRD) is a prognostic indicator and surrogate for survival in multiple myeloma (MM). The current approach for MRD detection relies on bone marrow-based next-generation flow/sequencing, which has limitations. A review in Current Hematology Malignancy Reports explores new and emerging approaches for MRD detection in MM.

Assessment of MRD is increasing in myeloma clinical trials
Adoption of MRD assessments in interventional and observational MM clinical trials has increased over the past decade, according to a report in the European Journal of Haematology. MRD was the primary outcome in 28.4% of the trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov between 2014 and 2025, with most studies assessing MRD at a sensitivity of one in 100,000 cells.

Potential CD38-targeted PET tracer developed for myeloma imaging
A Copper-64 (⁶⁴Cu)-based PET tracer for imaging CD38-expressing myeloma cells was developed by researchers at the University of Washington. An article in Bioconjugate Chemistry describes the design, synthesis, properties, and performance of the CD38-targeted ⁶⁴Cu-containing modified peptide as a myeloma radiotracer in vitro and in animal models.

Y-linked gene associated with myelomagenesis and outcomes in men
MM incidence and mortality are higher in men, compared with women, although the mechanisms underlying sex-based differences have not yet been elucidated. In an npj Precision Oncology article in press, researchers in China identified a tumor-suppressive role for the Y-linked Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 1A (EIF1AY) gene in male MM. Male patients with myeloma who have partial deletions in EIF1AY had shorter overall survival.