title: A modified high-dose dexamethasone regimen for primary systemic (AL) amyloidosis.
abstract: High-dose dexamethasone (HD-Dex) has been reported to benefit AL amyloidosis patients with varying response rates. Our preliminary experience with the usual HD-Dex schedule indicated that the induction phase was rather toxic in AL patients. We therefore adopted a milder schedule consisting of dexamethasone 40 mg on d 1-4 q21 d for up to eight cycles. Overall 8 out of 23 (35%) treated patients responded to treatment in a median time of 4 months (range 2-6 months) without significant toxicity. This regimen may be considered front-line therapy when autologous stem cell transplantation is not feasible and when a rapid response is particularly important.
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology, and Biotechnology Research Laboratories, Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Palladini
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Anesi
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Perfetti
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Obici
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Invernizzi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Balduini
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ascari
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Merlini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000686:Amyloidosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D003907:Dexamethasone