scholarly journals What is new in diagnosis and management of light chain amyloidosis?

Blood ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 128 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni Palladini ◽  
Giampaolo Merlini
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Cell ◽  
Light Chain ◽  
Cell Clone ◽  
Rescue Therapy ◽  
Response Assessment ◽  
Organ Damage ◽  
Al Amyloidosis ◽  
Cardiac Damage ◽  
Staging Systems ◽  
Therapy Treatment

Abstract Light chain (AL) amyloidosis is caused by a usually small plasma cell clone producing a misfolded light chain that deposits in tissues. Survival is mostly determined by the severity of heart involvement. Recent studies are clarifying the mechanisms of cardiac damage, pointing to a toxic effect of amyloidogenic light chains and offering new potential therapeutic targets. The diagnosis requires adequate technology, available at referral centers, for amyloid typing. Late diagnosis results in approximately 30% of patients presenting with advanced, irreversible organ involvement and dying in a few months despite modern treatments. The availability of accurate biomarkers of clonal and organ disease is reshaping the approach to patients with AL amyloidosis. Screening of early organ damage based on biomarkers can help identify patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance who are developing AL amyloidosis before they become symptomatic. Staging systems and response assessment based on biomarkers facilitate the design and conduction of clinical trials, guide the therapeutic strategy, and allow the timely identification of refractory patients to be switched to rescue therapy. Treatment should be risk-adapted. Recent studies are linking specific characteristics of the plasma cell clone to response to different types of treatment, moving toward patient-tailored therapy. In addition, novel anti-amyloid treatments are being developed that might be combined with anti-plasma cell chemotherapy.

scholarly journals Biomarkers in AL Amyloidosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (20) ◽  
pp. 10916
Author(s):  
Despina Fotiou ◽  
Foteini Theodorakakou ◽  
Efstathios Kastritis
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Cell ◽  
Plasma Cells ◽  
Residual Disease ◽  
Cell Clone ◽  
Organ Damage ◽  
Response To Treatment ◽  
Al Amyloidosis ◽  
Cardiac Damage ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Staging Systems

Systemic AL amyloidosis is a rare complex hematological disorder caused by clonal plasma cells which produce amyloidogenic immunoglobulins. Outcome and prognosis is the combinatory result of the extent and pattern of organ involvement secondary to amyloid fibril deposition and the biology and burden of the underlying plasma cell clone. Prognosis, as assessed by overall survival, and early outcomes is determined by degree of cardiac dysfunction and current staging systems are based on biomarkers that reflect the degree of cardiac damage. The risk of progression to end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis is assessed by renal staging systems. Longer-term survival and response to treatment is affected by markers of the underlying plasma cell clone; the genetic background of the clonal disease as evaluated by interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization in particular has predictive value and may guide treatment selection. Free light chain assessment forms the basis of hematological response criteria and minimal residual disease as assessed by sensitive methods is gradually being incorporated into clinical practice. However, sensitive biomarkers that could aid in the early diagnosis and that could reflect all aspects of organ damage and disease biology are needed and efforts to identify them are continuous.

scholarly journals Light chain amyloidosis

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. e2018022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolo Milani ◽  
Giampaolo Merlini ◽  
Giovanni Palladini
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Cell ◽  
Light Chain ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Cell Clone ◽  
Renal Involvement ◽  
Response To Therapy ◽  
Al Amyloidosis ◽  
Cell Transplant ◽  
Cardiac Damage ◽  
Risk Patients

Light chain (AL) amyloidosis is caused by a usually small plasma-cell clone that is able to produce the amyloidogenic lights chains. They are able to misfold and aggregate, deposit in tissues in the form of amyloid fibrils and lead to irreversible organ dysfunction and eventually death if treatment is late or ineffective. Cardiac damage is the most important prognostic determinant. The risk of dialysis is predicted by the severity of renal involvement, defined by the baseline proteinuria and glomerular filtration rate, and by response to therapy. The specific treatment is chemotherapy targeting the underlying plasma-cell clone. This needs be risk adapted, according to the severity of cardiac and/or multi-organ involvement. Autologous stem cell transplant (preceded by induction and/or followed by consolidation with bortezomib-based regimens) can be considered for low-risk patients (~20%). Bortezomib combined with alkylators is used in the majority of intermediate-risk patients, and with possible dose escalation in high-risk subjects. Novel, powerful anti-plasma cell agents were investigated in the relapsed/refractory setting, and are being moved to upfront therapy in clinical trials. In addition, the use of novel approaches based on antibodies targeting the amyloid deposits or small molecules interfering with the amyloidogenic process gave promising results in preliminary studies. Some of them are under evaluation in controlled trials. These molecules will probably add powerful complements to standard chemotherapy. The understanding of the specific molecular mechanisms of cardiac damage and the characteristics of the amyloidogenic clone are unveiling novel potential treatment approaches, moving towards a cure for this dreadful disease.

Nonchemotherapy Treatment of Immunoglobulin Light Chain Amyloidosis

2020 ◽  
Vol 143 (4) ◽  
pp. 373-380
Author(s):  
Layla Van Doren ◽  
Suzanne Lentzsch
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Cell ◽  
Light Chain ◽  
Cell Clone ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Organ Damage ◽  
Current Therapy ◽  
Al Amyloidosis ◽  
Immunoglobulin Light Chain ◽  
Light Chain Amyloidosis ◽  
Immunoglobulin Light Chain Amyloidosis

Immunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis (AL amyloidosis) is a rare, life-threatening disease characterized by the deposition of misfolded proteins in vital organs such as the heart, the lungs, the kidneys, the peripheral nervous system, and the gastrointestinal tract. This causes a direct toxic effect, eventually leading to organ failure. The underlying B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder is almost always a clonal plasma cell disorder, most often a small plasma cell clone of <10%. Current therapy is directed toward elimination of the plasma cell clone with the goal of preventing further organ damage and reversal of the existing organ damage. Autologous stem cell transplantation has been shown to be a very effective treatment in patients with AL amyloidosis, although it cannot be widely applied as patients are often frail at presentation, making them ineligible for transplantation. Treatment with cyclophosphamide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone has emerged as the standard of care for the treatment of AL amyloidosis. Novel anti-plasma cell therapies, such as second generation proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulators, monoclonal antibodies targeting a surface protein on the plasma cell (daratumumab, elotuzumab), and the small molecular inhibitor venetoclax, have continued to emerge and are being evaluated in combination with the standard of care. However, there is still a need for therapies that directly target the amyloid fibrils and reverse organ damage. In this review, we will discuss current and emerging nonchemotherapy treatments of AL amyloidosis, including antifibril directed therapies under current investigation.

scholarly journals Conventional Therapy for Amyloid Light-Chain Amyloidosis

2020 ◽  
Vol 143 (4) ◽  
pp. 365-372
Author(s):  
Paolo Milani ◽  
Giovanni Palladini
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cell ◽  
Plasma Cell ◽  
Light Chain ◽  
Cell Clone ◽  
Alkylating Agents ◽  
Proteasome Inhibitors ◽  
Response Rates ◽  
Al Amyloidosis ◽  
Cell Transplant ◽  
Conventional Chemotherapy

The vast majority of patients with light-chain (AL) amyloidosis are not eligible for stem cell transplant and are treated with conventional chemotherapy. Conventional regimens are based on various combinations of dexamethasone, alkylating agents, proteasome inhibitors, and immunomodulatory drugs. The choice of these regimens requires a careful risk stratification, based on the extent of amyloid organ involvement, comorbidities, and the characteristics of the amyloidogenic plasma cell clone. Most patients are treated upfront with bortezomib and dexamethasone combined with cyclophosphamide or melphalan. Cyclophosphamide does not compromise stem cell mobilization and harvest and is more manageable in renal failure. Melphalan can overcome the effect of t(11;14), which is associated with lower response rates and shorter survival in subjects treated with bortezomib and dexamethasone, or in combination with cyclophosphamide. Lenalidomide and pomalidomide are the mainstay of rescue treatment. They are effective in patients exposed to bortezomib, dexamethasone, and alkylators, but deep hematologic responses are rare. Ixazomib, alone or in combination with lenalidomide, increases the rate of complete responses in relapsed/refractory patients. Conventional chemotherapy regimens will represent the backbone for future combinations, particularly with anti-plasma-cell immunotherapy, that will further improve response rates and outcomes.

scholarly journals Recent Advances in the Diagnosis, Risk Stratification, and Management of Systemic Light-Chain Amyloidosis

2019 ◽  
Vol 141 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iuliana Vaxman ◽  
Morie Gertz
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Cell ◽  
Light Chain ◽  
Cell Clone ◽  
Proteasome Inhibitors ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Al Amyloidosis ◽  
Amyloid Deposits ◽  
Protein Fibrils ◽  
Risk Patients ◽  
Intensive Search

The term amyloidosis refers to a group of disorders in which protein fibrils accumulate in certain organs, disrupt their tissue architecture, and impair the function of the effected organ. The clinical manifestations and prognosis vary widely depending on the specific type of the affected protein. Immunoglobulin light-chain (AL) amyloidosis is the most common form of systemic amyloidosis, characterized by deposition of a misfolded monoclonal light-chain that is secreted from a plasma cell clone. Demonstrating amyloid deposits in a tissue biopsy stained with Congo red is mandatory for the diagnosis. Novel agents (proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulatory drugs, monoclonal antibodies, venetoclax) and autologous stem cell transplantation, used for eliminating the underlying plasma cell clone, have improved the outcome for low- and intermediate-risk patients, but the prognosis for high-risk patients is still grave. Randomized studies evaluating antibodies that target the amyloid deposits (PRONTO, VITAL) were recently stopped due to futility and currently there is an intensive search for novel treatment approaches to AL amyloidosis. Early diagnosis is of paramount importance for effective treatment and prognosis, due to the progressive nature of this disease.

scholarly journals Differential diagnosis of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance

Hematology ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 (1) ◽  
pp. 595-603 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giampaolo Merlini ◽  
Giovanni Palladini
Keyword(s):  
Differential Diagnosis ◽  
Plasma Cell ◽  
Monoclonal Gammopathy ◽  
Cell Clone ◽  
Organ Damage ◽  
Organ Injury ◽  
Al Amyloidosis ◽  
Monoclonal Protein ◽  
Undetermined Significance

Abstract Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is an asymptomatic plasma cell disorder occurring in 4.2% of adults > 50 years of age, which can progress into symptomatic diseases either through proliferation of the plasma cell clone, giving rise to multiple myeloma and other lymphoplasmacellular neoplasms, or through organ damage caused by the monoclonal protein, as seen in light-chain amyloidosis and related conditions. Differential diagnosis of asymptomatic and symptomatic monoclonal gammopathies is the determinant for starting therapy. The criteria for determining end-organ damage should include markers of organ injury caused by the monoclonal protein. Patient assessment and optimal follow-up are now performed using risk stratification models that should also take into account the risk of developing AL amyloidosis. Patients with low-risk MGUS (approximately 40% of all MGUS patients) need limited assessment and very infrequent follow-up. The ongoing development of novel molecular biomarkers and advanced imaging techniques will improve the identification of high-risk patients who may benefit from early therapeutic intervention through innovative clinical trials.

scholarly journals Daratumumab in the Treatment of Light-Chain (AL) Amyloidosis

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 545
Author(s):  
Giovanni Palladini ◽  
Paolo Milani ◽  
Fabio Malavasi ◽  
Giampaolo Merlini
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Cell ◽  
Light Chain ◽  
Cell Clone ◽  
Randomized Study ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Standards Of Care ◽  
Al Amyloidosis ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
Combination Regimens

Systemic light-chain (AL) amyloidosis is caused by a small B cell, most commonly a plasma cell (PC), clone that produces toxic light chains (LC) that cause organ dysfunction and deposits in tissues. Due to the production of amyloidogenic, misfolded LC, AL PCs display peculiar biologic features. The small, indolent plasma cell clone is an ideal target for anti-CD38 immunotherapy. A recent phase III randomized study showed that in newly diagnosed patients, the addition of daratumumab to the standard of care increased the rate and depth of the hematologic response and granted more frequent organ responses. In the relapsed/refractory setting, daratumumab alone or as part of combination regimens gave very promising results. It is likely that daratumumab-based regimens will become new standards of care in AL amyloidosis. Another anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody, isatuximab, is at an earlier stage of development as a treatment for AL amyloidosis. The ability to target CD38 on the amyloid PC offers new powerful tools to treat AL amyloidosis. Future studies should define the preferable agents to combine with daratumumab upfront and in the rescue setting and assess the role of maintenance. In this review, we summarize the rationale for using anti-CD38 antibodies in the treatment of AL amyloidosis.

scholarly journals Daratumumab plus CyBorD for patients with newly diagnosed light chain (AL) amyloidosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 204062072110583
Author(s):  
Foteini Theodorakakou ◽  
Meletios A. Dimopoulos ◽  
Efstathios Kastritis
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Cell ◽  
Light Chain ◽  
Cell Clone ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Response Rates ◽  
Complete Response ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Al Amyloidosis ◽  
Large Phase ◽  
Organ Response

Primary systemic immunoglobulin light chain (AL) amyloidosis is caused by a plasma cell clone of, usually low, malignant potential that expresses CD38 molecules on their surface. Treatment of AL amyloidosis is based on the elimination of the plasma cell clone. The combination of cyclophosphamide–bortezomib–dexamethasone (CyBorD) is the most widely used and is considered a standard of care; however, complete hematologic response rates and organ response rates remain unsatisfactory. Daratumumab, an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody, has demonstrated encouraging results, with rapid and deep responses, in patients with relapsed or refractory AL amyloidosis as monotherapy with a favorable toxicity profile. The large phase-III, randomized, ANDROMEDA study evaluated the addition of daratumumab to CyBorD in previously untreated patients with AL amyloidosis and demonstrated that addition of daratumumab can substantially improve hematologic complete response rates, survival free from major organ deterioration or hematologic progression, and organ responses. In this review, we discuss the role of daratumumab in the treatment of AL amyloidosis, its mechanism of action, and the results of ANDROMEDA study that led to the first approved therapy for AL amyloidosis.

scholarly journals Learning from Patients: The Interplay between Clinical and Laboratory Research in AL Amyloidosis

Hemato ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-16
Author(s):  
Moshe E. Gatt ◽  
Marjorie Pick
Keyword(s):  
Patient Care ◽  
Plasma Cell ◽  
Light Chain ◽  
Cell Clone ◽  
Organ Injury ◽  
Laboratory Research ◽  
Al Amyloidosis ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Amyloid Light Chain

Primary systemic light chain amyloidosis (AL) is a rare monoclonal plasma cell disorder. Much research has been performed to determine the factors that underly amyloidogenicity. However, there is increasing evidence that the primary clone, and also patient-related factors, influence the mechanism and rate of the process. The lessons learnt from patient care definitely imply that this is not solely due to the deposition of material in the tissues that cause organ injury but amyloid light chain precursors are likely to mediate cellular toxicity. The disease rarity, combined with the lack of in vitro tools, and that multi-organ failure has a wide clinical spectrum, result in investigative challenges and treatment limitations (due to AL patient frailty). All these characteristics make the disease difficult to diagnose and indicate the need to further study its origins and treatments. This review will focus on the various aspects of the amyloidogenic plasma cell clone, as learnt from the patient care and clinics, and its implications on basic as well as clinical trials of AL research. Details regarding the etiology of the plasma cell clone, understanding the diagnosis of AL, and improvement of patient care with specific consideration of the future perspectives of individualized patient therapy will be described.

scholarly journals Detection and Characterization of Plasma Cell and B Cell Clones in Patients with Systemic Light Chain Amyloidosis Using Flow Cytometry

Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 2068-2068
Author(s):  
Stefan Schönland ◽  
Ute Hegenbart ◽  
Christoph Kimmich ◽  
Katarina Lisenko ◽  
Dirk Hose ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Flow Cytometry ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Cell Count ◽  
Plasma Cell ◽  
Light Chain ◽  
Plasma Cells ◽  
Cell Clone ◽  
Flow Analysis ◽  
Al Amyloidosis ◽  
Cell Clones

Abstract Introduction: AL amyloidosis is a rare and life-threatening protein-deposition disorder caused by a small B cell (mostly plasma cell) clone which produces amyloidogenic light chains. The goal of therapy is to target this clone and halt the uncontrolled release of free light chain, which might subsequently lead to improvement of organ function. In routine diagnostic some of these B cell clones are missed as they might be extremely small. However, specific treatment can only be applied if the clone is well characterized. Hardly any data on the characteristics of these cells using flow cytometry have been reported. (e.g. Paiva et al., Blood 2011). Study design: We performed a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients who were referred to our amyloidosis center (March to July 2014) and have been thoroughly studied (immunhistology of amyloid, free light chain assay, immunofixation, bone marrow diagnostic: cytology, flow cytometry and interphase-FISH cytogenetics (iFISH)). Patients and Methods: Twenty-two patients were included (all untreated, 21 AL patients, one pt with monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS)). Plasma cells were detected by their co-expression of CD38 and CD138 antigens. Differentiation between malignant and normal plasma cells was achieved by analysis of aberrant CD45 and CD19 expressions and proof of intracellular light chain restriction (see Figure 1). To evaluate potential targets for an antibody-based immunotherapy, we stained CD20, CD22, CD30, CD52 and CS-1 on these plasma cells. Overall, positivity was defined as >20% expression of the antigen. iFISH was done after CD138 selection as previously described (Bochtler et al., Blood 2011). Results: Main characteristics and results are shown in Table 1. Median dFLC was 304 mg/l, three patients had a dFLC of less than 50 mg/l. Median plasma cell count in cytology was 10%, 3 patients had less than 5%. Median plasma cell count by flow was 3.8%, three patients had less than 1%. Correlation between dFLC, plasma cell count in cytology and flow was low (FLC vs. flow: spearman=0.25, p=0.26; FLC vs. cytology: spearman=0.49, p=0.02; flow vs. cytology, spearman=0.36, p=0.1). Detection of the amyloidogenic clone by flow was possible in all but one patient (95%). In this patient we were not able to show a light chain restriction although we detected a relevant aberrant plasma cell clone (CD45low, CD19low). In one patient we found a B cell lymphoma as underlying disease for MGRS type IgG lambda (CD19+, CD20+, lambda+, CD5-, CD22+, FMC7-, CD23-, CD25+, CD103-, CD38+ typical for marginal zone lymphoma). In all 21 patients the light chain restriction demonstrated by flow was confirmed by immunofixation, FLC, and immunohistology of the amyloid. All patients analyzed for the expression of CS-1 were positive. 25% were also positive for CD20 and none was positive for CD22, CD30 and CD52. Detection of the plasma cell clone by iFISH was possible in all 21 patients (see Table 1). Conclusion: Flow cytometric analysis of the bone marrow is a very sensitive method to detect and characterize the amyloidogenic clone in AL amyloidosis. B cell lymphomas can easily be distinguished from pure plasma cell clones. Secondly, flow provides useful information to specify immune-chemotherapy in AL amyloidosis and related disorders. Table 1: Patients (n=22) Characteristics and Results Age in yrs (median / range) 67 (41 – 77) Sex: female / male 9 / 13 Type of light chain: kappa / lambda 4 / 18 Median dFLC in mg/l (range) 304 (22 - 6621) Median % of plasma cells in BM cytology (range) 10 (0 – 68) Underlying disease leading to AL amyloidosis“MG” / MM III / B-NHL 20 / 1 / 1 Median % of PC by flow (range) 3.8 (0.2 - 34) Detection of the amyloidogenic clone by flow 21 / 22 Flow analysis of clonal plasma cells (% of pts)CD20+ / CD22+ / CD30+ / CD52+ / CD56+ / CS-1+ 25 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 75 / 100 Detection of a clone by iFISH 21/21 % of pts with t(11;14) / Gain of 1q21 / Hyperdiploidy / High-risk cytogenetic (del 17p13, t(4;14)) 52 / 10 / 14 / 10 Figure 1: Representative flow analysis of one pt. with a lambda+, CD38+, CD138+ plasma cell clone (green). Polyclonal CD19+ B cells in red. Figure 1:. Representative flow analysis of one pt. with a lambda+, CD38+, CD138+ plasma cell clone (green). Polyclonal CD19+ B cells in red. Disclosures Schönland: Janssen: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria. Hegenbart:Janssen: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria. Hose:Novartis: Research Funding. Hundemer:Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding.

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