The role of induction therapy before autologous stem cell transplantation in low disease burden AL amyloidosis patients.

BACKGROUND: Induction therapy is recommended before autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) for AL amyloidosis patients with high disease burden [bone marrow plasma cells (BMPCs) > 10%], but the role of induction therapy before ASCT in patients with low disease burden (BMPCs ≤ 10%) is still unknown. METHODS: A total of 227 patients with AL amyloidosis were included in this study. Among 227 patients, 124 patients received bortezomib-based induction prior to ASCT and were defined as group A, 35 patients received other chemotherapeutic induction and were defined as group B, and the other 68 patients without induction were defined as group C. We compared the differences of efficacy and prognosis between the three groups. RESULTS: The haematological overall response rates (ORR) of groups A, B and C were 91%, 67% and 75%, respectively. The complete response rates (CR) of groups A, B and C were 50%, 25% and 20%, respectively. Both the ORR and CR rates of group A were significantly higher than those of groups B and C. The renal response rates of groups A, B and C were 64%, 46% and 47%, respectively. The cardiac response rates of groups A, B and C were 74%, 45% and 40%, respectively. The renal and cardiac responses rates of group A were also significantly higher than those of the other two groups. After a median follow-up of 44 months, the median OS was not reached. The 5-year estimated overall survival (OS) rates of groups A, B and C were 81%, 57% and 67%, respectively. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 83 months for all patients. The 5-year estimated PFS rates of groups A, B and C were 61%, 38% and 49%, respectively. Both the OS and PFS of group A were higher than those of both group B and group C. On multivariate analysis, baseline dFLC > 50 mg/L was associated with worse survival, but induction with bortezomib was associated with better survival. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that low disease burden AL patients who are eligible for ASCT may benefit from bortezomib-based induction therapy.

Challenges in the management of patients with systemic light chain (AL) amyloidosis during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-associated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is primarily manifested as a respiratory tract infection, but may affect and cause complications in multiple organ systems (cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, kidneys, haematopoietic and immune systems), while no proven specific therapy exists. The challenges associated with COVID-19 are even greater for patients with light chain (AL) amyloidosis, a rare multisystemic disease affecting the heart, kidneys, liver, gastrointestinal and nervous system. Patients with AL amyloidosis may need to receive chemotherapy, which probably increases infection risk. Management of COVID-19 may be particularly challenging in patients with AL amyloidosis, who often present with cardiac dysfunction, nephrotic syndrome, neuropathy, low blood pressure and gastrointestinal symptoms. In addition, patients with AL amyloidosis may be more susceptible to toxicities of drugs used to manage COVID-19. Access to health care may be difficult or limited, diagnosis of AL amyloidosis may be delayed with detrimental consequences and treatment administration may need modification. Both patients and treating physicians need to adapt in a new reality.

Assessment of minimal residual disease using multiparametric flow cytometry in patients with AL amyloidosis.

Despite achieving a hematologic complete response after treatment, many patients with AL amyloidosis do not attain recovery of organ function and/or experience hematologic relapse. A persistent plasma cell clone producing amyloidogenic light chains at levels below the detection threshold of traditional serologic methods is hypothesized to impede organ response in some patients. Assessment of minimal residual disease (MRD) may therefore have clinical importance as a more stringent treatment response tool for patients in a hematologic complete response. We used 2-tube, 10-color combination multiparametric flow cytometry to assess for MRD at a minimum sensitivity of 1 in 105 nucleated cells. Of 65 patients in hematologic complete response, 36 (55%) were found to have a residual clonal plasma cell population in the bone marrow. Comparing the MRD-negative and MRD-positive groups, renal response was observed in 88% vs 64% (P = .06), cardiac response in 75% vs 59% (P = .45), and any organ response in 90% vs 75% (P = .20) of patients. Depth of organ response as measured by the percent decrease in 24-hour proteinuria and brain natriuretic peptide was 96% vs 91% (P = .16) and 55% vs 46% (P = .66), respectively. These data suggest a possible correlation between MRD negativity and higher probability of organ response after treatment in AL amyloidosis. Future prospective studies with a larger cohort are needed to determine the clinical relevance of these improvements. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00898235.

New developments in diagnosis, risk assessment and management in systemic amyloidosis.

Amyloidosis is a group of disorders characterized by a misfolded protein that deposits in organs and compromise their function. Clinician should have a high index of suspicion because in most cases, the clinical picture is non-specific. Typing of amyloid is of utmost importance and should be an integral part of accurately diagnosing a patient. AL amyloidosis is the most common systemic amyloidosis in the western world in which the misfolded proteins are immunoglobulin light chains secreted by clonal plasma cells. New data about prognostication of AL amyloidosis patients are accumulating. The treatment goal is to eradicate the amyloidogenic plasma cell clone, by using high dose melphalan and/or novel agents (proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulatory drugs, monoclonal antibodies against CD38). Early diagnosis is important for effectively treating the patient as late diagnosis hampers chances for organ recovery. ATTR amyloidosis is less recognized but is increasingly seen due to better recognition and improved diagnostic tools. New data about treatment options (patisiran, inotersen and tafamidis) have recently been published and are discussed.

Healthcare resource utilization and costs in amyloid light-chain amyloidosis: a real-world study using US claims data.

AIM: To estimate healthcare utilization and costs in amyloid light-chain (AL) amyloidosis. PATIENTS & METHODS: AL amyloidosis patients were identified in 2007-2015 claims databases if they had ≥1 inpatient/≥2 outpatient claims consistent with AL amyloidosis and received ≥1 AL-specific treatment. Descriptive statistics were reported. RESULTS: 50.1% (n = 3670) were admitted ≥1 time during the year, 11.3% (n = 827) ≥3 times. From 2007 to 2015, bortezomib use increased from 4.6 to 25.3%; melphalan use decreased from 18.9 to 2.0%; costs increased from 92,866 to $114,030. Among incident patients with at least 2 years of follow-up, healthcare utilization and costs decreased from first to second year post-diagnosis. CONCLUSION: AL chemotherapy-based prescribing practices changed. Total annual healthcare costs increased over time among AL amyloidosis patients.

Opciones de tratamiento para amiloidosis hepática / Treatment options for hepatic amyloidosis

CONTEXTO: La amiloidosis sistémica primaria ocurre en alrededor del 8 por millón de personas por año. La edad media al momento del diagnóstico es de 64 años, pero se puede presentar a cualquier edad. La relación hombre-mujer es de casi 2:1. Todas las estrategias actuales de manejo incluyen la destrucción de las células plasmáticas responsables de la síntesis de cadena ligera de inmunoglobulina. El objetivo de la terapia incluye la eliminación de las cadenas proteicas ligeras con plegamiento erróneo lo más pronto posible para evitar su toxicidad y el tratamiento de soporte para el o los órganos afectados. TRATAMIENTO: El tratamiento de elección es melfalán en altas dosis más trasplante autólogo de células madre (SCT). Sin embargo este tratamiento no está indicado en pacientes con alguno de los siguientes criterios: Contraindicaciones absolutas: -Insuficiencia cardíaca congestiva; -Bilirrubina total >3.0 mg/dL; - Fracción de eyección evaluada por ecocardiografía <30%. Contraindicaciones relativas: -Creatinina sérica < 2.0 mg/dL; -Engrosamiento del tabique interventricular <15mm; -Edad >60 años; -Más de dos órganos involucrados. En pacientes con amiloidosis AL que no son candidatos para terapia de remplazo autólogo con células madre se sugiere considerar el uso de melfalán asociado a dexametasona en altas dosis en lugar de la asociación melfalán más prednisona. La combinación de melfalán y dexametasona tiene el historial más largo con resultados de 5 años de seguimiento y es considerado como la principal opción para el tratamiento de terapia pacientes con amiloidosis AL que no son candidatos para terapia de remplazo autólogo con células madre. Algunos estudios no encontraron diferencias significativas en la sobrevida y tasas de remisión entre melfalán+SCT versus melfalán+dexametasona. RESULTADOS DE LA BÚSQUEDA: Documentos selecionados: 10. Recomendaciones y nivel de evidencia (GRADE): En pacientes con amiloidosis AL que no son candidatos para terapia de remplazo autólogo con células madre se sugiere considerar el uso de melfalán asociado a dexametasona en altas dosis en lugar de la asociación melfalán más prednisona. El trasplante hepático no debe considerarse como una opción de primera línea para el tratamiento de amiloidosis AL. CONCLUSIÓN: El pronóstico para los pacientes con amiloidosis primaria AL (es decir, cadena ligera de inmunoglobulina) después del tratamiento es dependiente del impacto de la terapia en la supresión de la síntesis de inmunoglobulina de cadena ligera. En los pacientes que alcanzan una respuesta completa al tratamiento, la supervivencia a los 7 años se aproxima al 80%. Para los pacientes que logran una reducción del 50% en el tratamiento a los 7 años, la supervivencia es del 57%. Para los pacientes que no han podido demostrar una respuesta con el uso de terapias de rescate apropiadas, la supervivencia es del 30%.