scholarly journals Management of AL amyloidosis in 2020

Blood ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 136 (23) ◽  
pp. 2620-2627
Author(s):  
Giovanni Palladini ◽  
Paolo Milani ◽  
Giampaolo Merlini
Keyword(s):  
Monoclonal Gammopathy ◽  
Amyloid Fibrils ◽  
Cell Clone ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Organ Involvement ◽  
Al Amyloidosis ◽  
Close Monitoring ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Hematologic Response

Abstract In amyloid light chain (AL) amyloidosis, a small B-cell clone, most commonly a plasma cell clone, produces monoclonal light chains that exert organ toxicity and deposit in tissue in the form of amyloid fibrils. Organ involvement determines the clinical manifestations, but symptoms are usually recognized late. Patients with disease diagnosed at advanced stages, particularly when heart involvement is present, are at high risk of death within a few months. However, symptoms are always preceded by a detectable monoclonal gammopathy and by elevated biomarkers of organ involvement, and hematologists can screen subjects who have known monoclonal gammopathy for amyloid organ dysfunction and damage, allowing for a presymptomatic diagnosis. Discriminating patients with other forms of amyloidosis is difficult but necessary, and tissue typing with adequate technology available at referral centers, is mandatory to confirm AL amyloidosis. Treatment targets the underlying clone and should be risk adapted to rapidly administer the most effective therapy patients can safely tolerate. In approximately one-fifth of patients, autologous stem cell transplantation can be considered up front or after bortezomib-based conditioning. Bortezomib can improve the depth of response after transplantation and is the backbone of treatment of patients who are not eligible for transplantation. The daratumumab+bortezomib combination is emerging as a novel standard of care in AL amyloidosis. Treatment should be aimed at achieving early and profound hematologic response and organ response in the long term. Close monitoring of hematologic response is vital to shifting nonresponders to rescue treatments. Patients with relapsed/refractory disease are generally treated with immune-modulatory drugs, but daratumumab is also an effective option.

scholarly journals Management of AL amyloidosis in 2020

Hematology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (1) ◽  
pp. 363-371
Author(s):  
Giovanni Palladini ◽  
Paolo Milani ◽  
Giampaolo Merlini
Keyword(s):  
Monoclonal Gammopathy ◽  
Amyloid Fibrils ◽  
Cell Clone ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Organ Involvement ◽  
Al Amyloidosis ◽  
Close Monitoring ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Hematologic Response

Abstract In amyloid light chain (AL) amyloidosis, a small B-cell clone, most commonly a plasma cell clone, produces monoclonal light chains that exert organ toxicity and deposit in tissue in the form of amyloid fibrils. Organ involvement determines the clinical manifestations, but symptoms are usually recognized late. Patients with disease diagnosed at advanced stages, particularly when heart involvement is present, are at high risk of death within a few months. However, symptoms are always preceded by a detectable monoclonal gammopathy and by elevated biomarkers of organ involvement, and hematologists can screen subjects who have known monoclonal gammopathy for amyloid organ dysfunction and damage, allowing for a presymptomatic diagnosis. Discriminating patients with other forms of amyloidosis is difficult but necessary, and tissue typing with adequate technology available at referral centers, is mandatory to confirm AL amyloidosis. Treatment targets the underlying clone and should be risk adapted to rapidly administer the most effective therapy patients can safely tolerate. In approximately one-fifth of patients, autologous stem cell transplantation can be considered up front or after bortezomib-based conditioning. Bortezomib can improve the depth of response after transplantation and is the backbone of treatment of patients who are not eligible for transplantation. The daratumumab+bortezomib combination is emerging as a novel standard of care in AL amyloidosis. Treatment should be aimed at achieving early and profound hematologic response and organ response in the long term. Close monitoring of hematologic response is vital to shifting nonresponders to rescue treatments. Patients with relapsed/refractory disease are generally treated with immune-modulatory drugs, but daratumumab is also an effective option.

How I Treat AL Amyloidosis

Blood ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni Palladini ◽  
Giampaolo Merlini
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Correct Diagnosis ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Organ Involvement ◽  
Al Amyloidosis ◽  
Amyloid Deposits ◽  
Organ Response ◽  
Effective Drugs

The treatment of patients with systemic light chain (AL) amyloidosis is a challenge to hematologists. Despite its generally small size, the underlying clone causes a rapidly progressing, often devastating multiorgan dysfunction through the toxic light chains that form amyloid deposits. Clinical manifestations are deceitful and too often recognized at an irreversible stage. However, hematologists are in the unique position to diagnose AL amyloidosis at a pre-symptomatic stage checking biomarkers of amyloid organ involvement in patients with monoclonal gammopathies at higher risk to develop the disease. Adequate technology and expertise are needed for a prompt and correct diagnosis, particularly for ruling out non-AL amyloidoses that are now also treatable. Therapy should be carefully tailored based on severity of organ involvement and clonal characteristics, and early and continual monitoring of response is critical. Three recent randomized clinical trials moved AL amyloidosis to evidence-based era. Above all, the daratumumab-bortezomib combination is a new standard-of-care for newly diagnosed patients inducing rapid and deep responses that translate into high rates of organ response. The availability of new effective drugs allows to better personalize the therapy, reduce toxicity, and improve outcomes. Patients should be treated within clinical trials whenever possible.

scholarly journals Single Arm, Prospective, Open-Label Phase II Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy of Isatuximab in Patients with Monoclonal Gammopathy of Renal Significance

Blood ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 3161-3161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vikram Premkumar ◽  
Suzanne Lentzsch ◽  
Divaya Bhutani
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Myeloma ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Plasma Cell ◽  
Monoclonal Gammopathy ◽  
Plasma Cells ◽  
Cell Clone ◽  
Advisory Committees ◽  
Renal Response ◽  
Hematologic Response ◽  
Stable Renal Function

Background: Monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS) is a monoclonal B cell disorder, not meeting the definition of lymphoma or myeloma, that produces monoclonal proteins which deposit in the kidneys. Permanent renal damage can occur either as a consequence of direct deposition of toxic proteins or by an induced inflammatory response. Due to the low burden of the plasma cell clone, patients do not otherwise qualify for potentially toxic anti-plasma cell treatments and treatment is generally based on consensus opinion. To date there are no clinical trials exploring treatment options. Isatuximab is a chimeric mouse/human IgG1k monoclonal antibody which targets CD38 on both malignant and normal plasma cells and exhibits it antitumor effects primarily by antibody-dependent cellular toxicity. Isatuximab has recently been shown to be an active drug in the treatment of multiple myeloma, with improvements seen in hematologic and renal markers, and has been shown to have manageable toxicity. Given the efficacy of isatuximab in multiple myeloma, we propose a trial evaluating isatuximab monotherapy to treat the small plasma cell clone in MGRS with the hopes of maximizing response and minimizing toxicity. Study Design and Methods: The primary objective of this study is to evaluate efficacy of isatuximab monotherapy in patients with MGRS in order to establish a standard of care treatment for patients with this disease. Adult patients with proteinuria of at least 1 gram in 24 hours and a histopathological diagnosis of MGRS on renal biopsy in the last 24 months will be eligible for the trial. Patients will be excluded if their estimated GFR is below 30 mL/min, they have multiple myeloma, high risk smoldering myeloma, other B cell neoplasm meeting criteria for treatment, concurrent diabetic nephropathy, or require dialysis. Patients will be screened for B cell disorders with bone marrow biopsy and aspirate, serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) with immunofixation (IFE), 24-hour urine protein electrophoresis (UPEP), free light chain (FLC) testing and screening PET/CT at time of enrollment. Enrolled patients will be administered isatuximab 20 mg/kg IV weekly for 4 weeks and then will receive the same dose every 2 weeks thereafter for a total of 6 months. Patients may be continued on treatment following completion of the 6 months at the discretion of the provider. To reduce the risk of infusion related reactions, patients will receive premedications with corticosteroids, diphenhydramine, H2 blockade and acetaminophen at least 60 minutes prior to infusion. Patients will have repeat SPEP + IFE, 24-hour UPEP + IFE and FLC testing every 4 weeks. There will be an optional repeat kidney biopsy 9-12 months following treatment initiation to assess pathologic response in the kidneys. Statistical Methods: The study will be comprised of 20 patients being treated with isatuximab over a span of 24-30 months. Ten patients will be initiated on the therapy for a period of 6 months. Interim analysis will be done after these patients have completed all the treatment cycles. If 4 out of 10 patients show response in form of improved/stable renal function, the study will proceed to include next 10 patients. If >50% of the first group of 10 patients show doubling of creatinine while on therapy, that would be considered as an indication to discontinue the therapy and the study due to drug toxicity. Endpoints: The primary endpoint will be efficacy as measured by renal response and hematologic response. Renal response will be measured by assessing the amount of proteinuria in a 24 hour urine sample. A sustained reduction in proteinuria by 30% from the patient's baseline amount of proteinuria with stable renal function (serum eGFR within 20% of baseline) will be considered a positive renal response. Hematologic response will be quantified per the 2016 International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) uniform response criteria for multiple myeloma. An important secondary endpoint will be safety and will be analyzed from all patients who receive any study drug. Adverse events will be characterized and graded according to the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 5.0. Other endpoints include time to dialysis and rate of minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity. Disclosures Lentzsch: Caelum Biosciences: Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bayer: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy; Proclara: Consultancy; Abbvie: Consultancy; Clinical Care Options: Speakers Bureau; Sanofi: Consultancy, Research Funding; Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation: Honoraria; International Myeloma Foundation: Honoraria; Karyopharm: Research Funding; Columbia University: Patents & Royalties: 11-1F4mAb as anti-amyloid strategy. Bhutani:Sanofi: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. OffLabel Disclosure: Our trial will be evaluating the efficacy of targeting CD38 on plasma cells with isatuximab in patients with monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS). We will evaluate the effects of this drug on 24 hour proteinuria and hematologic response.

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.

A Randomized Phase III Trial of Melphalan and Dexamethasone (MDex) Versus Bortezomib, Melphalan and Dexamethasone (BMDex) for Untreated Patients with AL Amyloidosis

Blood ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 128 (22) ◽  
pp. 646-646 ◽  
Author(s):  
Efstathios Kastritis ◽  
Xavier Leleu ◽  
Bertrand Arnulf ◽  
Elena Zamagni ◽  
María Teresa Cibeira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Board Of Directors ◽  
Research Funding ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Cardiac Response ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Al Amyloidosis ◽  
Advisory Committees ◽  
Phase Iii Trial ◽  
Hematologic Response ◽  
Grade 3

Abstract Background. Current upfront treatment of light chain (AL) amyloidosis is often based on bortezomib in patients. However, data on the safety and efficacy of bortezomib in this setting mostly derive from uncontrolled, retrospective series, that are difficult to compare due to different proportion of patients with advanced disease. Here we report the analysis of a multicenter randomized phase III trial comparing MDex, a current standard of care, and MDex with the addition of bortezomib (BMDex) in newly-diagnosed AL amyloidosis that was performed in Europe and Australia (EMN-03 study, NCT01277016). Patients and Methods. Main eligibility criteria included measurable disease (M-protein >10 g/L or dFLC >50 mg/L), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ³30 mL/min, and adequate liver function. Previously treated patients, those who had >30% bone marrow plasma cell or lytic bone lesions, NYHA class >II heart failure, grade 3 sensory or grade 1 painful peripheral neuropathy, or ECOG performance status >2 were excluded. In January 2013 the protocol was amended to include Mayo stage III patients, provided their NT-proBNP was <8500 ng/L (stage IIIa). Patients were randomized to receive either MDex (melphalan at 0.22 mg/kg and dexamethasone at 40 mg daily for 4 consecutive days every 28 days) or BMDex (bortezomib added at 1.3 mg/m2, on days 1, 4, 8, and 11 in cycles 1 and 2, and on days 1, 8, 15, and 22 in the following cycles). The primary endpoint was overall hematologic response at 3 months. Treatment was continued until completion of MDex cycle 9 or BMDex cycle 8, or achievement of CR or of at least partial response (PR) plus organ response after cycle 6, and was discontinued in case PR was not achieved by cycle 3. Enrollment is now completed (110 patients) with the last patient enrolled in February 2016 (database lock: July 25, 2016). Results. Patients' characteristics are reported in the Table. The proportion of patients experiencing at least 1 grade 3-4 severe adverse events (SAE) was similar in the MDex and BMDex arms (49% vs. 60%, P=0.11). The total number of reported adverse events per cycle was lower in the MDex group (10% vs 23%, P<0.01). Most common SAEs (MDex vs. BMDex) were cytopenia (4% vs. 7%, P=0.04), fluid retention (3% vs. 6%, P=0.02), and neuropathy (0 vs. 2%, P<0.01). One patient died within 3 months in the MDex arm and 3 in the BMDex group (P=0.28). Response was evaluated by intent to treat. Hematologic response rates after cycle 3 were 51% and 78% (P=0.001), with 28% and 53% complete response (CR) /very good partial response (VGPR) (P=0.003), in the MDex and BMDex arms, respectively. Overall hematologic response at the end of treatment, after a median of 5 cycles, was 56% and 81% (P=0.001), with 38% and 64% CR/VGPR in the MDex and BMDex arms, respectively (P=0.002). Cardiac response was reached in 8 of 33 evaluable patients treated with MDex (24%) and 10 of 26 (38%) who received BMDex (P=0.119). Renal response was attained in 17 of 35 patients (48%) in both arms. However, there was a higher proportion of cardiac progression in the MDex arm with borderline statistical significance (32% vs. 15%, P=0.054). After a median follow-up of living patients of 25 months, 26 patients (24%) died, 16 in the MDex arm and 10 in the BMDex arm with no significant difference in survival (Figure 1a). Achievement of hematologic and cardiac response at 3 months significantly improved survival (Figures 1b and 1c). Conclusion. This is the first prospective randomized trial of novel agents in AL amyloidosis. The criteria of hematologic and cardiac response are validated in the prospective setting for the first time. The primary endpoint, hematologic response at 3 months has been reached, showing more frequent and more profound hematologic responses with BMDex, preventing progression of cardiac dysfunction, with a modest increase in toxicity. This regimen can be proposed as a new standard of care in AL amyloidosis. We would like to acknowledge the European Myeloma Network, the Australasian Leukaemia and Lymphoma Group and the Leukaemia Foundation of Australia for their ongoing support, and Janssen-Cilag for partially funding the trial and providing the study drug. Disclosures Kastritis: Genesis: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria. Cibeira:Janssen: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria. Mollee:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Amgen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Nilelse: Research Funding. Hajek:Takeda: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Moreau:Janssen: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria. Mateos:Janssen, Celgene, Amgen, Takeda, BMS: Honoraria. Wechalekar:Takeda: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; Glaxo Smith Kline: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria. Dimopoulos:Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Genesis: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Palumbo:Janssen Cilag: Honoraria; Takeda: Employment, Honoraria. Sonneveld:Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria; Karyopharm: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Merlini:Pfizer: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Millennium Takeda: Consultancy; Prothena: Honoraria; GlaxoSmithKline: Consultancy. Palladini:Prothena: Honoraria.

scholarly journals Dissecting the Molecular Features of Systemic Light Chain (AL) Amyloidosis: Contributions from Proteomics

Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (9) ◽  
pp. 916
Author(s):  
Paola Rognoni ◽  
Giulia Mazzini ◽  
Serena Caminito ◽  
Giovanni Palladini ◽  
Francesca Lavatelli
Keyword(s):  
Light Chain ◽  
Amyloid Fibrils ◽  
Cell Clone ◽  
Experimental Models ◽  
Critical Discussion ◽  
Al Amyloidosis ◽  
Primary Role ◽  
Molecular Features ◽  
Amyloid Light Chain ◽  
Models Of Disease

Amyloidoses are characterized by aggregation of proteins into highly ordered amyloid fibrils, which deposit in the extracellular space of tissues, leading to organ dysfunction. In AL (amyloid light chain) amyloidosis, the most common form in Western countries, the amyloidogenic precursor is a misfolding-prone immunoglobulin light chain (LC), which, in the systemic form, is produced in excess by a plasma cell clone and transported to target organs though blood. Due to the primary role that proteins play in the pathogenesis of amyloidoses, mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomic studies have gained an established position in the clinical management and research of these diseases. In AL amyloidosis, in particular, proteomics has provided important contributions for characterizing the precursor light chain, the composition of the amyloid deposits and the mechanisms of proteotoxicity in target organ cells and experimental models of disease. This review will provide an overview of the major achievements of proteomic studies in AL amyloidosis, with a presentation of the most recent acquisitions and a critical discussion of open issues and ongoing trends.

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 Bortezomib, Melphalan, and Dexamethasone for Light-Chain Amyloidosis

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (28) ◽  
pp. 3252-3260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Efstathios Kastritis ◽  
Xavier Leleu ◽  
Bertrand Arnulf ◽  
Elena Zamagni ◽  
María Teresa Cibeira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Overall Survival ◽  
Light Chain ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Alkylating Agents ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Al Amyloidosis ◽  
Open Label ◽  
Hematologic Response

PURPOSE Oral melphalan and dexamethasone (MDex) were considered a standard of care in light-chain (AL) amyloidosis. In the past decade, bortezomib has been increasingly used in combination with alkylating agents and dexamethasone. We prospectively compared the efficacy and safety of MDex and MDex with the addition of bortezomib (BMDex). METHODS This was a phase III, multicenter, randomized, open-label trial. Patients were stratified according to cardiac stage. Patients with advanced cardiac stage (stage IIIb) amyloidosis were not eligible. The primary end point was hematologic response rate at 3 months. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01277016 . RESULTS A total of 109 patients, 53 in the BMDex and 56 in the MDex group, received ≥ 1 dose of therapy (from January 2011 to February 2016). Hematologic response rate at 3 months was higher in the BMDex arm (79% v 52%; P = .002). Higher rates of very good partial or complete response rates (64% v 39%; hazard ratio [HR], 2.47; 95% CI, 1.30 to 4.71) and improved overall survival, with a 2-fold decrease in mortality rate (HR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.27 to 0.90), were observed in the BMDex arm. Grade 3 and 4 adverse events (the most common being cytopenia, peripheral neuropathy, and heart failure) were more common in the BMDex arm, occurring in 20% versus 10% of cycles performed. CONCLUSION BMDex improved hematologic response rate and overall survival. To our knowledge, this is the first time a controlled study has demonstrated a survival advantage in AL amyloidosis. BMDex should be considered a new standard of care for AL amyloidosis.

scholarly journals Multiorgan involvement by amyloid light chain amyloidosis

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 1778-1786 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guoliang Li ◽  
Dan Han ◽  
Suhua Wei ◽  
Huaiyu Wang ◽  
Limei Chen
Keyword(s):  
Light Chain ◽  
Amyloid Fibrils ◽  
Normal Structure ◽  
Al Amyloidosis ◽  
Initial Symptom ◽  
Close Monitoring ◽  
Clinical Complexity ◽  
Amyloid Light Chain ◽  
Low Incidence ◽  
Chemotherapy Strategy

Amyloid light chain (AL) amyloidosis is a protein conformational disease. AL amyloidosis results from aggregation of misfolded proteins that are deposited in tissues as amyloid fibrils. Diagnosis of AL amyloidosis can be challenging due to its low incidence and clinical complexity. Therapy requires a risk-adapted approach involving dose reductions and schedule modifications of chemotherapy regimens along with close monitoring of hematologic and organ responses. We herein describe a patient whose condition was diagnosed as systemic AL amyloidosis and presented with splenic rupture as the initial symptom. Congo red staining of the kidney biopsy was positive. The normal structure of the liver and spleen had been replaced by amyloid deposition. The chemotherapy strategy involved a combination of bortezomib, cyclophosphamide, thalidomide, and dexamethasone.

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