Genome-wide association study of immunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis in three patient cohorts: comparison with myeloma.

Immunoglobulin light chain (AL) amyloidosis is characterized by tissue deposition of amyloid fibers derived from immunoglobulin light chain. AL amyloidosis and multiple myeloma (MM) originate from monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. We wanted to characterize germline susceptibility to AL amyloidosis using a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on 1229 AL amyloidosis patients from Germany, UK and Italy, and 7526 healthy local controls. For comparison with MM, recent GWAS data on 3790 cases were used. For AL amyloidosis, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at 10 loci showed evidence of an association at P<10-5 with homogeneity of results from the 3 sample sets; some of these were previously documented to influence MM risk, including the SNP at the IRF4 binding site. In AL amyloidosis, rs9344 at the splice site of cyclin D1, promoting translocation (11;14), reached the highest significance, P=7.80 × 10-11; the SNP was only marginally significant in MM. SNP rs79419269 close to gene SMARCD3 involved in chromatin remodeling was also significant (P=5.2 × 10-8). These data provide evidence for common genetic susceptibility to AL amyloidosis and MM. Cyclin D1 is a more prominent driver in AL amyloidosis than in MM, but the links to aggregation of light chains need to be demonstrated.

Rationale, application and clinical qualification for NT-proBNP as a surrogate end point in pivotal clinical trials in patients with AL amyloidosis.

Amyloid light-chain (LC) amyloidosis (AL amyloidosis) is a rare and fatal disease for which there are no approved therapies. In patients with AL amyloidosis, LC aggregates progressively accumulate in organs, resulting in organ failure that is particularly lethal when the heart is involved. A significant obstacle in the development of treatments for patients with AL amyloidosis, as well as for those with any disease that is rare, severe and heterogeneous, has been satisfying traditional clinical trial end points (for example, overall survival or progression-free survival). It is for this reason that many organizations, including the United States Food and Drug Administration through its Safety and Innovation Act Accelerated Approval pathway, have recognized the need for biomarkers as surrogate end points. The international AL amyloidosis expert community is in agreement that the N-terminal fragment of the pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is analytically validated and clinically qualified as a biomarker for use as a surrogate end point for survival in patients with AL amyloidosis. Underlying this consensus is the demonstration that NT-proBNP is an indicator of cardiac response in all interventional studies in which it has been assessed, despite differences in patient population, treatment type and treatment schedule. Furthermore, NT-proBNP expression is directly modulated by amyloidogenic LC-elicited signal transduction pathways in cardiomyocytes. The use of NT-proBNP will greatly facilitate the development of targeted therapies for AL amyloidosis. Here, we review the data supporting the use of NT-proBNP, a biomarker that is analytically validated, clinically qualified, directly modulated by LC and universally accepted by AL amyloidosis specialists, as a surrogate end point for survival.

Melphalan and dexamethasone with or without bortezomib in newly diagnosed AL amyloidosis: a matched case-control study on 174 patients.

Oral melphalan and dexamethasone (MDex) is a standard treatment for patients with AL amyloidosis who are not eligible for stem cell transplantation at many referral centers. However, following encouraging reports on the activity of bortezomib combined with alkylators and dexamethasone, these combinations are being moved to frontline therapy. We compared the outcome of 87 patients treated with bortezomib plus MDex (BMDex) with that of 87 controls treated with MDex. Patients and controls were matched for age, cardiac and renal function and free light chain burden. A higher rate of complete responses was observed with BMDex (42 vs 19%), but this did not result in a survival improvement in the overall population. However, a significant survival advantage for BMDex was observed in patients without severe (New York Heart Association class III or IV) heart failure and with N-terminal pro-natriuretic peptide type-B <8500 ng/l. Patients treated with full-dose dexamethasone had similar response rates and survival whether they received bortezomib or not. Intermediate-risk patients who are not fit enough to receive high-dose dexamethasone are likely to take the greatest advantage from the addition of bortezomib to MDex.

Consensus guidelines for the conduct and reporting of clinical trials in systemic light-chain amyloidosis.

This manuscript summarizes the recommendations that emerged from the first Roundtable on Clinical Research in Immunoglobulin Light-chain Amyloidosis (AL), a meeting sponsored by the Amyloidosis Foundation (Clarkston, MI, USA) to develop a consensus of experts on a modern framework for clinical trial design and drug development in AL. Recent diagnostic and technical advances in AL, and updated consensus guidelines for assessing hematologic and organ responses, enable us to define study populations, appropriate end points, and other criteria for all phases of clinical research. This manuscript provides a framework for the design and conduct of systematic collaborative clinical research in AL to encourage more rapid testing of therapies and to expedite new drug development and approval.

Bortezomib in a phase 1 trial for patients with relapsed AL amyloidosis: cardiac responses and overall effects.

BACKGROUND: Bortezomib is approved for the treatment of multiple myeloma and a role has been suggested in the treatment of systemic AL amyloidosis (AL). METHODS: In this phase 1 dose-escalation portion of the first prospective study of single-agent bortezomib in AL, 31 patients with relapsed disease, including 14 (45%) with cardiac involvement, received bortezomib in seven dose cohorts on once-weekly (0.7, 1.0, 1.3, 1.6 mg/m(2)) and twice-weekly (0.7, 1.0, 1.3 mg/m(2)) schedules. Electrocardiographic, Holter and echocardiographic studies were evaluated in all patients to determine safety and response. RESULTS: During therapy (median treatment period 210 days), no patient developed significant ventricular or supraventricular rhythm disturbance on 24-h Holter monitoring; however, no patient satisfied study criteria for cardiac response using echocardiographic assessment or New York Heart Association classification. Seven patients (23%) had a ≥ 10% fall in left ventricular ejection fraction, but only one met criteria for cardiac deterioration. The predominant cardiac adverse events were peripheral edema (23%), orthostatic hypotension (13%) and hypotension (10%). Two patients developed grade 3 congestive heart failure, which resolved following treatment interruption. In this Phase 1 portion, the maximum tolerated dose of bortezomib on either schedule was not reached. Hematologic responses occurred in 14 patients (45%), including seven (23%) complete responses. In non-responders mean left ventricular wall thickness increased during the course of treatment. CONCLUSION: AL is frequently rapidly progressive; in these patients who had relapsed or progressed following previous conventional therapies, these results suggest that bortezomib may slow the progression of cardiac amyloid with limited toxicity.

Renal involvement in systemic amyloidosis: an Italian collaborative study on survival and renal outcome.

BACKGROUND: Few data are available from large population-based studies on survival and renal outcome of patients with renal involvement and different types of systemic amyloidosis. METHODS: Two hundred and ninety of over 373 patients affected from systemic amyloidosis with renal involvement diagnosed in Italy between January 1995 and December 2000 were followed from diagnosis to death or until the last available clinical control. Eighty-three patients were excluded from analysis either because the amyloid type remained undetermined or they were lost at follow-up. Clinical and laboratory information was collected according to the different types of amyloidosis using a specific form which included renal function with 24 h proteinuria at diagnosis and at the end of follow-up, the type and the date of onset of dialysis and the kind of treatment they underwent. RESULTS: The median time of follow-up was 24 months in primary (AL) amyloidosis (range: 1-88 months), 16 months in AL with associated multiple myeloma (MM + AL: range 1-76 months), 30 months in reactive (AA) amyloidosis (range: 1-99 months) and 52 months in patients with familial forms (AF: range 14-82 months). Patients with AL showed a significantly shorter survival than AA. Despite no significant differences of renal outcome or survival on dialysis being observed between the two groups, a lower renal survival with a higher number of patients who progressed to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) was observed in patients with AA. Overall survival was markedly improved in patients with AL who underwent a specific therapy (conventional chemotherapy or autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT)) even in the absence of a positive kidney response. Multivariate analysis showed cardiac involvement and specific therapy to significantly influence survival in AL whereas age, serum creatinine (sCr) and heart involvement significantly affected survival in AA. In both groups, sCr and heart involvement were the most relevant predictors for renal outcome, together with urinary protein excretion, in patients with AA. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show a worse survival in AL due to the higher prevalence of heart involvement in this group and emphasize that a specific therapy significantly prolongs survival and slows the progression of renal disease in patients with AL. We suggest that a late nephrological referral is likely the cause of the higher sCr found at presentation in patients with AA and probably accounts for the lower renal survival observed in the short term in these patients. At the time being, renal transplantation and ASCT are still rare therapeutic options for renal patients affected from systemic amyloidosis.

Histochemical study of cardiac mast cells degranulation and collagen deposition: interaction with the cathecolaminergic system in the rat.

Although their role in the cardiovascular system is still largely unknown, mast cells are present in the myocardium of both experimental animals and humans. Interestingly, cathecolaminergic nerve fibres and mast cells are often described in close morphological and functional interactions in various organs. In the present study we investigated the effects of chronic interference with beta-adrenergic receptors (via either sympathectomy or beta-blockade) on cardiac mast cell morphology/activation and on interstitial collagen deposition. In rats subjected to chemical sympathectomizy with the neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) we observed a significant increase of mast cell density, and in particular of degranulating mast cells, suggesting a close relationship between the cardiac catecholaminergic system and mast cell activation. In parallel, chronic 6-OHDA treatment was associated with increased collagen deposition. The influence of the beta-adrenergic receptor component was investigated in rats subjected to chronic propranolol administration, that caused a further significant increase in mast cell activation associated with a lower extent of collagen deposition when compared to chemical sympathectomy. These data are the first demonstration of a close relationship between rat cardiac mast cell activation and the catecholaminergic system, with a complex interplay with cardiac collagen deposition. Specifically, abrogation of the cardiac sympathetic efferent drive by chemical sympathectomy causes mast cell activation and interstitial fibrosis, possibly due to the local effects of the neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine. In contrast, beta-adrenergic blockade is associated with enhanced mast cell degranulation and a lower extent of collagen deposition in the normal myocardium. In conclusion, cardiac mast cell activation is influenced by beta-adrenergic influences.

Association between markers of emphysema and more severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND: The predominant emphysema phenotype is associated with more severe airflow limitation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A study was undertaken to investigate whether COPD patients, with or without emphysema quantitatively confirmed by high resolution computed tomography (HRCT), have different COPD severity as assessed by the BODE index (body mass index, airflow obstruction, dyspnoea, exercise performance) and inspiratory capacity to total lung capacity ratio (IC/TLC), and by different biological markers of lung parenchymal destruction. METHODS: Twenty six outpatients with COPD and eight healthy non-smokers were examined. Each subject underwent HRCT scanning, pulmonary function tests, cell counts, and measurements of neutrophil elastase, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 in induced sputum, as well as measurement of desmosine, a marker of elastin degradation in urine, plasma and sputum. RESULTS: Patients with HRCT confirmed emphysema had a higher BODE index and lower IC/TLC ratio than subjects without HRCT confirmed emphysema and controls. Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1)), FEV(1)/forced vital capacity ratio, and carbon monoxide transfer coefficient were lower, whereas the number of eosinophils, MMP-9, and the MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio in sputum were higher in patients with emphysema. In COPD patients the number of sputum eosinophils was the biological variable that correlated positively with the HRCT score of emphysema (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that COPD associated with HRCT confirmed emphysema is characterised by more severe lung function impairment, more intense airway inflammation and, possibly, more serious systemic dysfunction than COPD not associated with HRCT confirmed emphysema.

Time course of matrix metalloproteases and tissue inhibitors in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis.

To investigate simultaneously localization and relative activity of MMPs during extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rat, we analyzed the time course of the expression, activity and/or concentration of gelatinases MMP-2 and MMP-9, collagenase MMP-1, matrylisin MMP-7, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2, both in alveolar space (cellular and extracellular compartments) and in lung tissue. MMP and TIMP expression was detected (immunohistochemistry) in lung tissue. MMP activity (zymography) and TIMP concentration (ELISA) were evaluated in lung tissue homogenate (LTH), BAL supernatant (BALs) and BAL cell pellet (BALp) 3, 7, 14, and 28 days after bleomycin intratracheal instillation. Immunohistochemistry showed an extensive MMP and TIMP expression from day 7 in a wide range of structural and inflammatory cells in treated rats. MMP-2 was present mainly in epithelia, MMP-9 in inflammatory cells. MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity was increased respectively in BAL fluid and BAL cells, with a peak at day 7. TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 concentration (ELISA) enhancement was delayed at day 14. In conclusion gelatinases and their inhibitors are significantly activated during bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Marked changes in gelatinases activity are observed early in the alveolar compartment, with a prevailing extracellular activity of MMP-2 and a predominant intracellular distribution of MMP-9, while enzyme activity changes in lung parenchyma were less evident. In the repairing phase the reduction of gelatinases activity is synchronous with a peak of alveolar concentration of their inhibitors.

Widespread cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction in primary amyloidosis: does spontaneous hyperventilation have a compensatory role against postural hypotension?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possible causes of abnormal blood pressure control in light chain related (primary, AL) amyloidosis. DESIGN: Cardiovascular, autonomic, and respiratory response to passive tilting were investigated in 51 patients with primary amyloidosis (mean (SEM) age 56 (2) years) and in 20 age matched controls. Spontaneous fluctuations in RR interval, respiration, end tidal carbon dioxide, blood pressure, and skin microcirculation were recorded during supine rest and with tilting. The values were subjected to spectral analysis to assess baroreflex sensitivity and the autonomic modulation of cardiac and vascular responses. SETTING: Tertiary referral centre. RESULTS: Autonomic modulation of the heart and blood pressure was nearly absent in the patients with amyloidosis: thus baroreflex sensitivity and the low frequency (0.1 Hz) fluctuations in all cardiovascular signals were severely reduced (p < 0.01 or more), as were respiratory fluctuations in the RR interval, and no change was observed upon tilting. Despite reduced autonomic modulation, blood pressure remained relatively stable in the amyloid group from supine to tilting. End tidal carbon dioxide was reduced in the amyloid patients (p < 0.001) indicating persistent hyperventilation; the breathing rate correlated inversely with the fall in blood pressure on tilting (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In primary amyloidosis, pronounced abnormalities in arterial baroreflexes and cardiovascular autonomic modulation to the heart and the vessels may be partly compensated for by hyperventilation at a slow breathing rate.

Dopamine transporter immunoreactivity in peripheral blood lymphocytes in Parkinson's disease.

There is increasing interest in the identification of biological markers for the early diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Previous studies indicate changes of dopamine content, tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity and dopamine receptors in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) in PD. Here we demonstrate a reduction of dopamine transporter immunoreactivity in PBL in the early clinical stages of the disease. These findings contribute to our understanding of the peripheral dopamine system in PD.