Patients with primary (AL) amyloidosis and heart failure have a very poor prognosis and cannot tolerate aggressive therapy, such as autologous stem cell transplantation and high-dose dexamethasone-based regimens. We prospectively treated 22 patients with advanced cardiac amyloidosis combining oral melphalan, thalidomide, and reduced intensity dexamethasone (MTD). Six patients died due to cardiac amyloidosis before completing cycle 3. Early death was associated with reduced ejection fraction. Eight patients achieved a hematological response and four achieved a durable improvement of cardiac dysfunction. Treatment with MTD is feasible in patients with advanced cardiac AL amyloidosis and effective in subjects with preserved systolic function.
Treatment of patients with advanced cardiac AL amyloidosis with oral melphalan, dexamethasone, and thalidomide
PALLADINI, GIOVANNI;RUSSO, PAOLA ROSA NICE MARIA;LAVATELLI, FRANCESCA;NUVOLONE, MARIO ULISSE;ALBERTINI, RICCARDO;PERLINI, STEFANO;MORATTI, REMIGIO;MERLINI, GIAMPAOLO
2009-01-01
Abstract
Patients with primary (AL) amyloidosis and heart failure have a very poor prognosis and cannot tolerate aggressive therapy, such as autologous stem cell transplantation and high-dose dexamethasone-based regimens. We prospectively treated 22 patients with advanced cardiac amyloidosis combining oral melphalan, thalidomide, and reduced intensity dexamethasone (MTD). Six patients died due to cardiac amyloidosis before completing cycle 3. Early death was associated with reduced ejection fraction. Eight patients achieved a hematological response and four achieved a durable improvement of cardiac dysfunction. Treatment with MTD is feasible in patients with advanced cardiac AL amyloidosis and effective in subjects with preserved systolic function.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
