Primary AL amyloid polyneuropathy successfully treated with high-dose melphalan followed by autologous stem cell transplantation.

Abstract

We report 2 patients with polyneuropathy associated with amyloid derived from light chains (AL) who were treated successfully with high-dose melphalan followed by autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (HDM/SCT). Neuropathic symptoms improved in conjunction with normalization of serum-free light chains. In addition to amyloid deposits in tissues, an amyloidogenic light chain itself produced by abnormal plasma cells might be harmful to peripheral nerve function, and thus HDM/SCT seems to be a promising therapy for primary AL amyloid polyneuropathy.

• Authors: Nagaaki Katoh, Masayuki Matsuda, Takuhiro Yoshida, Masahide Yazaki, Hiroshi Morita, Kazuo Sakashita, Shu-Ichi Ikeda
• Journal: Muscle & nerve (Muscle Nerve) Vol. 41 Issue 1 Pg. 138-43 (Jan 2010) ISSN: 1097-4598 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 19813189 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Myeloablative Agonists
• Melphalan

Topics

• Adult
• Amyloid Neuropathies (diagnosis, drug therapy, surgery)
• Biopsy
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Electromyography
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Male
• Melphalan (administration & dosage)
• Middle Aged
• Muscle, Skeletal (pathology)
• Myeloablative Agonists (administration & dosage)
• Stem Cell Transplantation (methods)
• Transplantation, Autologous