Treatment of immunoglobulin light chain (primary or AL) amyloidosis

Not all forms of amyloidosis are systemic. Some patients may present with a localized form and should not be treated with chemotherapy. Some patients with systemic amyloidosis may have secondary, familial, or dialysis-related types.These types are not responsive to chemotherapy. Immunoglobulin light chain (primary or AL) amyloidosis is a plasma cell dyscrasia. Suppression of light chain production translates to organ response, improved organ function, and improved quality of life. This review of the various available options for the treatment of systemic amyloidosis is designed to help the clinician determine which patients are candidates for stem cell transplantation and which should be treated with conventional chemotherapy. The role of the recently introduced novel agents in management of amyloidosis is also reviewed.     

Stem cell transplantation for immunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis

Systemic chemotherapy aimed at eradicating transformed plasma cells is the mainstay of treatment for immunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis (AL). Autologous stem cell transplantation (SCT) is a highly effective treatment for AL and can lead to long term survival in excess of 10 years in patients who achieve complete remission. Since AL is a unique disease characterized by multiple organ dysfunction, SCT poses unique challenges in this disease. Morbidity and mortality of SCT has remarkably improved over time primarily due to careful selection of patients and evolution of predictive and prognostic models based on serum immunoglobulin light chains and cardiac biomarkers. In this review we focus on the historical evolution of SCT as a treatment for AL and unique challenges it poses in the management of this rare disease and provide guidelines for managing these challenges.     

Focused review on nutritional status of patients with immunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis

Background: Immunoglobulin light chain (AL) amyloidosis is a complex disease marked by a poor clinical portrait and prognosis generally leading to organ dysfunction and shortened survival. We aimed to review the available evidence on whether AL amyloidosis can lead to malnutrition, thus having a negative impact on quality of life (QoL) and survival.Materials: We searched Pubmed for studies that assessed malnutrition in amyloidosis patients, with no restrictions to the year of publication or language. Retrospective or prospective, observational, and interventional studies that reported data regarding AL amyloidosis and nutritional status were included.Results: From 62 articles retrieved, 23 were included. Malnutrition was prevalent in up to 65% of patients with AL Amyloidosis. Prevalence of weight loss of 10% or more ranged from 6 to 22% of patients, while a body mass index of < 22 kg/m2 was found in 22 to 42%. Weight loss, lower BMI and other indicators of poor nutritional status were negatively associated with quality of life and survival. Only one RCT focused on nutritional counseling was found and reported positive results on patients QoL and survival.Conclusion: Despite inconsistencies across assessment criteria, the available data reveal that weight loss and malnutrition are common features in patients with AL amyloidosis. This review reinforces the premise that an impaired nutritional status can be negatively associated with QoL and survival in patients with AL amyloidosis, and therefore should be further investigated.     

Ten‐year survival after autologous stem cell transplantation for immunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis

BACKGROUND:

The current study was conducted to determine characteristics distinguishing the 10‐year survivor group in patients with systemic immunoglobulin light chain (AL) amyloidosis who underwent autologous stem cell transplantation (SCT).

METHODS:

The study group included all 74 patients with AL amyloidosis who underwent high‐dose melphalan treatment supported by autologous SCT since the beginning of the Mayo Clinic's SCT program until prior to August 2001.

RESULTS:

A total of 32 patients (43%) patients survived for > 10 years. Statistically significant baseline differences in the 10‐year survivor group included: 1) the number of organs involved; 2) septal thickness; 3) total cholesterol; and 4) urine total protein. The number of organs involved was the only predictor found on multivariable analysis. Depth of the response to therapy, as measured by the lowest posttransplantation serum free light chain level, was found to be the most significant indicator of durability of response.

CONCLUSIONS:

Autologous SCT can offer durable benefit for patients with AL amyloidosis. The number of organs involved offers the greatest pretreatment prognostic value, whereas the lowest posttransplantation serum free light chain level offers the best posttreatment prognostic value. Cancer 2012. © 2012 American Cancer Society.     

Immunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis diagnosis and treatment algorithm 2021

Immunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis (AL) commonly presents with nephrotic range proteinuria, heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, nondiabetic peripheral neuropathy, unexplained hepatomegaly or diarrhea, and should be considered in patients presenting with these symptoms. More importantly, patients being monitored for smoldering multiple myeloma and a monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) are at risk for developing AL amyloidosis. MGUS and myeloma patients that have atypical features, including unexplained weight loss; lower extremity edema, early satiety, and dyspnea on exertion should be considered at risk for light chain amyloidosis. Overlooking the diagnosis of light chain amyloidosis leading to therapy delay is common, and it represents an error of diagnostic consideration. Herein we provide a review of established and investigational treatments for patients with AL amyloidosis and provide algorithms for workup and management of these patients.Subject terms: Myeloma, Chemotherapy     

Abnormal FISH in patients with immunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis is a risk factor for cardiac involvement and for death

Importance of interphase fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) with cytoplasmic staining of immunoglobulin FISH (cIg-FISH) on bone marrow is not well understood in light chain amyloidosis (AL). This is in contrast with multiple myeloma where prognostic and treatment related decisions are dependent on cytogenetic testing. This retrospective study reviewed 401 AL patients with cIg-FISH testing performed at our institution between 2004 and 2012. Eighty-one percent of patients had an abnormal cIg-FISH. Common abnormalities involved translocations of chromosome 14q32 (52%), specifically: t(11;14) (43%), t(14;16) (3%) and t(4;14) (2%). Other common abnormalities include monosomy 13/deletion 13q (30%), trisomies 9 (20%), 15 (14%), 11 (10%) and 3 (10%). Median overall survival for this cohort of patients is 3.5 years. When plasma cell burden was greater than 10% trisomies predicted for worse survival (44 vs 19 months), and when it was ⩽10% t(11;14) predicted for worse survival (53 months vs not reached). Abnormal cIg-FISH was significantly associated with advanced cardiac involvement, and remained a prognostic factor on multivariate analysis. This large AL cohort demonstrates that abnormal FISH at diagnosis is prognostic for survival and advanced cardiac disease. Particularly, trisomies and t(11;14) affect survival when degree of plasma cell burden is considered.     

Monoclonal antibody to the light chain of bovine immunoglobulin

Monoclonal antibody IVA-285 (IgG1 isotype) recognizing antigenic determinant on bovine and ovine immunoglobulin light chain was produced and characterized. Western blot analysis of bovine immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) purified from bovine blood serum as well as whole immunoglobulin fractions of bovine and ovine serum with IVA-285 showed a molecular weight in the 24-27 kd range corresponding to the Ig light chain of bovine Ig. IVA-285 recognizes the Ig light chain on Ig+ lymphocyte subpopulation and in the majority of body fluids; however, especially strong reactions were observed in bovine tissues (lymph node follicles, plasma cells, and Ig deposits in various tissues).     

Systemic immunoglobulin light-chain amyloidosis

Amyloidosis is a rare disease in which amyloid fibrils compromise organ function and lead to death. Systemic immunoglobulin light-chain amyloidosis, usually caused by free light chains (FLCs) made by clonal plasma cells, is the most frequent type. Hereditary and senile systemic amyloidosis are less frequent types. Rarely, a patient with a tissue diagnosis of amyloidosis might have a monoclonal gammopathy and a hereditary protein. In systemic immunoglobulin light-chain amyloidosis, circulating clonal light chains can be measured with the FLC assay and provide a target for therapy aimed at eliminating the underlying plasma cell disorder while supporting the patient. Elimination of the pathologic FLC can lead to resorption of amyloid deposits and improvement in organ function. Monthly oral melphalan and dexamethasone for 1 year is effective therapy for patients not eligible for autologous stem cell transplantation (SCT) but carries a risk of myelodysplasia. For patients with limited organ involvement, SCT is an effective approach and, when followed after SCT by adjuvant thalidomide and dexamethasone for persistent plasma cell disease, achieves a high 1-year hematologic response rate. Complete hematologic responses can be durable beyond a decade and are usually associated with organ recovery. New agents, such as bortezomib and lenalidomide, have shown promising activity, and novel monoclonal antibody approaches are also under active investigation.     

轻链淀粉样变性的诊治更新及存在的问题

轻链淀粉样变性(AL)主要是免疫球蛋白轻链错误折叠形成的淀粉样物质,引起人体多脏器损害的一种克隆性浆细胞病,其发生机制不清楚.临床上通常以患者心、肾等某一脏器衰竭为突出表现.治疗主要为美法仑联合地塞米松或硼替佐米等靶向新药化疗或进行自体干细胞移植治疗.疗效的判断不仅以血清游离轻链及M蛋白水平判断血液学反应,更要以氨基末端B型脑钠肽前体和肌钙蛋白I判断心脏等重要脏器功能改善情况.在新药时代,心脏受累是生存和预后的决定因素.AL的现代治疗,不仅要给予抗浆细胞的新药靶向治疗,更要结合抗淀粉样变治疗,以清除AL的伴侣蛋白.尽管治疗上有很多可喜进展,但也有不少问题亟待解决.     

Alternative rearrangements of immunoglobulin light chain genes in human leukemia.

Immunoglobulin heavy and light chain genes undergo rearrangement before they can be expressed by B-cells. A sequence of successive rearrangements has been proposed, suggesting that these events are initiated on heavy chain genes and are followed by sequential attempts of light chain gene rearrangements involving kappa gene alleles before lambda genes. This hypothesis, mainly established on B-cell clones of medullary origin, is consistent with the predominance of kappa chains among human serum immunoglobulins. However, data from tumors or normal lymphoid tissue suggest that lambda chain expression could be favored outside the bone marrow, due to an alternative rearrangement hierarchy. We investigated this hypothesis further on 17 leukemia samples. In three instances, we observed that lambda genes had undergone rearrangement while kappa genes remained in germline configuration. These data support the hypothesis of occasional alternative rearrangements of light chain genes.     

免疫球蛋白轻链Igκ和Igλ在大肠癌细胞中同时表达

目的研究免疫球蛋白(Ig)轻链kappa(Igκ)和lambda(Igλ)在大肠癌细胞中的表达状况,以及Igκ和Igλ在大肠癌细胞中表达的一致性。方法运用免疫组织化学方法对30例石蜡包埋人大肠癌组织标本Igκ和Igλ进行检测。结果在30例大肠癌组织中,大肠癌细胞内Igκ和Igλ均阳性者17例,占56.7%,仅Igλ阳性者6例,占20.0%,两者均阴性者7例,占23.3%,结果显示大肠癌细胞内Igκ和Igλ两者的表达关系密切(χ2=11.9398,P<0.001)。结论大肠癌细胞中同时有两种类型免疫球蛋白轻链(Igκ和Igλ)表达,提示其可能有不同于B淋巴细胞的Ig基因活化机制。     

胃癌细胞中免疫球蛋白轻链Igκ和Igλ的共同表达

目的　研究免疫球蛋白 (Ig)轻链kappa(Igκ)和lambda(Igλ)在胃癌细胞中的表达状况 ,以及Igκ和Igλ在胃癌细胞中表达的一致性。方法　运用免疫组织化学技术LSAB法对 2 2例石蜡包埋人胃癌组织标本Igκ和Igλ进行检测。结果　在 2 2例胃癌组织中 ,胃癌细胞内Igκ和Igλ均阳性者 17例 ,占 77.3% ;仅Igκ阳性者 2例 ,占 9.1% ;仅Igλ阳性者 1例 ,占 4 .5 % ;两者均阴性者 2例 ,占 9.1%。结果显示 ,胃癌细胞内Igκ和Igλ两者的表达关系密切 (χ2 =5 .4 898,P <0 .0 5 )。结论　胃癌细胞中同时有两种类型免疫球蛋白轻链 (Igκ和Igλ)表达 ,提示其可能有不同于B淋巴细胞的Ig基因活化机制     

Treatment and outcomes of patients with light chain amyloidosis who received a second line of therapy post autologous stem cell transplantation

We retrospectively reviewed 292 patients who received a second line of therapy post ASCT for their light chain amyloidosis. Most patients (40%) were treated with an alkylator + PI ± dex or PI ± dex followed by an alkylator + 2nd-gen IMiD ± dex or 2nd-gen IMiD ± dex (26%), an alkylator ± steroid or steroid monotherapy (19%), a 2nd-gen IMiD + PI ± dex (6%), an alkylator + thalidomide ± dex (5%), or daratumumab-based therapy (4%). The rate of CR or VGPR was 70% among the daratumumab-based group, 62% in the alkylator + PI ± dex or PI ± dex group, 55% in the alkylator + 2nd-gen IMiD ± dex or 2nd-gen IMiD ± dex group, 47% in the 2nd-gen IMiD + PI ± dex group, 24% in the alkylator ± steroid or steroid monotherapy group, and 18% in the alkylator + thalidomide ± dex group. The median OS was NR for the 2nd-gen IMiD + PI ± dex group and the daratumumab group, 130.4 months in the alkylator + 2nd-gen IMiD ± dex or 2nd-gen IMiD ± dex group, 100 months for the alkylator + PI ± dex or PI ± dex group, 36 months for the alkylator ± steroid or steroid monotherapy group, and 21 months for the alkylator + thalidomide ± dex group (P < 0.0001). The median OS was 100 months in patients who received melphalan 200 mg/m² compared to 41 months in the 140 mg/m² group (P < 0.0001). In conclusion, patients receiving novel therapy post ASCT and melphalan conditioning dosing at 200 mg/m² at diagnosis had better outcomes.Subject terms: Haematological diseases, Medical research     

Analysis of immunoglobulin heavy and light chain variable genes in post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders

Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) derive from antigen-experienced B-cells and represent a major complication of solid organ transplantation. We characterized usage, mutation frequency and mutation pattern of immunoglobulin variable (IGV) gene rearrangements in 50 PTLD (polymorphic PTLD, n=10; diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, n=35; and Burkitt/Burkitt-like lymphoma, n=5). Among PTLD yielding clonal IGV amplimers, a functional IGV heavy chain (IGHV) rearrangement was found in 40/50 (80.0%) cases, whereas a potentially functional IGV light chain rearrangement was identified in 36/46 (78.3%) PTLD. By combining IGHV and IGV light chain rearrangements, 10/50 (20.0%) PTLD carried crippling mutations, precluding expression of a functional B-cell receptor (BCR). Immunohistochemistry showed detectable expression of IG light chains in only 18/43 (41.9%) PTLD. Failure to detect a functional IGV rearrangement associated with lack of IGV expression. Our data suggest that a large fraction of PTLD arise from germinal centre (GC)-experienced B-cells that display impaired BCR. Since a functional BCR is required for normal B-cell survival during GC transit, PTLD development may implicate rescue from apoptosis and expansion of B-cells that have failed the GC reaction. The high frequency of IGV loci inactivation appears to be a peculiar feature of PTLD among immunodeficiency-associated lymphoproliferations.     

Mechanisms of disease: monoclonal immunoglobulin deposition. Amyloidosis, light chain deposition disease, and light and heavy chain deposition disease.

All forms of MIDD are related to the presence of an expanded clone of B-cell origin that is producing an Ig product, usually, but not exclusively an L-chain, which is predisposed to deposit in tissues, with or without some degree of processing. The nature of the processing is currently unclear, although limited proteolysis is likely to play a major role in most, but not all, patients. Diagnosis is made by the identification, using immunohistochemical techniques, of the monoclonal Ig nature of the deposited material, which may be fibrillar and Congo red-positive (AL and AH), or more amorphous and Congo red-negative (LCDD and LCHDD). Present modalities of therapy are similar or identical to those employed in multiple myeloma, attempting to eliminate the monoclonal cell population responsible for the production of the precursor of the deposited protein. A variety of ancillary therapeutic measures may be employed to treat problems associated with the failure of specific organs produced by the deposition. The details of how the uniformly soluble precursor molecule is converted to an essentially insoluble aggregate that compromises the function of the tissue in which it is formed are not yet known. It is still not possible to construct a potential "unified field theory" governing the deposition of intact Igs or their fragments. It is likely, as appears to be the case in other forms of amyloid unrelated to Ig, that many proteins contain, within their sequence, peptides that are capable of forming insoluble beta sheet-like structures. When these peptides are isolated from their surrounding molecular environment--either by proteolysis in the test tube, by a mutational change that predisposes them to limited proteolysis; or by a point mutation, deletion, or some other structural modification (as glycosylation), which alters their molecular context without proteolysis--and are present in sufficient concentration, they become less soluble under physiologic conditions. It is likely that the site of deposition depends upon the site of synthesis, but to a lesser extent than the protease profile and the physicochemical make-up of the affected tissues. Better understanding of the latter factors is necessary for the development of better modes of treatment.