Treatment of patients with advanced cardiac AL amyloidosis with oral melphalan, dexamethasone, and thalidomide.

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.

• Authors: Giovanni Palladini, Paola Russo, Francesca Lavatelli, Mario Nuvolone, Riccardo Albertini, Tiziana Bosoni, Vittorio Perfetti, Laura Obici, Stefano Perlini, Remigio Moratti, Giampaolo Merlini
• Journal: Annals of hematology (Ann Hematol) Vol. 88 Issue 4 Pg. 347-50 (Apr 2009) ISSN: 1432-0584 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 18779964 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Thalidomide
• Dexamethasone
• Melphalan

Topics

• Aged
• Amyloidosis (drug therapy)
• Dexamethasone (administration & dosage)
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Female
• Heart Diseases (drug therapy)
• Heart Failure (drug therapy)
• Humans
• Male
• Melphalan (administration & dosage)
• Middle Aged
• Stroke Volume
• Survival Rate
• Thalidomide
• Treatment Outcome