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.

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 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 Dartumumab in Pretreated AL Amyloidosis: A Systematic Review

Blood ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 136 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 46-47
Author(s):  
Iqraa Ansar ◽  
Karun Neupane ◽  
Hamid Ehsan ◽  
Muhammad Yasir Anwar ◽  
Hassaan Imtiaz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Partial Response ◽  
Light Chain ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Renal Involvement ◽  
Al Amyloidosis ◽  
Cell Transplant ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Mesh Terms ◽  
Combination Regimens

Background: Amyloidosis is characterized by the deposition of misfolded lambda or kappa light chain (AL) proteins in tissue. It commonly affects the heart, which correlates with poor prognosis. Disease-modifying therapies aim to suppress the production of abnormal light chains. Daratumumab (Dara) use is associated with a reduction in light chain protein production. Dara is a human anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody approved for the treatment of newly diagnosed and Relapsed & Refractory Multiple Myeloma. AL amyloidosis plasma cells express CD38, and therefore, Dara is an attractive alternative in this setting. This review aims to assess the efficacy and safety of daratumumab in pre-treated AL amyloidosis patients. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive literature search in PubMed, Embase, Medline using MeSH terms and keywords "AL amyloidosis," "daratumumab", and "darzalex" to incorporate the studies published up to July 2020. We included studies assessing the efficacy and safety of daratumumab alone or in combination with other therapies in pretreated AL amyloidosis. After excluding duplicates, non-relevant, and review articles, we selected four prospective and twelve retrospective studies. RESULTS: In our review, data on 482 patients were included. The ages ranged from 35-88 years. The median number of prior therapies was 3 (ranges:2-6), and the most common therapy was bortezomib in 90% of patients followed by immunomodulators in 55% and stem cell transplant in 35%. A total of 260 (54%) patients received Dara monotherapy, 126 (26%) received Dara plus Dexamethasone (d), and 96 (20%) patients received other Dara containing two or three-drug regimens. The time from the diagnosis to the start of Dara therapy varied from 1 to 137 months. 71 % of patients had cardiac, and 62 % had renal involvement. There was a greater than 30 % reduction of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in cardiac patients responsive to therapy. 1. Daratumumab monotherapy: Dara monotherapy achieved an overall response rate (ORR) of 76% (191/249), complete response (CR) of 30% (69/224), very good partial response (VGPR) of 41% (79/192) and partial response (PR) of 14% (19/140). The overall survival (OS) ranges from 59-100% at 10-12 months were noted. Table 1. 2. Daratumumab+ Dexamethasone: Dara plus d achieved ORR of 81% (86/106), CR of 51% (53/102), VGPR of 29% (18/62), PR of 15% (15/102), and OS of 87% at 24 months. Table 1. 3. Daratumumab with combination regimens: The use of Dara based combination regimens of Dara+pomalidomide (P)+d (36% of patients), Dara+lenalidomide (R)+d (32%) and Dara+bortezomib (V)+d (18%), reported by Abeykoon et al., showed an ORR of 88% (14/16), CR of 19 % (3/16), VGPR of 63% (10/16), PR of 6 %(1/16), OS of 89 % at 10 months and progression-free survival (PFS) of 83% at 10 months. Godara et al. reported an ORR of 100% (9/9) using a combination of Dara and birtamimab. The combination of D+cyclophosphamide (c)+V+d reported by Palladini et al. achieved an ORR of 96 % (27/28), CR of 36 % (11/28), VGPR of 29 % (8/28) and PR of 14 % (4/28).Table 1. The most reported adverse event was infusion-related reactions; grade 3-4 adverse were less than 10 % and mostly related to the heart (heart failure & atrial fibrillation). The most-reported hematological adverse effects were anemia, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, infections, and sepsis. The most common non-hematological adverse events were heart failure, bronchitis, pneumonia, fatigue, nausea, and diarrhea. Table 2. Conclusion: Dara therapy is associated with promising efficacy with a response rate of more than 70% when used alone and more than 80% when used in combination. These regimens are well tolerated in advanced cardiac disease patients with a tolerable risk of volume overload and infusion-related complications. Additional multicenter randomized, double-blind clinical trials are needed to confirm these results. Disclosures Anwer: Incyte, Seattle Genetics, Acetylon Pharmaceuticals, AbbVie Pharma, Astellas Pharma, Celegene, Millennium Pharmaceuticals.: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau.

Frequency of Amyloid Subtyping Among Patients with Immunoglobulin Light-Chain Amyloidosis Referred for High-Dose Chemotherapy and Autologous Stem Cell Transplant

Blood ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 128 (22) ◽  
pp. 5601-5601
Author(s):  
Andrew J. Cowan ◽  
David G. Coffey ◽  
Teresa S. Hyun ◽  
Pamela S. Becker ◽  
Damian J. Green ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Plasma Cell ◽  
Light Chain ◽  
Congo Red ◽  
Plasma Cell Dyscrasia ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Al Amyloidosis ◽  
Cell Transplant ◽  
Immunoglobulin Light Chain ◽  
Organ Systems

Abstract Background: The amyloidoses comprise a heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by misfolding of amyloidogenic proteins and subsequent deposition as amyloid fibrils. To date, over 30 proteins are known to be amyloidogenic (Sipe Amyloid 2014). Immunoglobulin light chain (AL) amyloidosis, a plasma cell dyscrasia, is the most common subtype. The standard diagnostic algorithm in AL amyloidosis is to obtain a biopsy of a clinically involve organ, and once Congo red positivity is confirmed, perform subtyping analyses with immunohistochemistry or mass spectrometry. Accurate subtyping of amyloidosis is essential to appropriate treatment, as misdiagnosis occurs in up to 10% of patients and may lead to inappropriate administration of chemotherapy (Comenzo Blood 2006; Lachmann NEJM 2002). We sought to determine the patterns of amyloid subtyping among patients with a diagnosis of AL amyloidosis referred to a tertiary referral center for HDM/SCT. Methods: Sequential patients with confirmed amyloidosis, age ≥ 18 years who underwent HDM/SCT between 2001 and 2014 at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and University of Washington Medical Center were eligible. Presence of a Congo red-positive biopsy for each patient referred for transplant was confirmed and the pathology reports and medical records were reviewed to determine if subtyping was performed, and which modality was used. Results: Fifty-one patients with AL amyloidosis were referred for transplant; of these, 45 proceeded with HDM/SCT. The organ systems most commonly involved were renal in 34/51, and gastrointestinal in 5/51. Of the biopsies, subtyping was performed in 35 (68.6%), and no subtyping was performed in 16 patients (31.3%). Immunofluorescence was the most common modality used for subtyping in 33 biopsies (94.2%) and laser capture/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) was used in 2 patients (5.7%). All patients had evidence of a clonal plasma cell dyscrasia by bone marrow biopsy and peripheral blood testing. Of the patients without subtyping, 8 (50%) were diagnosed before 2008. Discussion: Misdiagnosis of amyloidosis due to a lack of appropriate subtyping is a well-described and ongoing problem for patients with amyloidosis. These data suggest that definitive subtyping is still not routinely performed in the evaluation of amyloidosis. At our center, efforts to standardize the evaluation of Congo-red positive biopsies using definitive typing are underway. Disclosures Gopal: Seattle Genetics: Research Funding.

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 Improved Outcomes of Autologous Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (AHCT) for Light Chain (AL) Amyloidosis: A Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Registry (CIBMTR) Study

Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 193-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anita D'Souza ◽  
Baldeep Wirk ◽  
Mei-Jie Zhang ◽  
Jiaxing Huang ◽  
Amrita Krishnan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multivariate Analysis ◽  
Plasma Cell ◽  
Light Chain ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Renal Involvement ◽  
Organ Involvement ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Al Amyloidosis ◽  
Karnofsky Performance Score ◽  
Renal Response

Abstract Background: Light chain (AL) amyloidosis is a rare plasma cell neoplasm associated with systemic amyloid deposition leading to organ dysfunction and death without treatment. The use of AHCT in AL amyloidosis remains controversial as a prospective randomized control trial suggested inferior outcomes when compared with standard chemotherapy, driven primarily by high peri-transplant mortality (TRM) up to 24%. Improved patient selection criteria, supportive care and risk-adapted therapy have reduced TRM in recent single center studies. We analyzed trends and prognostic factors associated with AHCT outcomes in AL amyloidosis patients. Methods: We identified 1532 AL amyloidosis patients who underwent AHCT following high dose melphalan (MEL) within 24 months of diagnosis between 1995 and 2012 from the CIBMTR database. A subset of patients with more complete level of research data reported between 2001 and 2012 was analyzed for multivariate analysis (n=354). The primary endpoints were day30 and day100 mortality, hematologic progression free survival (PFS), hematologic relapse/progression and overall survival (OS). Data regarding cardiac, renal, hepatic and neurologic amyloid involvement was collected. Hematologic and organ response and progression were defined based on the 2004 uniform consensus criteria. Results: The median age at transplant was 57 years, with 61% males. AHCT was performed within 6 months of diagnosis in 66% patients. Karnofsky performance score (KPS) was <80 in 14%, HCT-CI was ≥ 3 in 20% and 69% had a lambda isotype. Organ involvement included renal, cardiac, hepatic and autonomic nervous system involvement in 74%, 38%, 16% and 11% respectively. Coexistent myeloma (>10% bone marrow plasma cells) was seen in 14%. Progressively higher numbers of patients received AHCT from 1995-2000 (n=140) to 2001-2006 (n=595) and 2007-2012 (n=800). The majority were untreated pre-transplant (77%) while 8% received melphalan, 6% thalidomide and 4% each received lenalidomide and bortezomib based pre-AHCT therapy. The median CD34 cell dose infused was 4.4 X 106/kg cells (IQR 3.3-6.2). MEL dose reduction was common (60% received < MEL 180 mg/m2 and 38% < MEL 140 mg/m2). The median length of hospital stay was 17 days (IQR 13-23). The median follow-up of patients from the time of transplant was 61 months (range 3-145). Day100 response included hematologic complete response, CR (12%), partial response, PR (26%), stable disease, SD (23%), and renal response (12%) with an ultimate best response of hematologic CR (33%), PR (28%), SD (19%) and renal response in 31%. Table 1 shows day30 and day100 mortality and OS at 1, 3 and 5 years showing steady declines in mortality rates and improvements in survival in successive time cohorts. Figure 1 shows the 5 year OS in each of the time cohorts. On multivariate analysis, albumin ≥ 3 g/dl at diagnosis, KPS ≥80, pre-transplant anti-plasma cell therapy and MEL ≥180 mg/m2 were associated with lower hematologic relapse/progression. KPS ≥80 and predominant renal involvement were associated with superior hematologic PFS while KPS ≥80 and < 2 organ involvement correlated with OS. Table 1 Outcomes of AHCT in AL amyloidosis. Values are expressed as probabilities with 95% confidence intervals. 1995-2000 N=140 2001-2006 N=595 2007-2012 N=800 Day 30 mortality 11 (7-17) 5 (4-7) 3 (2-4) Day 100 mortality 20 (14-27) 11 (8-13) 5 (4-7) 1 year survival 75 (67-82) 85 (81-87) 90 (88-92) 3 year survival 64 (56-72) 72 (68-75) 83 (80-86) 5 year survival 55 (46-63) 61 (57-65) 77 (72-82) Conclusions: There has been a significant improvement in survival of AL patients after AHCT driven primarily by a reduction in early peri-transplant mortality. Limited organ involvement, higher KPS, use of pre-transplant therapy and higher dose melphalan conditioning contributed to superior outcomes. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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.

Serum Free Light Chain Responses after High-Dose Intravenous Melphalan and Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation for AL (Primary) Amyloidosis.

Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 942-942
Author(s):  
Vaishali Sanchorawala ◽  
Daniel G. Wright ◽  
Barbarajean Magnani ◽  
Martha Skinner ◽  
David C. Seldin
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cell ◽  
Plasma Cell ◽  
Light Chain ◽  
Free Light Chain ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Al Amyloidosis ◽  
Cell Transplant ◽  
Serum Free ◽  
Hematologic Response ◽  
Serum Free Light Chain

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 of plasma cell dyscrasias underlying AL amyloidosis following HDM/SCT and other forms of treatment. The 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 persistent plasmacytosis or plasma cell clonality in a bone marrow biopsy by immunohistochemistry. Others have defined hematologic response as a ≥ 50% reduction in free light chain (FLC) measurements. Hematologic responses by both criteria correlate with survival and clinical improvement following HDM/SCT. We have carried out a retrospective analysis of HDM/SCT treatment outcomes for patients with AL amyloidosis to determine the extent to which hematologic CR, by our standard criteria, correlates with FLC response. Serum free light chain concentrations (FLC) were measured by a sensitive nephelometric immunoassay in 67 patients with AL amyloidosis before and after treatment with HDM/SCT. After treatment with HDM/SCT, 27 patients (40%) achieved a CR by standard criteria. Of these 27 patients, 63% (n=17) demonstrated normalization of FLC levels and an improvement of ≥50% in FLC occurred in 100%. Of the 40 patients who did not achieve a CR, 25% (n=10) experienced normalization of FLC levels, and an improvement of ≥50% occurred in 78% (n=31), while only 5 patients (13%) experienced no significant change in FLC. The average improvement in FLC was 94% for patients who achieved a CR by standard criteria and 72% for those who did not (p=0.0001, t-test). Thus, HDM/SCT was found to induce improvements in FLC levels of ≥50% in the vast majority of AL amyloidosis patients treated with HDM/SCT (87%, or 58/67). These data indicate that a decrease in FLC of ≥50% is a substantially less stringent indicator of hematologic response than is CR, as defined by standard criteria. Nonetheless, these measures of hematologic response are complementary, since decreases in FLC can be detected earlier following treatment than changes in IFE and marrow studies required to determine CR.

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.

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