Systemic AL Amyloidosis Patients Research Articles

The Role of Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in the Therapy of Systemic AL Amyloidosis

Aim. To assess the outcomes of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT) in systemic AL Amyloidosis patients treated at the R.M. Gorbacheva Scientific Research Institute of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Transplantation.
 Materials & Methods. In the period from 2005 to 2022, auto-HSCT was performed in 33 patients with systemic AL Amyloidosis. In 7 of them, auto-HSCT was not preceded by the induction therapy “upfront”. From 2012 all patients received induction therapy prior to transplantation. The median age of patients was 54 years (range 38–68 years); among them there were 17 women and 16 men.
 Results. The 3-year follow-up period showed hematological response rate of 76 % (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 50–90 %), heart response rate of 27 % (95% CI 6–55 %), renal response rate of 76 % (95% CI 41–93 %), and hepatic response rate of 26 % (95% CI 8–50 %). The 5-year overall (OS) and progression-free (PFS) survivals were 71 % (95% CI 49–85 %) and 53 % (95% CI 32–71 %), respectively. The OS parameters in the group with delayed auto-HSCT, i.e., after induction therapy, were better than in the “upfront” group: 82 % (95% CI 60–93 %) vs. 43 % (95% CI 10–73 %) (p = 0.03). The OS parameters were affected by health status (p = 0.03), reduced left ventricular ejection fraction < 60 % (p = 0.006), stage of heart disease (p = 0.016), and stage III kidney disease (p = 0.007). The PFS parameters depended on ECOG performance status (p = 0.004) and stage of heart disease (p = 0.041).
 Conclusion. The presented data confirm the results of the studies emphasizing the importance of induction therapy prior to auto-HSCT in the treatment of systemic AL Amyloidosis. More stringent parameters of renal function, left ventricular ejection fraction, and ECOG performance status can be used as criteria for auto-HSCT eligibility. Reduced melphalan doses, as conditioning regimen, can be administered to patients with pronounced comorbidity.

Pulmonary Transit Time Derived from First‐Pass Perfusion Cardiac MR Imaging: A Potential New Marker for Cardiac Involvement and Prognosis in Light‐Chain Amyloidosis

BackgroundFirst‐pass perfusion cardiac MR imaging could reflect pulmonary hemodynamics. However, the clinical value of pulmonary transit time (PTT) derived from first‐pass perfusion MRI in light‐chain (AL) amyloidosis requires further evaluation.PurposeTo assess the clinical and prognostic value of PTT in patients with AL amyloidosis.Study TypeProspective observational study.Population226 biopsy‐proven systemic AL amyloidosis patients (age 58.62 ± 10.10 years, 135 males) and 43 healthy controls (age 42 ± 16.2 years, 20 males).Field Strength/SequenceSSFP cine and phase sensitive inversion recovery late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) sequences, and multislice first‐pass myocardial perfusion imaging with a saturation recovery turbo fast low‐angle shot (SR‐TurboFLASH) pulse sequence at 3.0T.AssessmentPTT was measured as the time interval between the peaks of right and left ventricular cavity arterial input function curves on first‐pass perfusion MR images.Statistical TestsIndependent‐sample t test, Mann–Whitney U test, Chi‐square test, Fisher's exact test, analysis of variance, or Kruskal–Wallis test, as appropriate; univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models and Kaplan–Meier curves, area under receiver operating characteristic curve were used to determine statistical significance.ResultsPTT could differentiate AL amyloidosis patients with (N = 188) and without (N = 38) cardiac involvement (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.839). During a median follow‐up of 35 months, 160 patients (70.8%) demonstrated all‐cause mortality. After adjustments for clinical (Hazard ratio [HR] 1.061, confidence interval [CI]: 1.021–1.102), biochemical (HR 1.055, CI: 1.014–1.097), cardiac MRI‐derived (HR 1.077, CI: 1.034–1.123), and therapeutic (HR 1.063, CI: 1.024–1.103) factors, PTT predicted mortality independently in patients with AL amyloidosis. Finally, PTT could identify worse outcomes in patients demonstrating New York Heart Association class III, Mayo 2004 stage III, and transmural LGE pattern.Data ConclusionPTT may serve as a new imaging predictor of cardiac involvement and prognosis in AL amyloidosis.Level of Evidence2Technical EfficacyStage 2

Systemic AL amyloidosis: current approach and future direction

Systemic Light chain (AL) amyloidosis is a monoclonal plasma cell proliferative disorder characterized by deposition of amyloidogenic monoclonal light chain fragments causing organ dysfunction. It is a fatal disease and if not diagnosed and treated early can lead to organ failure and potentially death. The renal system along with the cardiovascular system are the most common organs involved but other organs such as gut and liver can be involved as well. The initial evaluation of patients requires confirming the diagnosis with tissue biopsy and staining with Congo red followed by confirmatory typing with mass spectrometry of the Congo red positive tissue. Then establishing the extent of the organs involvement by various staging and biomarkers testing. The treatment options and the tolerability of therapy depend on the disease staging, frailty, and co-morbidities. The autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) after high dose melphalan therapy is an effective strategy which is usually done after initial bortezomib induction therapy. Unfortunately, most systemic AL amyloidosis patients are not candidate for HCT due to frailty, old age, multi-organ involvement, renal and heart failure at the time of diagnosis. While it is widely accepted that the patients need to be treated until they achieve complete hematologic response, the maintenance therapy after HCT is not well established in AL amyloidosis. In this review, we report the literature on the latest treatment updates of AL amyloidosis and the ongoing clinical trials highlighting the future treatments.

Gastric amyloidosis associated with multiple myeloma: A rare cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding

AbstractAmyloidosis is defined as an excess extracellular deposit of protein fibrils, an associated syndrome with tissue injury and dysfunction. Light chain (AL) amyloidosis is the most common type of systemic amyloidosis. The most frequently involved organs are the kidneys, heart, liver, autonomous nervous system, and gastrointestinal tract. Systemic AL amyloidosis patients often have GI symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting. Furthermore, asymptomatic gastric amyloid deposits are commonly found in patients with systemic AL amyloidosis. The clinical manifestations, laboratory results, and treatment of an 80‐year‐old female patient with AL amyloidosis of the gastrointestinal tract in our hospital were summarized. Relevant literatures on the etiology, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of this disease were reviewed. The patient was referred to upper endoscopy because of melena for weeks. Large areas of irregular thickened gastric folds with overlying ulcers and friable polypoid masses at the fundus were seen, showing amyloid depositions. Further workup revealed that no involvement of other organs. Serum immunoelectrophoresis and bone marrow biopsy confirmed multiple myeloma, which was clinically thought to cause gastric amyloidosis. The patient was treated with melphalan, prednisolone, and thalidomide. After treatment, the melena was improved, the flattening gastric mass and a reduction in the serum kappa light chain level and kappa/lambda ratio were observed. Gastric amyloidosis is rarely seen at upper endoscopy in patients without a previously established diagnosis of myeloma. Early detection of gastrointestinal amyloidosis will ultimately improve the outcomes of patients with the rare disease.

Prognostic Relevance of Cytogenetic Chromosomal Abnormalities on Outcome Among AL Amyloidosis Patients in the Netherlands

Introduction Systemic light chain (AL) amyloidosis is a clonal plasma cell neoplasm, that carries a poor prognosis. Treatment is adapted from protocols as used in MM, and include bortezomib-based (PI) regimens with or without stem cell transplantation (SCT). PI-based regimens have improved treatment responses and outcomes. Cytogenetic analysis has become an important tool in the diagnostic process of plasma cell disorders, and evidence for prognostic significance of specific genetic abnormalities in relation to therapy efficacy is recognized in systemic AL amyloidosis. Thus far, this prognostic significance has been evaluated in single center institutions.Aim This nationwide, population-based study aimed to assess the impact of cytogenetic abnormalities on hematological response and survival among patients with systemic AL amyloidosis treated with PI-based regimens.Methods We identified 349 patients ≥18 years with systemic AL amyloidosis diagnosed between 2017 and 2019 in the Netherlands Cancer Registry, with survival follow-up until February 1, 2021. Data on therapeutic strategy was known for all individual patients. The cytogenetic aberrations studied include gain(1q), hyperdiploidy, del(17p), and IGH rearrangements, i.e. t(11;14), t(4;14), t(14;16), and t(v;14q32) (non-specified IGH rearrangement). Hematological response and overall survival (OS) were evaluated in relation to cytogenetic aberrations. OS was defined as death by any cause post-diagnosis. Uni- and multivariable analysis for establishing independent predictors of OS, i.e. age, sex, cytogenetic assessment and SCT, was performed using Cox regression. Patients diagnosed at autopsy (n=4), patients who did not start first-line therapy (n=64) or received other therapies (n=37), and patients with systemic AL amyloidosis related to Waldenström Macroglobulinemia (n=10) were excluded.Results In our analytic cohort, 234 patients (median age 67 years; 62% males) were treated with PI-based regimens. Of these patients, 153 (65%) were ≤70 years at diagnosis. SCT was performed in 70 (30%) patients following PI-based regimens. For 170 (73%) patients, cytogenetic assessment was performed. IGH rearrangements were observed in 76 patients (45%), comprised of t(11;14) in 27 patients, t(4;14) in 3 patients, t(14;16) in 2 patients and non-specified IGH rearrangements in 44 patients. Furthermore, 26 patients carried a gain(1q), 4 patients a del(17p), and 33 patients were hyperdiploid. Due to the limited patient number with del(17p), response and OS was not evaluated for this subgroup.A complete remission (CR; n=53), very good partial response (VGPR; n=66), or partial remission (PR; n=55) was accomplished for 74% of the patients, ≥VGPR for 51% of the patients. The reached hematological response was irrespective of the detected cytogenetic abnormalities. In detail, ≥VGPR was 56% for patients with a t(11;14), 62% for patients with a gain(1q), 55% for patients with hyperdiploidy, and 50% for patients with an IGH rearrangement and this was not statistical significant different from patients without these cytogenetic abnormalities.The 3-year OS was 61% for patients treated with PI-based regimens. For patients with a cytogenetic assessment (n=170), there was no significant difference in 3-year OS between patients with or without a t(11;14) (69% vs. 66%, respectively; p=0.70), with or without gain(1q) (57% vs. 68%, respectively; p=0.58), with or without hyperdiploidy (72% vs. 65%, respectively; p=0.63), or with or without an IGH rearrangement (59% vs. 72%; p=0.21). Only SCT was an independent predictor for reduced risk of mortality in uni- and multivariable analyses, overall as well as for the specific cytogenetic subgroups.Conclusion In this Dutch ‘real world’ population of AL amyloidosis patients treated with PI-based regimens, 74% had a ≥PR and 51% had ≥VGPR. The 3-year OS was 61%. We evaluated the cytogenetic data of 170 patients, but could not confirm a relation between PI-based regimens and outcome, overall as well as in specific cytogenetic subgroups. Patient numbers of the cytogenetic subgroups were low and we could not determine the partner gene in 44 patients with an IGH rearrangement. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first population-based study to evaluate the prognostic relevance of cytogenetic abnormalities in relation to hematological response and OS among systemic AL amyloidosis patients. DisclosuresMinnema: Alnylam: Consultancy; Kite/Gilead: Consultancy; Jansen-Cilag: Consultancy; BMS: Honoraria; Celgene: Other: Hospitality.

Correlation between urine ACR and 24-h proteinuria in a real-world cohort of systemic AL amyloidosis patients

A 24-h urine protein collection (24hUP), the gold standard for measuring albuminuria in systemic AL amyloidosis, is cumbersome and inaccurate. We retrospectively reviewed 575 patients with systemic AL amyloidosis to assess the correlation between a urine albumin to creatinine ratio (uACR) and the 24hUP. The uACR correlated strongly with 24hUP at diagnosis (Pearson’s r = 0.87, 95% CI 0.83–0.90) and during the disease course (Pearson’s r = 0.88, 95% CI 0.86–0.90). A uACR ≥300 mg/g estimated a 24hUP ≥ 500 mg with a sensitivity of 92% and specificity of 97% (area under the receiver operating curve = 0.938, 95% CI 0.919–0.957). A uACR cutoff of 3600 mg/g best predicted a 24hUP > 5000 g (sensitivity 93%, specificity 94%), and renal stage at diagnosis was strongly concordant using either 24hUP or uACR as the proteinuria measure (k = 0.823, 95% CI 0.728–0.919). In patients with serial urine collections, a > 30% decrease in uACR predicted a > 30% decrease in 24hUP with a sensitivity of 94%. In conclusion, the uACR is a reliable and convenient method for ruling out proteinuria >500 mg per day, prognosticating renal outcomes, and assessing renal response to therapy. Further studies are needed to validate the uACR cutoffs proposed in this study.

Sars-Cov-2 Infection and Systemic Light Chain Amyloidosis: The International Society of Amyloidosis' Survey

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has become a global health crisis since it was first reported in December 2019. In a subset of infected subjects, pneumonia, multi-organ failure, and eventually death can occur. Frail patients and those with comorbidities are believed to be at increased risk of severe manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patients with light chain (AL) amyloidosis have a hematologic malignancy that causes multi-organ dysfunction and can be at higher risk of complications and death. The International Society of Amyloidosis (ISA) has issued a guidance (Kastritis et al. BJH 2020, https://cms.cws.net/content/isaamyloidosis.org/files/ISA%20recommendations%20Covid-19%20v_%203_3.pdf) for patients with amyloidosis during the pandemic and called for an international data collection in April 2020. Aim of this study is to report the preliminary data of the ongoing international survey regarding systemic AL amyloidosis and COVID-19.Methods: The survey was proposed by the ISA Board and approved by the coordinating institution's Ethics Committee. All members of the ISA were invited to participate by email and a link for participation is online on ISA website. RedCap software was used for the data collection.Results: Twelve Institutions requested the access to the data collection system from 7 countries. At the data lock of July 26, 2020, 29 patients with systemic amyloidoses were collected from 7 different Institutions. Systemic AL amyloidosis patients reported so far were 19: 12 from the Pavia Amyloidosis Research and Treatment Center (Italy), 3 from the Boston Medical Center (USA), and 1 patient each from the Columbia University Hospital (New York, USA), Hospital Clinic (Barcelona, Spain), Clinica Universitaria de Navarra (Navarra, Spain) and Amyloidosis Centrum (Heidelberg, Germany). Eleven (58%) had heart involvement, 8 (42%) had kidney and two or more organs were involved in 9 patients (47%). The most frequent comorbidities reported were history of hypertension in 7 (37%) and cardiovascular diseases in 3 (16%). Four (21%) patients were newly diagnosed and treatment-naïve at the time SARS-CoV-2 infection was documented. The remaining 15 patients had received a median number of 2 previous lines of therapy (range 1-3). Nine (47%) patients were on active chemotherapy at the time of COVID-19 infection. Five were receiving daratumumab combinations, and the 4 remaining patients were on cyclophosphamide, bortezomib and dexamethasone, oral melphalan and dexamethasone, lenalidomide and ixazomib. Relevant concomitant medications were anti-hypertensive drugs in 26% of cases and diuretics in 21%. One patient was on dialysis. COVID-19-related symptoms were fever 11 (58%), cough 8 (42%), anosmia and ageusia. Pneumonia was documented in 10 (53%) patients, 5 of whom had acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (26%). Four of them were treated with non-mechanical ventilation and one accessed intensive care support. Three of the 5 patients with severe COVID-19 had heart involvement, 2/5 had concomitant heart and kidney involved and 3 was infected while on active chemotherapy. Azytromicin was used in 6 (26%) cases, which was in combination with hydroxycloroquine in 4 of them. Three patients received steroids as treatment for SARS-CoV-2 infection, while anticoagulant therapy was used only in two cases. Lopinavir, tocilizumab and sarilumab were used in one patient each. Four patients (21%) died in the whole cohort. Three had ARDS and one patient died few weeks after the recovery of COVID-19 infection. All deceased patients had heart involvement, 2 were on active therapy (daratumumab plus bortezomib and ixazomib plus dexamethasone). Two patients with kidney involvement at diagnosis, one with ARDS and one with a radiological documented pneumonia treated with non-mechanical ventilation recovered from COVID-19 but developed subsequent worsening of renal function, requiring dialysis in one case.Conclusions: The fatality rate and the proportion of patients with severe COVID-19 in this series is in the higher range of reports from the general population. Severe SARS-CoV-2 infection can result in renal failure in patients with renal AL amyloidosis.DisclosuresMilani:Janssen: Other: Speaker honoraria; Pfizer: Other: Speaker honoraria; Celgene: Other: Travel support. Sanchorawala:Oncopeptide: Research Funding; Abbvie: Other: advisory board; Proclara: Other: advisory board; Caleum: Other: advisory board; Regeneron: Other: advisory board; Prothena: Research Funding; Takeda: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; UpToDate: Patents & Royalties; Caelum: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding. Cibeira:Janssen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Educational lectures; Akcea Therapeutics: Honoraria, Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Honoraria, Other: Educational lectures; Amgen: Honoraria, Other: Educational lectures. Schönland:Janssen, Prothena, Takeda: Honoraria, Other: travel support to meetings, Research Funding. Palladini:Celgene: Other: Travel support; Jannsen Cilag: Honoraria, Other.

Retroperitoneal Involvement of Light Chain Amyloidosis-Case Series and Literature Review

Retroperitoneal Involvement of Light Chain Amyloidosis-Case Series and Literature Review

Correlation between 24-hour proteinuria and spot urine albumin to creatinine ratio in systemic light chain amyloidosis.

8549 Background: Proteinuria evaluation is essential for diagnosing and monitoring of renal involvement in light chain (AL) amyloidosis. A 24 hour protein collection (24h UP) is the gold standard for proteinuria assessment however it is cumbersome and can be inaccurate. A spot urine albumin to creatinine ratio (uACR) has been proposed as a convenient method to estimate 24hUP. We aimed to validate the correlation between uACR and 24hUP in a large cohort of patients. Methods: We retrospectively studied systemic AL amyloidosis patients evaluated between 2010 and 2019 at Mayo Clinic, with a uACR and 24hUP collected less than 7 days apart. Linear regression analysis was used to construct a prediction model for 24hUP with uACR as the primary predictor. Possible confounders (age, gender, body mass index, morning versus afternoon spot urine collection, estimated glomerular filtration rate) for the primary relationship between uACR and 24h UP were evaluated in the model. We used receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis to identify the best uACR cutoff to predict significant proteinuria (defined as a 24hUP > 500mg). Results: We included 665 patients, with a median age of 66 years (IQR 59-72). The spot urine was collected in the morning (before 1200 hours) in 382 (57%) patients, and in the afternoon in 283 (43%) patients. The median 24hUP was 321 (IQR 129-2512.5) mg, median uACR was 107 (IQR 13.5-1845) mg/g, and median serum creatinine was 1.2 (IQR 1-1.8) mg/dL. The uACR correlated well with 24h UP (Pearson’s r= 0.83, 95% CI 0.80-0.85). Linear regression showed that E (24h UPi) = 362 + 1.05(uACRi), and this model was statistically and clinically significant (p < 0.001 and R2 of 0.68, respectively). Age, gender, body mass index, eGFR, and time of day of spot urine collection did not confound the primary relationship between uACR and 24hUP, and no collinearity was observed. A uACR cutoff of > 280 mg/g was the best predictor of a 24hUP > 500 mg (area under the ROC curve 0.98, sensitivity 92%, specificity 97%). For simplicity, we assessed the predictive value of uACR > 300 mg/g for 24h UP > 500 mg. Among patients with 24huACR > 300 mg/g 264 (96%) had a 24hUP > 500 mg, and 31 (7%) of patients with uACR < 300 mg/g had a 24h UP > 500 mg (p < 0.001). Conclusions: In systemic AL amyloid patients, we showed that uACR on a random urine sample correlated well with 24h UP, and can be used to estimate proteinuria with a linear regression model. Based on these findings, and the convenience of uACR testing for patients, we propose that uACR should be used to monitor renal response to AL amyloidosis therapy.

Effect of Standard Dose Versus Risk Adapted Melphalan Conditioning on Outcomes in Systemic AL Amyloidosis Patients Undergoing Frontline Autologous Stem Cell Transplant Based on Revised Mayo Stage

IntroductionHigh dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is an effective therapy for eligible patients with newly diagnosed systemic AL amyloidosis. Dose attenuated melphalan is used in patients with older age, renal dysfunction, and multi-organ involvement in an effort to limit treatment related mortality. Reducing the dose of melphalan compromises response rates and survival outcomes, but this is often contributed to frailty of these patients. The revised Mayo staging (MS) system improves risk stratification and helps develop risk-adapted therapies. We analyzed the outcomes of ASCT following standard [(200 mg/m2); SD group] versus risk adapted [(140-160 mg/m2); RD group] melphalan conditioning, in the context of the factors typically leading to dose modification.MethodsThree hundred and twenty nine patients with newly diagnosed systemic AL amyloidosis who underwent conditioning with melphalan followed by ASCT at Mayo Clinic between 2006 and 2015 were identified using existing databases. The clinical and laboratory data, treatment and follow - up details were collected by chart review and analyzed retrospectively. Overall survival(OS) was defined as the time from start of initial therapy until death from any cause or last follow up. Progression free survival(PFS) was defined as the time to relapse or progression requiring change or reinstitution of treatment or death from any cause. The OS and PFS curves were estimated using Kaplan-Meier method while log rank test was used to estimate their difference. Multivariate survival analysis was performed using the Cox proportional hazards model.ResultsAmong the 329 patients, 240 patients were in SD group and 89 patients were in RD group (1 patient received 120 mg/ m2, 2 received 160 mg/m2 and the rest received 140 mg / m2).In the SD group, median age was 58.5 years (25.6 - 72.3); 59.6% were males; 38.7% / 61.7 %/ 7.5% had cardiac / renal /hepatic involvement; and 47.1% / 35.7% / 8.8% / 8.4% had MS I/II/III/IV. In the RD group, median age was 60.8 years (40 - 73.7); 62.9% were males; 66.3% / 71.9 %/ 11.2% had cardiac / renal /hepatic involvement; and 26.2% / 32.5% / 21.2% / 20% had MS I/II/III/IV.The response rates for patients in the SD group [complete response (CR) - 53.7%, very good partial response (VGPR) - 19.6%, partial response (PR) - 12.5%, no response (NR) - 1.2%, progressive disease (PD) - 1.6%] were significantly higher than patients in the RD group (CR - 34.8%, VGPR - 20.2%, PR - 15.7%, NR - 10.1%, PD - 1.1%) (85.8 vs 70.7%; p < 0.002). The PFS and OS for both the groups according to Mayo stage are presented in Figure 1.Multivariate survival analysis for PFS and OS was performed using age (≤ vs > 70 years), serum creatinine (≤ vs > 2 mg/dL), number of major organs involved (heart, kidney, liver, gastrointestinal tract and autonomic neuropathy), MS (1 vs 2 vs 3 and 4) and dose of melphalan (SD vs RD). The dose of melphalan (p=0.0002), MS (p=0.03) and the number of organs involved (p=0.04) were significant for PFS while the dose of melphalan (p=0.0001) and the MS (p = 0.004) were significant for OS.ConclusionReducing the dose of melphalan during conditioning for frontline ASCT in systemic AL amyloidosis renders more patients eligible for transplant but compromises on the response rates. There is no impact on PFS and OS in Mayo stage I patients. However the OS as well as PFS in Mayo stage II, III and IV were significantly lower in RD group as compared to SD group. These results suggest a suboptimal outcome with use of reduced dose melphalan, even after accounting for the pother prognostic factors, suggesting that high dose therapy should potentially be limited to those eligible to receive the full dose conditioning. [Display omitted] [Display omitted] DisclosuresDispenzieri:Jannsen: Research Funding; pfizer: Research Funding; GSK: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Alnylam: Research Funding; Prothena: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Research Funding; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Kapoor:Takeda: Research Funding; Amgen: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding. Kumar:Skyline: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy; AbbVie: Research Funding; Array BioPharma: Consultancy, Research Funding; Sanofi: Consultancy, Research Funding; Onyx: Consultancy, Research Funding; Glycomimetics: Consultancy; Kesios: Consultancy; Noxxon Pharma: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Millennium: Consultancy, Research Funding.

Heavy/light chain immunoparesis identifies systemic AL amyloidosis patients with poor survival outcomes

e192 PO-193 Heavy/light chain immunoparesis identifies systemic AL amyloidosis patients with poor survival outcomes S. Sachchithanantham, O. Berlanga, A. Alvi, N. Wassef, S. Mahmood, R. Sayeed, J. Gillmore, H. Lachmann, C. Whelan, P. Hawkins, A. Wechalekar National Amyloidosis Centre, University College London Medical School, London, UK; The Binding Ste Group Ltd, Birmingham, UK; Department of Biochemistry, Royal Free London NHS Foundation trust, London, UK

Impact of Regional Left Ventricular Function on Outcome for Patients with AL Amyloidosis

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to explore the left ventricular (LV) deformation changes and the potential impact of deformation on outcome in patients with proven light-chain (AL) amyloidosis and LV hypertrophy.BackgroundCardiac involvement in AL amyloidosis patients is associated with poor outcome. Detecting regional cardiac function by advanced non-invasive techniques might be favorable for predicting outcome.MethodsLV longitudinal, circumferential and radial peak systolic strains (Ssys) were assessed by speckle tracking imaging (STI) in 44 biopsy-proven systemic AL amyloidosis patients with LV hypertrophy (CA) and in 30 normal controls. Patients were divided into compensated (n = 18) and decompensated (n = 26) group based on clinical assessment and followed-up for a median period of 345 days.ResultsEjection fraction (EF) was preserved while longitudinal Ssys (LSsys) was significantly reduced in both compensated and decompensated groups. Survival was significantly reduced in decompensated group (35% vs. compensated 78%, P = 0.001). LSsys were similar in apical segments and significantly reduced in basal segments between two patient groups. LSsys at mid-segments were significantly reduced in all LV walls of decompensated group. Patients were further divided into 4 subgroups according to the presence or absence of reduced LSsys in no (normal), only basal (mild), basal and mid (intermediate) and all segments of the septum (severe). This staging revealed continuously worse prognosis in proportion to increasing number of segments with reduced LSsys (mortality: normal 14%, mild 27%, intermediate 67%, and severe 64%). Mid-septum LSsys<11% suggested a 4.8-fold mortality risk than mid-septum LSsys≥11%. Multivariate regression analysis showed NYHA class and mid-septum LSsys were independent predictors for survival.ConclusionsReduced deformation at mid-septum is associated with worse prognosis in systemic amyloidosis patients with LV hypertrophy.

MR-Proanp and VEGF As Markers of Response to MEL-DEX Treatment in Systemic AL Amyloidosis

AbstractAbstract 4970 Background.The natriuretic peptides are a family of different biomarkers including NT-proBNP and MR-proANP. As recommended by guidelines, they are important in heart failure diagnosis and monitoring. MR-proANP (1–98) is the mid-regional portion of the active atrial natriuretic peptide prohormone (99–126) and is considered a significant independent predictor of death, adding prognostic value to NT-proBNP. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an endothelial cell mitogen with angiogenic and nonangiogenic role in several disorders including cardiovascular ones. Moreover, it regulates multiple cellular stress responses, including survival, proliferation, migration and differentiation. Systemic AL amyloidosis represents a peculiar disease with a clinical heart involvement that needs of a specific monitoring in order to avoid poor outcome. Aims and Methods.The study was devoted to evaluate treatment related changes in cardiovascular activity by MR-proANP and VEGF serum levels in systemic AL amyloidosis. Blood samples were collected from 8 patients with systemic AL amyloidosis (median age 72. 8 yrs) admitted to our Unit and analyzed for serum MR-proANP (mean±SD) and VEGF levels (Kits Brahms MR-proANP Kryptor and Randox Evidence Biochips Arrays). According to age and disease risk stratification all patients were treated with upfront oral Mel-Dex association (Melphalan 9 mg/sm, Dexamethasone 20mg day 1–4 q28). From each patient 2 samples of peripheral blood were performed (T0: at exordium of disease and T1: at conclusion of the first course of treatment). The sera were frozen to −80°C until their use. The results were analyzed by paired t test and Person correlation, p values ≤ 0. 05 were considered statistically significant. Results.VEGF serum levels were significantly (p=0. 01) reduced at the end of the first course of treatment (M±SD: T0: 282. 3 ± 86. 23 pg/mL vs. T1: 189. 7 ± 64. 24 pg/mL). Also MR-proANP serum levels were significantly decreased (M±SD: T0: 204. 4 ± 28. 82 pmol/L vs. T1: 160. 2 ± 21. 05 pmol/L, p=0. 008; see figure). The decreases of VEGF and MR-proANP were significantly (r =0. 79; p=0. 02) related. Conclusions.MR-proANP serum levels reduction could be hypothized as related to the decrease of inflammatory activity of disease, including heart involvement and a consequent reduced probability of fatal events. Our hypothesis seems to be confirmed by VEGF serum level reduction suggesting an inhibition of new angiogenesis with reduced interactions between neoplastic plasma cells and bone marrow microenvironment. The effective role of treatment in reducing the disease activity is demonstrated by the significant correlation between VEGF and MR-proANP level decreases. MR-proANP and VEGF could be used to evaluate and select systemic AL amyloidosis patients with an early good response to treatment. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Metabolic turn over of amyloid fibrils and post-treatment regression of amyloid deposits in systemic amyloidosis with polyneuropathy

Systemic amyloidosis that includes familial transthyretin (TTR)-related amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) and primary systemic immunoglobulin light chain (AL)-derived amyloidosis was long considered to be an incurable disease, but effective therapeutic approaches developed during 20 years ago: liver transplantation for FAP and high dose melphalan with autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (Auto-PBSCT). Systemic amyloidosis is characterized by the presence of an amyloid precursor protein in serum and both treatments can cease the production of amyloid precursor proteins in serum. After transplantation the progression of FAP symptoms certainly stopped, and the patients who were in an early stage of the disease and underwent successful operation showed considerable improvement in their quality of life. Similar clinical recovery was seen in primary systemic AL amyloidosis patients with polyneuropathy after high dose melphalan with auto-PBSCT. Histopathological regression of amyloid deposits on aspirated abdominal fat tissues and/or gastroduodenal mucosa was demonstrated in the patients with long post-treatment courses, indicating that an amyloid precursor protein is dynamically turned over in the lesions with amyloid deposits.

Peripheral nerve involvement in primary systemic AL amyloidosis: a clinical and electrophysiological study

Involvement of visceral organs usually dominates the clinical picture of primary systemic AL amyloidosis, but some patients suffer from serious peripheral neuropathy. The aim of this study is to clinically and electrophysiologically investigate peripheral nerve involvement in AL amyloidosis patients. We reviewed clinical manifestations, electrophysiological findings including nerve conduction velocities and treatments in 43 consecutive patients. Twenty age-matched healthy subjects were employed as controls. Fifteen patients (34.9%) showed apparent neuropathic symptoms, which consisted of polyneuropathy in 11 (25.6%), bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome in 4 (9.3%), and autonomic dysfunction in 8 (18.6%). Polyneuropathy in this disease was characterized by symmetrical and sensory-dominant impairment, early involvement of the lower limbs, loss of all sensations, rarity of motor weakness, and painful paresthesia in the legs predominant at an early stage. Autonomic dysfunction including orthostatic hypotension was frequently associated with polyneuropathy at an advanced stage. On electrophysiological studies, motor conduction velocity and compound muscle action potential of both median and tibial nerves were significantly decreased in the patients with polyneuropathy but also in those without any signs of neuropathy. Only four of 15 patients with neuropathy were able to receive intensive but promising chemotherapy with a large dose of melphalan for plasma cell dyscrasia. Peripheral nerves in primary systemic AL amyloidosis patients seem to be involved more extensively than clinical manifestations might suggest. The clinical picture of polyneuropathy in this disease closely resembles that in transthyretin-type familial amyloid polyneuropathy patients with a late age at onset, particularly those originating from sporadic kindreds.

Bone marrow findings correlate with clinical outcome in systemic AL amyloidosis patients

Bone marrow sampling is a key investigation in the work-up of amyloid light chain (AL) amyloidosis, but the relationship between bone marrow findings and the varied phenotype and clinical outcome of AL amyloidosis is unclear. The aim was to determine if bone marrow pathological parameters at diagnosis were related to clinical behaviour in AL amyloidosis patients. Bone marrow findings, clinical features and outcome of 80 patients referred with a diagnosis of systemic AL amyloidosis were evaluated; six patients were subsequently excluded due to re-categorization as other forms of amyloidosis. At latest follow-up (median 66 months), 11 of the 18 patients with no identifiable bone marrow neoplastic cells (61%) versus only seven of the 56 patients with neoplastic plasma cells or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (13%) were alive (P = 0.0046). However, neither the quantity of the neoplastic cells nor the serum light chain levels were correlated with amyloid burden or patient survival. Identification of a neoplastic population in the bone marrow of AL amyloidosis patients by histology and immunohistochemistry correlates with poor outcome; however, the neoplastic cell burden is not prognostically significant, suggesting that additional factors are important in determining disease behaviour in AL amyloidosis.

Autologous transplantation for primary systemic AL amyloidosis is feasible outside a major amyloidosis referral centre: the Calgary BMT Program experience

Recent reports from large amyloidosis referral centers suggest that primary systemic AL amyloidosis patients treated with high-dose melphalan (HDM) and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) survive longer than historical controls treated with less intensive chemotherapy, despite high transplant-related mortality (TRM) rates of >10%. A retrospective review was conducted to determine if the outcome of ASCT for AL amyloidosis at our institution was similar to that reported at major amyloidosis referral centers. Over a 7 year period, we treated a total of 15 AL amyloidosis patients with ASCT, including four with poor prognosis cardiac or multisystem involvement. No TRM was observed. Overall, 10 patients (67%) achieved a complete hematological response and four patients (27%) achieved a complete organ response. The 4-year event-free and overall survival rates were 60% (95% CI 32-89%) and 75% (95% CI 50-100%), respectively. One patient, who presented with cardiac failure and multiorgan involvement with colonic bleeding currently remains in complete remission 62 months post-ASCT. In conclusion, ASCT for primary AL amyloidosis can safely be performed at experienced transplant centers that are not associated with major amyloidosis referral centers, and is feasible for patients who have multisystem involvement, particularly for motivated patients with good performance status.