B Type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) Less Than 200 Pg/Ml Represents Good Candidate For High Dose Melphalan and Predicts Longer Survival In Systemic Light Chain Amyloidosis

Blood ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 122 (21) ◽  
pp. 5523-5523
Author(s):  
Toshiaki Hayashi ◽  
Hiroshi Ikeda ◽  
Yuka Aoki ◽  
Yumiko Maruyama ◽  
Tadao Ishida ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diastolic Function ◽  
Natriuretic Peptide ◽  
Light Chain ◽  
Contractile Function ◽  
Performance Status ◽  
Conditioning Regimen ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Al Amyloidosis ◽  
Organ Response ◽  
High Dose Melphalan

Abstract Background High dose melphalan with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is a standard treatment for eligible patients with systemic light chain (AL) amyloidosis. Treatment-related mortality (TRM) of ASCT for AL amyloidosis was previously reported being as high as 40%; however, risk-adapted melphalan dosing reduced TRM to about 10% or less in experienced institutes. Several ways to determine the dose of melphalan have been proposed. They were focusing on organ failures especially cardiac dysfunction shown by ejection fraction (EF). EF represents contractile function of the heart; however, in AL amyloidosis, EF is known to be maintained until late stage whereas diastolic function is damaged earlier. We here present the outcomes of AL patients who received ASCT following risk-adapted melphalan with our criteria including B type natriuretic peptide (BNP) which is a practical marker for diastolic function of the heart and less affected by the renal function than NT-proBNP. Patients and Methods A total of 12 patients with primary systemic AL amyloidosis treated with HD-Mel with ASCT at Sapporo Medical University Hospital between 2004 and 2012 were evaluated. Patients with age older than 65 years, poor performance status or severe organ dysfunction were determined not to eligible for ASCT. The dose of melphalan for conditioning regimen was modified due to patients' condition. A dose of 200 mg/m2 was administered to patients in performance status (ECOG) 0 or 1, number of organ involvement 2 or less, serum creatinine <1.5 mg/dl, EF >50%, and BNP <200 pg/ml; otherwise 140 mg/m2. Hematological response (HR) and organ response (OR) were evaluated according to the Consensus Opinion from the 10th International Symposium on Amyloid and Amyloidosis. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS); both of them were measured from the day of ASCT. Results Twelve patients were included in this study, 4 were women. The median age at transplantation was 54 years (range, 32 - 65 years). Involvement of 1 organ was present in 1 patient (8.3%), 2 organs were involved in 8, and 3 or more organs in the remaining 3. Ten patients had a lambda monoclonal protein, and the median percentage of plasma cells in the bone marrow was 2.5% (range, 0.2% - 9.6%). No patients received treatment before HDM/ASCT, except 2 patients treated high-dose dexamethasone or 1 course of VAD regimen before referring to our hospital. Six patients received 200 mg/m2 of melphalan and remaining six received reduced dose based on the criteria in Patient and Methods. Notably, it was possible to screen patients with only the value of BNP; i.e., all the patients who received 140 mg/m2 of melphalan by the criteria had a high level (more than 200 pg/ml) of BNP. The median time from diagnosis of AL to ASCT was 95 days (range, 47 to 195 days). The median number of CD34-positive cells infused was 3.55 x106/kg, and all patients were engrafted. The hematologic CR was achieved in 5 patients and PR in 2. The organ response was observed in 2 patients who achieved hematologic CR. The median EFS of all patients was 21.1 months (range, 3.4 to 70.8 months), and median OS was 21.1 months (range, 3.4 to 112.5 months). EFS and OS were significantly longer for patients who received 200 mg/m2 of melphalan that are same with patients who had BNP less than 200 pg/ml, compared with a lower dose of melphalan and higher level of BNP (EFS: 15.0 months vs not reached, p=0.0166; OS: 15.0 months vs not reached, p=0.0166). No TRM was observed. Conclusions AL patients with less than 200 pg/ml of BNP can be safely performed HD-Mel with ASCT and expected longer survival. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Pulsed Low Dose Intravenous Melphalan in Patients with AL Amyloidosis, Ineligible for Aggressive Treatment with High-Dose Melphalan and Stem Cell Transplantation.

Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 2393-2393
Author(s):  
Vaishali Sanchorawala ◽  
David C. Seldin ◽  
Daniel G. Wright ◽  
Martha Skinner ◽  
Kathleen T. Finn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cell ◽  
Light Chain ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Cardiac Involvement ◽  
Performance Status ◽  
Left Ventricular Ejection ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Al Amyloidosis ◽  
Aggressive Treatment ◽  
High Dose Melphalan

Abstract AL amyloidosis is caused by a clonal plasma cell dyscrasia and characterized by widespread, progressive deposition of Amyloid fibrils derived from monoclonal Ig light chains, leading to multisystem organ failure and death. Aggressive treatment of AL amyloidosis with high-dose melphalan followed by autologous stem cell transplant (HDM/SCT) can induce hematologic and clinical remissions and extend survival. However, not all patients are able to tolerate HDM/SCT, particularly those with severe multisystem disease. Consequently, we investigated an alternative treatment regimen consisting of pulsed low-dose intravenous melphalan (LDM) for a series of patients considered ineligible for HDM/SCT because of severe cardiac involvement and poor performance status. LDM was administered at 17.5–25 mg/m2 every 4–6 weeks for 3–4 cycles depending upon patients’ clinical condition, renal function and performance status. Growth factor support was used with each cycle, and the dose of melphalan was reduced by 20% for white blood cell counts &lt;500/mm3 and/or platelet count &lt;20,000/mm3 during any treatment cycle. Changes in serum free light chain (FLC) levels, as well as toxicity and survival were evaluated. Fifteen patients with AL amyloidosis (11 males, 4 females; median age 55, range 47–69) were treated with this regimen between July 2002 and January 2004. Light chain isotypes were l in 11 cases and k in 4. All patients had clinically significant cardiac involvement with NYHA class III/IV congestive heart failure and/or left ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 45%, and/or ≥ 2 organ systems involved. The median number of LDM cycles given was 3 (maximum; 4), and 3 patients received only 1 cycle. Serum FLC levels were available before and after treatment in 10 patients. Eight of these patients (80%) achieved a &gt; 50% reduction in FLC levels, and 2 (20%) achieved normal FLC levels. One patient achieved a 20–25% reduction in the FLC, and 3 experienced no reduction. Of the15 patients treated, 2 patients survive 6 and 24 months after treatment, while 13 have died (median survival, 2 months; range, 0–10 months). Ten patients (67%) died within 35 days of initiating treatment. Transient myelosuppression was the major treatment-related toxicity with neutrophil and platelet nadirs occurring 12–16 days after melphalan infusions. There was 1 death from sepsis during treatment-induced myelosuppression. In summary, pulsed low-dose intravenous melphalan (LDM) was found to induce hematologic responses in most patients who could be evaluated. However, extended survival ≥ 2 years was observed in only 1 of the 15 patients with severe amyloidosis who were studied. Nonetheless, this regimen may benefit healthier patients, particularly those with less severe cardiac involvement, who are otherwise ineligible or unable to receive HDM/SCT.

Improvement of Long-Term Survival after High-Dose Melphalan in Patients with Light Chain Amyloidosis Responding to Induction Chemotherapy.

Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 3334-3334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anja Mangatter ◽  
Stefan O Schoenland ◽  
Marion Hansberg ◽  
Tilmann Bochtler ◽  
Sascha Dietrich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cell ◽  
Induction Chemotherapy ◽  
Light Chain ◽  
Long Term Results ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Al Amyloidosis ◽  
Karnofsky Performance Score ◽  
Organ Response ◽  
High Dose Melphalan

Abstract Introduction: High-dose melphalan (HDM) with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (SCT) is an effective treatment for patients (pts) with systemic light chain (AL) amyloidosis. The goal is to achieve complete remission (CR) of the underlying clonal plasma cell disorder which leads to organ response and prolongs overall survival (OS). Most centers use granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) to mobilize stem cells and proceed directly to SCT. However, it is not well investigated whether induction chemotherapy (IC) prior to HDM might improve the long-term results of this intensive treatment approach (Perz et al., BJH 2004; Sanchorawala et al, BMT 2004). Patients and methods: We performed a retrospective analysis in 100 AL amyloidosis pts transplanted in our centre since 1998. 94 pts received HDM as part of an upfront treatment. Major eligibility criteria were cardiac disease < NYHA stage III and performance status (PS) < 3. Median age of pts at SCT was 57 years (range 35–69 years). Fifty-five pts received a median of 2 IC cycles using VAD-like chemotherapy or pulsed high-dose dexamethasone within two prospective clinical trials. In 93 pts stem cell collection was performed after mobilization chemotherapy. Due to age >65 years or reduced PS (Karnofsky performance score <80%) the HDM dosage was reduced from 200 to 140 mg/m2 in 16 pts. HDM dosage was adapted to impaired renal function (creatinine clearance <60 ml/min to 85%, <45 ml/min to 75%, <30 ml/min to 70%, in dialysis pts to 50%) in 27 pts. Hematological remission (HR: CR or partial remission (PR)) and organ response were evaluated using Consensus Criteria (Gertz et al. Am J Hematol 2005). Results: Median follow-up since stem cell mobilization is 28 months (range 10–126). Transplant-related mortality was very low with 3% and could be reduced significantly since 2004 (1998 – 2004 vs 2005 – 2007, 7% vs. 0%, p=0.05). Median OS has not been reached. CR after HDM was achieved in 42/95 evaluable pts (44%) and PR in 35%. This resulted in an improved OS for HR pts (CR vs. PR vs. SD: median OS not reached vs. 88 vs. 22 months, respectively, p<0.001, Figure 1a). HR post SCT led to organ response in 40/92 evaluable pts (43%) and stabilization of organ function in 47% of pts. Of the 55 pts with IC 23 pts (42%) had achieved HR at SCT. Patients with IC had a higher CR rate after HDM (58% vs 29%, p<0.01). Consecutively, pts with HR at SCT showed an increased CR rate post HDM (70% vs 33%, p<0.005). This resulted in a significant prolonged OS (median not reached vs. 5 years, p<0.0001, Figure 1b). Pts receiving full-dose HDM had a longer OS (p=0.02) as well. Conclusion: Patients with AL amyloidosis who respond to pre-transplant IC have an excellent prognosis after HDM. This finding facilitates identification of those patients who particularly benefit from SCT and warrant prospective studies with new and more effective drugs for induction therapy to confirm and even improve these promising results. Figure Figure

High Dose Melphalan with Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation Overcomes Poor Prognosis of Primary Amyloidosis

Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (21) ◽  
pp. 1350-1350
Author(s):  
Simrit Parmar ◽  
Mubeen Khan ◽  
Gabriela Rondon ◽  
Nina Shah ◽  
Qaiser Bashir ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Plasma Cells ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Al Amyloidosis ◽  
Hematologic Response ◽  
Bone Marrow Plasma ◽  
Organ Response ◽  
High Dose Melphalan

Abstract Abstract 1350 Background: Systemic Primary AL Amyloidosis is a rare but potentially fatal disease resulting from tissue deposits of amyloid fibrils derived from monoclonal immunoglobulin light chains. High-dose melphalan followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (auto HCT) is associated with hematologic and organ responses and improved survival. Methods: In this retrospective analysis we identified 46 patients with primary AL amyloidosis who received auto HCT between 01/1998 to 05/2010 at MDACC. Organ responses were determined using Amyloidosis Consensus Criteria. Results: The median age at auto HSCT was 56 years (34-74) where 61% were males and 35% were older than 60 years of age. 61% had lambda light chain restriction and only 4% had cytogenetic abnormalities. Disease characteristics are summarized in Table 1. The median time from diagnosis to auto HCT was 6.6 months (2.2-29.4 months). 22 pts (47.8%) had one organ, 19 pts (41.3%) had 2 organ and 4 pts (8.7%) had 3 organ involvement. 11 pts (23.9%) had heart and 35 pts (76.1%) had kidney involvement. The median follow up from the time of diagnosis was 22.4 months and from time of auto HCT was 16.7 months. High dose Melphalan dose was 200mg/m2 in 24 pts (52%) and 140mg/m2 in 22 (47.8%). There were 4 early deaths and 4 pts whose follow up was less than 3 months and their response was not assessed. Out of the 38 evaluable patients, the post-transplant organ responses were as follows ≥PR 25(66%), ≥stable disease 35(92%) (Table2). The hematologic responses were: CR=5 (13%), ≥VGPR=10(26%), ≥PR=26 (68%), ≥SD=37(97%). One patient had progressive disease. There was a correlation between organ response and hematologic response (chi square;p<10-3). The day-100 treatment related mortality (TRM) was 8.7% and 1-yr TRM was 13%. The median progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) from auto HCT was 73.8 months and not reached (from transplant). The median PFS and OS from diagnosis were 93 months and 59.8 months respectively. In multivariate analysis, heart involvement (p=0.01), female sex (p=0.011), age ≥60 years (p=0.002), bone marrow plasma cells≥10% (p=0.043) and Beta-2 microglobulin>3.5mg/l (p=0.02) were associated with poor OS. Improved OS correlated with organ response (52.6 vs 11.4 months; p=0.01) and hematologic response (52.6 vs.6.1months; p=0.002). Hemoglobin <10 g/dl (p=0.047), bone marrow plasma cells≥10% (p=0.043) and age≥60 years (p=0.075) were associated with shorter PFS. Hematologc response (p=0.48) and organ response (p=0.12) were not associated with improved PFS. Conclusion: In this analysis the outcome of patients with primary systemic AL amyloidosis was durable with auto HCT with acceptable mortality risk and improved survival. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Early Serum Free Light Chain Responses Following High-Dose Melphalan and Stem Cell Transplantation for AL Amyloidosis Predict Treatment Outcomes.

Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 1160-1160
Author(s):  
Vaishali Sanchorawala ◽  
Daniel G. Wright ◽  
Karen Quillen ◽  
Catherine Fisher ◽  
Martha Skinner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cell ◽  
Treatment Outcomes ◽  
Light Chain ◽  
Free Light Chain ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Al Amyloidosis ◽  
Serum Free ◽  
Serum Free Light Chain ◽  
Treatment Responses ◽  
High Dose Melphalan

Abstract AL amyloidosis is caused by a clonal plasma cell dyscrasia and characterized by widespread, progressive deposition of amyloid fibrils derived from monoclonal Ig light chains, leading to multisystem organ failure and death. Aggressive treatment of AL amyloidosis with high-dose melphalan followed by autologous stem cell transplant (HDM/SCT) can induce hematologic and clinical remissions and extend survival. Several approaches have been used to define hematologic responses following HDM/SCT and other forms of treatment. The standard definition of a hematologic complete response (CR) that we have used requires that there be no evidence of a persistent monoclonal gammopathy by immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE) of serum and urine proteins, or of a persistent plasmacytosis or plasma cell clonality in a bone marrow biopsy by immunohistochemistry. Others have defined hematologic responses according to reductions in free light chain (FLC) measurements. Treatment responses as defined by both criteria correlate with survival and clinical improvement following HDM/SCT. We have carried out a prospective analysis of HDM/SCT treatment outcomes for patients with AL amyloidosis to determine the extent to which early FLC responses within weeks of treatment predict hematologic CR, as defined by our standard criteria. Serum free light chain concentrations (FLC) were measured by a sensitive nephelometric immunoassay in 31 patients with AL amyloidosis, between 2003–2005, 1–3 weeks after treatment with HDM/SCT. Hematologic responses, as defined by standard criteria, as well as FLC responses were subsequently determined at 3, 6 and 12 months. Serum FLC levels or κ/λ FLC ratios were abnormal and informative in 28 patients (90%) prior to HDM/SCT, and these patients were included in subsequent analyses. Twenty patients (71%) achieved normalization of abnormal serum FLC levels or ratios within 1–3 weeks of undergoing HDM/SCT. Of these 20 patients, 13 patients (65%) subsequently achieved a hematologic CR as defined by standard criteria, while 7 (35%) did not, within 3 months following HDM/SCT. In contrast, none of the 8 patients with no demonstrable FLC response within 1–3 weeks of HDM/SCT, were found to have achieved a hematologic CR subsequently. In conclusion, meaningful quantitative FLC responses (or lack of response) can be detected within weeks following HDM/SCT treatment that predict hematologic responses, as defined subsequently by standard criteria based on IFE and marrow studies (p=0.0018 by chi square analysis). Moreover, a lack of an early FLC response predicts for hematologic non-CR. We anticipate that prospective studies of FLC responses in HDM/SCT and other clinical trials for AL amyloidosis will eventually lead to more rapid assessment of treatment responses that will guide therapeutic decisions.

Treatment of Light Chain (AL) Amyloidosis and Light Chain Deposition Disease (LCDD) with the Combination of Bortezomib and Dexamethasone.

Blood ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 110 (11) ◽  
pp. 191-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Efstathios Kastritis ◽  
Athanasios Anagnostopoulos ◽  
Maria Roussou ◽  
Savvas Toumanidis ◽  
Constantinos Pamboukas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Median Time ◽  
Light Chain ◽  
Dose Adjustment ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Al Amyloidosis ◽  
Light Chain Deposition Disease ◽  
Hematologic Response ◽  
Organ Response ◽  
Light Chain Deposition

Abstract Background: Primary (AL) amyloidosis and light chain deposition disease (LCDD) are clonal plasma cells disorders characterized by deposition of either amyloid fibrils (in AL) or amorphous nodular non-congophilic deposits (in LCDD) derived from abnormal light chains, that cause failure of affected organs. Treatment of AL is based on steroids and standard dose or high dose melphalan with ASCT. Data on treatment of LCDD are limited. Bortezomib, a proteasome inhibitor, has significant activity in myeloma, which is enhanced by the addition of dexamethasone (BD) and can be given in myeloma patients with renal impairment. We evaluated this combination in patients with AL and LCDD. Methods: We treated consecutive patients with AL or LCDD with the combination of Bortezomib (1.3 mg/m2 days 1, 4, 8 and 11) and Dexamethasone (40 mg days 1–4), every 21 days, for up to 6 cycles. Dose modifications were made based on toxicity. Organ involvement and hematologic and organ response were assessed following standard criteria (Gertz et al, Am J Hematol 2005). Results: Since September 2005, 21 consecutive AL and 2 LCDD patients started treatment with BD. Eight patients (38%) had at least one prior therapy and 13 (62%) had ≥2 organs involved; kidneys and heart were affected in most patients. The majority had impaired performance status, high BNP values and 7 (33%) patients had creatinine&gt;2 mg/dl. Among the 21 AL patients, 2 are early for evaluation, 4 had non-measurable disease and 15 patients are evaluable: 13 (87%) responded (CR+PR) and 7 (47%) achieved hematologic CR. All 5 patients refractory to high dose DEXA had a hematologic response and 3 had a CR. Two of 3 AL patients with abnormal FLC ratio but involved FLC&lt;100 mg/L achieved normal FLC ratio. Both patients with LCDD responded- the patient who was refractory to VAD had a CR. Median time to hematologic response was 0.93 months; all responses occurred within 2 courses while all patients in hematologic CR maintain CR for a median of 10.5 months (range 4.6–21). So far, 6 (28%) AL patients had organ responses (3 renal and 3 cardiac) while 7 (44%) patients had a sustained &gt;50% reduction in BNP. Median time to organ response in AL patients was 4 months (range 2–8). In both LCDD patients albuminuria was reduced by more than 50%. Median follow-up for all patients and for living patients is 9.5 months (range 1–23) and 12 months (range 4–23) respectively. In an intention to treat basis 8 (38%) patients have progressed, including 3 AL patients (14%) who died while on treatment (with two of them at hematologic PR at the time of their death- one died before she was assessable for response). Five AL patients had either hematologic or organ progression at a median of 6.8 months after treatment initiation. Peripheral neuropathy, fatigue, peripheral edema, constipation and exacerbation of postural hypotension were managed with appropriate dose adjustment; however 10 (47%) patients were not able to receive the planned 6 courses. Conclusions: The combination of BD is feasible for patients with AL amyloidosis and LCDD. Most patients achieve rapid hematologic response and toxicity can be managed with close follow-up and appropriate dose adjustment. This treatment may be a valid option for patients with severe heart or kidney impairment who are not candidates for other therapies.

Long Term Follow up of the Combination of Bortezomib with Dexamethasone as Initial Treatment for AL Amyloidosis

Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (21) ◽  
pp. 3048-3048
Author(s):  
Efstathios Kastritis ◽  
Maria Roussou ◽  
Magdalini Migkou ◽  
Maria Gavriatopoulou ◽  
Constantinos Pamboukas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Initial Treatment ◽  
Cardiac Amyloidosis ◽  
Cardiac Involvement ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Al Amyloidosis ◽  
Long Term Follow Up ◽  
Organ Response ◽  
High Dose Melphalan

Abstract Abstract 3048 Until recently, patients with AL amyloidosis had limited treatment options, especially those who were not candidates for high dose therapy, those with severe cardiac involvement or patients who relapsed after initial treatment or never responded to first line alkylators with steroids. Bortezomib (B) with dexamethasone (D) has shown significant activity in patients with AL amyloidosis in patients who relapsed or even those who were refractory to initial treatment. We and others have presented data indicating that BD is active in newly diagnosed patients with AL, inducing responses rapidly but also associated with high rates of complete responses. However, data about long-term follow-up of these patients are limited. Thus, we updated a series of 24, previously untreated patients who received frontline BD. In all patients, treatment started with B at a dose of 1.3 mg/m2 on days 1, 4, 8 & 11 and D was given for 4 consecutive days at a dose of 40 mg per day (days 1–4), every 21 days for up to 6 cycles. The median age of these patients was 70 years (range 42–82) and 46% were males. The median number of involved organs was 2; heart was involved in 83% and kidneys in 63%. Fifty-seven percent were Mayo stage II and 26% were Mayo stage III while 67% had impaired ECOG performance status ≥ 2. The first patient started treatment with BD on September 2005. A median of 5 cycles of BD was given (range 1–6) and 57% of patients received the planned 6 cycles. On intent to treat and according to criteria published by Gertz et al in 2005, 77% of patients achieved a hematologic response including 36% with a hematologic CR. Most of the responses occurred after the first cycle of BD (median time to first response <1 month), while a median of two cycles of BD was needed for CR (median time to CR was 42 days, range 21–84). In 54% of patients an organ response was recorded: 47% of patients with a cardiac involvement achieved a cardiac response and 77% had a reduction of NTproBNP ≥ 30% (which was at least 300 pg/ml), while 60% of patients with a kidney involvement achieved an organ response. Three patients received high dose melphalan with autologous stem cell transplant (HDM-ASCT) after they had completed 6 cycles of BD, 2 while in CR and one in PR. All these 3 patients had achieved organ responses before ASCT. The median follow up for all patients is 31 months. Thirteen patients (54%) have died; most of them due to complications of cardiac amyloidosis and the median survival is estimated to exceed 36 months (patients who underwent ASCT were censored at the time of HDM). Baseline NT-proBNP was the most significant factor independently associated with survival. There were no differences in the baseline characteristics of patients who achieved CR compared to those who achieved a PR as best hematologic response. The median follow up for patients who achieved a CR is 31 months (range 2–55 months). One patient died early due to complications of cardiac amyloidosis, while she had achieved a CR. Among the rest of the patients who achieved a CR but did not receive HDM, all remain alive and without progression for a median of 32 months. Similarly none of the patients who received HDM has relapsed. Among patients who achieved a PR as their best response, 4 (50%) have relapsed and the median progression free survival (PFS) for these patients is 9 months and their median survival is 34 months. In conclusion, BD induces high rates of CRs, in unselected, patients with previously untreated AL amyloidosis, most of whom had features of advanced disease and elevated cardiobiomarkers. i.e. patients that may be excluded form clinical trials. The severity of cardiac involvement remains the most important prognostic factor despite the rapid responses and the high rates of hematologic CRs. It is also of interest to note that CRs may persist even in patients who did not receive any alkylating agents or consolidation with high dose melphalan. A CR is associated with improved survival and should be the primary goal of treatment in patients with AL. Our data indicate that primary treatment with bortezomib based regimens should be evaluated in a phase III trial. Disclosures: Dimopoulos: Ortho-Biotech: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria; Millennium: Honoraria.

High-Dose Melphalan and Stem Cell Transplantation for Patients with AL Amyloidosis and Cardiac Involvement

Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 118 (21) ◽  
pp. 2043-2043
Author(s):  
Saulius Girnius ◽  
David C Seldin ◽  
Karen Quillen ◽  
Nancy T Andrea ◽  
John Mark Sloan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Overall Survival ◽  
Cardiac Involvement ◽  
Troponin I ◽  
Performance Status ◽  
Stage I ◽  
Stage Iii ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Al Amyloidosis ◽  
Cardiac Biomarker ◽  
High Dose Melphalan

Abstract Abstract 2043 Treatment of AL amyloidosis (AL) with high dose melphalan and autologous stem cell transplant (HDM/SCT) results in a high rate of durable complete hematologic responses associated with clinical responses and improvement in survival. However, patients with cardiac involvement are at increased risk of treatment-related mortality (TRM). Recently, cardiac biomarkers, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and troponins, have been used to predict survival for AL amyloidosis patients, including those undergoing treatment with HDM/SCT. Here we report on treatment-related mortality (TRM), overall survival, and time to next treatment (progression) and hematologic responses in patients with AL amyloidosis and cardiac involvement, stratified by cardiac biomarker stage, treated with HDM/SCT. Eligibility for HDM/SCT was based upon strict functional and clinical criteria rather than upon staging based upon biomarkers, and required a Zubrod performance status <2, NYHA heart failure class < III, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) >40%, and adequate cardiopulmonary reserve at a stair climb. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing was also used for some patients. Cardiac involvement was determined by electrocardiographic and echocardiographic abnormalities, as defined by Consensus Opinion of the 10th Symposium on Amyloid and Amyloidosis. A cardiac risk assessment or “cardiac staging” system incorporating biomarkers was used, with patients assigned to stage I (normal biomarkers, BNP < 100 pg/mL and troponin I < 0.1 ng/mL), II (one elevated biomarker) or III (both biomarkers elevated). Between 1/2008 and 10/2010, 35 patients with AL amyloidosis and cardiac involvement were treated with HDM/SCT. The median age was 58 years (range, 41–72). There were 17 males (49%) and 29 (83%) with lambda clonal plasma cell dyscrasia. All but one patient had multi-organ involvement and 80% (n=28) had renal involvement. Eleven percent (n=4) patients had cardiac biomarker stage I disease, 31% (n=11) had stage II disease, and 57% (n=20) had stage III disease. The median troponin I level was 0.121 ng/mL (range, 0.006 – 0.523), and the median BNP was 224 pg/mL (range, 18–923). The median interventricular septal thickness was 13 mm (range, 9–18) and the median LVEF was 60% (range, 40–70). Peripheral blood stem cells were mobilized using G-CSF alone at 10–16 m/kg/day for 3–4 days. The total dose of melphalan, administered over two consecutive days, depending on age, severity of cardiac disease and performance status. Forty % (n=14) received 200 mg/m2 HDM and 60% (n=21) received 140 mg/m2 HDM. TRM, defined as deaths within 100 days of SCT, occurred in 3 patients (9%), all cardiac stage III (3/20, 15% of the stage III patients); patients with cardiac stage I or II did not have any TRM. This compares to a TRM of 3% (n=1/30) in patients without cardiac involvement who were treated with HDM/SCT during the same time period (Fisher's exact test, p=0.6177). There were two additional deaths during the first year after HDM/SCT, one with cardiac stage II disease and one with stage III disease. Three-year overall survival for combined Stage I and II disease was 93%, for Stage III it was 76%, and for the cohort without cardiac involvement it was 96% (p=0.08). Three-year progression free survival for combined Stage I and II disease was 69%, for Stage III it was 45%, and without cardiac involvement it was 69% (p=0.0424). Median overall survival and progression free survivals have not been reached, with a median follow-up for 21 months. By intention-to-treat analysis, 23% (n=8) of patients achieved a hematologic complete response (CR) and 46% (n=16) a partial response (PR) at 1 year following HDM/SCT. Thirty % (n=11) required additional treatment by one year following HDM/SCT. While the cardiac biomarker stage III group clearly encompasses patients at high risk of early mortality from disease and complications of treatment, for patients that meet functional criteria for HDM/SCT, this therapeutic modality may offer the potential for effective treatment for selected stage III patients. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals Calreticulin expression in the clonal plasma cells of patients with systemic light-chain (AL-) amyloidosis is associated with response to high-dose melphalan

Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 111 (2) ◽  
pp. 549-557 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ping Zhou ◽  
Julie Teruya-Feldstein ◽  
Ping Lu ◽  
Martin Fleisher ◽  
Adam Olshen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Cell ◽  
Light Chain ◽  
Calcium Binding ◽  
Plasma Cells ◽  
Complete Response ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Al Amyloidosis ◽  
Embryonic Fibroblasts ◽  
Knock Out ◽  
High Dose Melphalan

In high doses with stem-cell transplantation, melphalan is an effective but toxic therapy for patients with systemic light-chain (AL-) amyloidosis, a protein deposition and monoclonal plasma cell disease. Melphalan can eliminate the indolent clonal plasma cells that cause the disease, an achievement called a complete response. Such a response is usually associated with extended survival, while no response (a less than 50% reduction) is not. Gene-expression studies and a stringently supervised analysis identified calreticulin as having significantly higher expression in the pretreatment plasma cells of patients with systemic AL-amyloidosis who then had a complete response to high-dose melphalan. Calreticulin is a pleiotropic calcium-binding protein found in the endoplasmic reticulum and the nucleus whose overexpression is associated with increased sensitivity to apoptotic stimuli. Real-time PCR and immunohistochemical staining also showed that expression of calreticulin was higher in the plasma cells of those with a complete response. Furthermore, wild-type murine embryonic fibroblasts were significantly more sensitive to melphalan than calreticulin knock-out murine embryonic fibroblasts. These data have important implications for understanding the activity of melphalan in plasma-cell diseases and support further investigation of calreticulin and its modulation in patients with systemic AL-amyloidosis receiving high-dose melphalan.

scholarly journals Early Serum Free Light Chain Response after High-Dose Melphalan and Stem Cell Transplantation Predicts Hematologic Response in AL Amyloidosis

Blood ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 136 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 26-26
Author(s):  
Vanessa Fiorini Furtado ◽  
Dina Brauneis ◽  
Shayna Sarosiek ◽  
Karen Quillen ◽  
Vaishali Sanchorawala
Keyword(s):  
Light Chain ◽  
Research Funding ◽  
Amyloid Fibrils ◽  
Advisory Board ◽  
Free Light Chain ◽  
Light Chains ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Al Amyloidosis ◽  
Serum Free Light Chain ◽  
High Dose Melphalan

Introduction Immunoglobulin light chain (AL) amyloidosis is a rare disease caused by a clonal plasma cell dyscrasia producing monoclonal light chains that misfold and form amyloid fibrils which can deposit in a variety of tissues and organs. This deposition of amyloid fibrils can lead to progressive organ impairment, multi-organ failure, and death if left untreated. High-dose melphalan and autologous stem cell transplantation (HDM/SCT) is known to improve patient outcomes with hematologic complete responses (CR) rates of 25-67%. Hematologic CR is currently defined as the absence of monoclonal protein in serum and urine by immunofixation electrophoreses and normal serum free light chain ratio (FLCR). Studies have shown that even among patients achieving a normal FLCR after initial therapy with HDM, persistent elevation of the involved FLC (hiFLC) predicts poor prognosis. Serum half-life of FLCs is approximately 2-6 hours, even with diminished glomerular filtration rates, and could be a tool for early treatment response evaluation. We sought to determine the extent to which early FLC responses after HDM/SCT predict hematologic complete response (CR) at 6 months. Methods We analyzed patients with AL amyloidosis who underwent HDM/SCT from 2012-2019 at Boston Medical Center. Exclusion criteria included death within 100 days, lack of FLC data at any time point, pre-SCT normal FLC concentrations and ratio, and chronic renal insufficiency (serum creatinine &gt;1.3 mg/dL) with a normal FLC ratio. All subjects received a total of 140-200 mg/m2 melphalan IV in equally divided doses on days -3 and -2. Stem cells were infused on day 0. FLC measurements were obtained early in the peri-SCT period (&lt; 1 month), at 6 months, and at 12 months after HDM/SCT. The patients were evaluated for response according to the consensus response criteria at 6 months. Statistical analysis to compare CR at 6 months and early post-SCT free light chain levels was performed by Chi-square with significance considered at p&lt;0.05. Results Of the 113 patients with AL amyloidosis treated with HDM/SCT during the specified time period, 32 were excluded (4 died within 100 days of SCT, 15 had normal FLCs pre-SCT, 5 lacked data, and 8 had chronic renal insufficiency (Cr &gt;1.3 mg/dL) with normal FLCR. A total of 81 subjects (females=30) were analyzed. Median follow-up from SCT was 27.6 months (range, 6-145). Median time of early post-SCT FLC measurement was 8 days (range, 7-30). Median age at diagnosis was 58 years (range 30-79) and the iFLC was lambda in 81.5% (n = 66) of patients. Median number of bone marrow plasma cells was 10% (range, 1-50). The mean absolute involved FLC was 196 mg/L ±221 prior to SCT, 60 mg/L ± 77 in the early post-SCT period, 92 mg/L ± 152 at 6 months post-SCT. In early post-SCT period, 39.5% (n=32) had iFLC &lt;20 mg/L, 28% (n=16/57) had dFLC&lt;10 mg/L, and 84% (n=48/57) had normal FLCR. Early post-SCT dFLC &lt;10 mg/dL and early post-SCT iFLC &lt;20 mg/L were statistically associated with prediction of hematologic CR at 6 months (p=0.025 and p=0.001, respectively). However, early post-SCT normal FLCR was not associated with predicting hematologic CR at 6 months. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of early post-SCT iFLC &lt;20 mg/L, dFLC &lt;10 mg/L and normal FLCR to predict hematologic CR at 6 months are presented in table 1. Conclusion This study concludes that achievement of dFLC &lt;10 mg/L and iFLC &lt;20 mg/L in the early post-SCT period is associated with prediction of hematologic CR at 6 months. Early post-SCT dFLC &lt;10 mg/L could be considered a tool for early evaluation of treatment response following HDM/SCT in AL amyloidosis. Key words: immunoglobulin light chains; AL amyloidosis, HDM/SCT Disclosures Sarosiek: Spectrum: Research Funding. Sanchorawala:Caelum: Research Funding; Prothena: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Takeda: Research Funding; Proclara: Other: advisory board; Abbvie: Other: advisory board; UpToDate: Patents & Royalties; Oncopeptide: Research Funding; Regeneron: Other: advisory board; Caleum: Other: advisory board; Janssen: Research Funding.

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