So You're MRD Negative: Does That Mean Your Myeloma Is Gone? | Myeloma in a Minute (https://www.myeloma.org/videos/so-youre-mrd-negative-does-mean-your-myeloma-gone-myeloma-minute)
So You're MRD Negative: Does That Mean Your Myeloma Is Gone? | Myeloma in a Minute
You've been told you're MRD negative. Does that mean there's no myeloma left?
In this Myeloma in a Minute video, IMF Medical Advisor Dr. Joseph Mikhael explains what minimal residual disease (MRD) means, how MRD testing looks for tiny amounts of myeloma in the bone marrow, and what being MRD negative really means for you.
Learn about MRD negativity in multiple myeloma, how testing can detect even very small amounts of myeloma, and why MRD results are both prognostic and predictive. Dr. Mikhael also explains how MRD testing may influence decisions about continuing or stopping therapy.
Subscribe for weekly updates on myeloma research, treatment, and patient support. Learn more about multiple myeloma, MRD testing, and patient resources at myeloma.org (https://www.myeloma.org/).
Have a question that needs more personalized support? Call us! We're here for you. The IMF's InfoLine is available to answer your myeloma-related questions and concerns. Call us at 1-818-487-7455, email us at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]), or schedule your call at a time that works for you at: myeloma.org/infoline (https://www.myeloma.org/infoline).
Joseph Mikhael, MD, MEd, FRCPC, FACP, FASCO
International Myeloma Foundation Medical Advisor
TGen, City of Hope Cancer Center—Phoenix, AZ, USA
Dr Mikhael is a Professor in the Clinical Genomics and Therapeutics Division at the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), an affiliate of City of Hope Cancer Center. He is also the Director of Myeloma research at the HonorHealth Research Institute in Scottsdale, Arizona. Dr Mikhael specializes clinically in plasma cell disorders, namely multiple myeloma, amyloidosis, and Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia. He is the PI of many clinical trials, primarily in relapsed multiple myeloma, and his other clinical research interests include pharmaco-economics, communication skills, and media relations.
Dr. Mikhael recently served as the Chief Medical Officer of the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) from 2018 to 2026 – he now serves as Medical Advisor to the IMF to provide guidance and strategic input in areas such as patient education, health disparities, collaboration with partners, international research, and publications.
Dr Mikhael has published over 200 peer-reviewed articles in these fields and lectures internationally on a regular basis. Dr. Mikhael is deeply committed to health disparities in myeloma and is the chair of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council at TGen. Dr. Mikhael is heavily involved in training future researchers and mentors junior faculty worldwide. Dr. Mikhael is an active member of the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) and recently led the ASCO guidelines in myeloma. Dr. Mikhael also serves as the Treasurer on the executive of the American Society of Hematology.
Dr. Mikhael did his medical training in Canada, including a fellowship in Multiple Myeloma at the Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto. He also obtained his master’s degree in education from the University of Toronto. He then worked at the Mayo Clinic Arizona as a Hematologist from 2008-2018.
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