High-dose melphalan and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in primary amyloidosis: single-center results.
BACKGROUND
Systemic immunoglobulin light-chain amyloidosis (AL) is a plasma cell dyscrasia resulting in multisystem organ failure and death. Autologous hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (ASCT) has been widely used to treat patients with AL. However, treatment-related mortality remains high and reported series are subject to selection bias.


METHODS
To define the role of patient selection in stem cell transplantation, we evaluated 24 consecutive AL patients transplanted at our center.


RESULTS
Complete hematologic response was achieved in all 20 patients surviving >100 days posttransplantation. The 1-year overall survival (OS) rate after ASCT was 78.5%. The 5- and 10-year progression-free and OS rates were 57% and 47%, respectively. Treatment-related deaths owing to cardiovascular problems occurred in 16% of cases.


CONCLUSIONS
ASCT for AL amyloidosis can be safely performed in experienced transplantation centers, and increased risk is associated mainly with cardiovascular system involvement.
Medical University of Warsaw, Department of Hematology, Oncology and Internal Diseases, Warsaw, Poland.
G
G
Charlinski
Medical University of Warsaw, Department of Hematology, Oncology and Internal Diseases, Warsaw, Poland.
M
M
Ziarkiewicz
Medical University of Warsaw, Department of Hematology, Oncology and Internal Diseases, Warsaw, Poland.
P
P
Boguradzki
Medical University of Warsaw, Department of Hematology, Oncology and Internal Diseases, Warsaw, Poland.
E
E
Wiater
Medical University of Warsaw, Department of Hematology, Oncology and Internal Diseases, Warsaw, Poland.
T
T
Torosian
Medical University of Warsaw, Department of Hematology, Oncology and Internal Diseases, Warsaw, Poland.
J
J
Dwilewicz-Trojaczek
Medical University of Warsaw, Department of Hematology, Oncology and Internal Diseases, Warsaw, Poland. Electronic address: wiktor@amwaw.edu.pl.
W
W
Wiktor-Jedrzejczak
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000686:Amyloidosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D000075363:Immunoglobulin Light-chain Amyloidosis; D008297:Male; D008558:Melphalan / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D019653:Myeloablative Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018579:Patient Selection; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous
D019653:Myeloablative Agonists; D008558:Melphalan