Update on Recommendations for Assessing Response from the Third International Workshop on Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia

This report by an international consensus panel updates current recommendations for defining clinical response in Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (WM). The previously published response criteria incorporated parameters for monoclonal protein reduction and/or improvement of marrow and nodal involvement, and included definitions of complete and partial remissions. The criteria have been updated to include minor response and stable disease categories. In addition, the criteria now recognize that delayed responses after treatment with nucleoside analogues and biologic agents and the time point for assessing response in patients with WM should be considered so as to not miss or miscategorize a response. The new criteria should therefore help in better delineating responses to therapy in patients with WM, particularly with the wide use of nucleoside analogues and biologically based agents for this disease.