Cell-free DNA chromosome copy number variations predict outcomes in plasma cell myeloma.

A letter published in the Blood Cancer Journal discusses the use of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) as a non-invasive technique for diagnosing and monitoring plasma cell myeloma (PCM), a type of blood cancer. The authors found that analyzing cfDNA accurately predicted progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in PCM patients. Another study examined copy number variants (CNVs) in plasma samples of newly-diagnosed PCM patients and found that changes in CNVs after therapy were more accurate predictors of PFS and OS than baseline CNVs. The authors suggest that combining plasma CNV analysis with standard MRD detection methods could improve prognostic analysis and aid in treatment decision-making for PCM patients. [Extracted from the article]