The role of minimal residual disease and serum free light chain ratio in the management of multiple myeloma

Abstract Multiple myeloma (MM) denotes a cancerous growth characterized by abnormal proliferation of plasma cells. Growing evidence suggests that the complexity in addressing MM lies in the presence of minimal residual disease (MRD) within the body. MRD assessment is becoming increasingly important for risk assessment in patients with MM. Similarly, the levels of serum free protein light chain and their ratio play a crucial role in assessing the disease burden and changes in MM. In this paper, we review and explore the utilization of MRD and serum free light chain ratio in the treatment of MM, delving into their respective characteristics, advantages, disadvantages, and their interrelation.