Abstract
Until recently, no drug was labeled for AL amyloidosis. In 2011, the Italian Medicines Agency started a program to grant access to upfront bortezomib to patients with AL amyloidosis. All subjects were enrolled in a prospective online registry. Response was evaluated after two cycles to assess the possibility of continuing treatment. A total of 764 patients were included until 2019, and 615 were evaluable. Sixteen percent of patents had advanced (stage-IIIb) heart involvement, and 27% had severe or end-stage renal failure. Bortezomib delivery was possible in stage-IIIb patients at a reduced dose. Bortezomib discontinuation was associated with increasing age, advanced heart involvement and bi-weekly administration. Fifty-nine percent of subjects attained a hematologic response and 14% a cardiac response. Bortezomib-based therapy tends to be discontinued early in elderly patients and in advanced disease. Nevertheless, early response to therapy is possible in this challenging population.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call