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La Revue de Medecine Interne Feb 2023AA amyloidosis is secondary to the deposit of excess insoluble Serum Amyloid A (SAA) protein fibrils. AA amyloidosis complicates chronic inflammatory diseases,... (Review)
Review
AA amyloidosis is secondary to the deposit of excess insoluble Serum Amyloid A (SAA) protein fibrils. AA amyloidosis complicates chronic inflammatory diseases, especially chronic inflammatory rheumatisms such as rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthritis; chronic infections such as tuberculosis, bronchectasia, chronic inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease; and auto-inflammatory diseases including familial Mediterranean fever. This work consists of the French guidelines for the diagnosis workup and treatment of AA amyloidosis. We estimate in France between 500 and 700 cases in the whole French population, affecting both men and women. The most frequent organ impaired is kidney which usually manifests by oedemas of the lower extremities, proteinuria, and/or renal failure. Patients are usually tired and can display digestive features anf thyroid goiter. The diagnosis of AA amyloidosis is based on detection of amyloid deposits on a biopsy using Congo Red staining with a characteristic green birefringence in polarized light. Immunohistochemical analysis with an antibody directed against Serum Amyloid A protein is essential to confirm the diagnosis of AA amyloidosis. Peripheral inflammatory biomarkers can be measured such as C Reactive protein and SAA. We propose an algorithm to guide the etiological diagnosis of AA amyloidosis. The treatement relies on the etiologic treatment of the undelying chronic inflammatory disease to decrease and/or normalize Serum Amyloid A protein concentration in order to stabilize amyloidosis. In case of renal failure, dialysis or even a kidney transplant can be porposed. Nowadays, there is currently no specific treatment for AA amyloidosis deposits which constitutes a therapeutic challenge for the future.
Topics: Male; Humans; Female; Serum Amyloid A Protein; Amyloidosis; Familial Mediterranean Fever; Chronic Disease; Renal Insufficiency
PubMed: 36759076
DOI: 10.1016/j.revmed.2022.12.004 -
Oxidative Medicine and Cellular... 2019
Topics: Amyloidosis; Animals; Humans; Inflammation; Oxidative Stress
PubMed: 31612076
DOI: 10.1155/2019/6024975 -
Clinical Research in Cardiology :... Apr 2021Systemic forms of amyloidosis affecting the heart are mostly light-chain (AL) and transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidoses. The latter is caused by deposition of misfolded... (Review)
Review
Systemic forms of amyloidosis affecting the heart are mostly light-chain (AL) and transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidoses. The latter is caused by deposition of misfolded transthyretin, either in wild-type (ATTRwt) or mutant (ATTRv) conformation. For diagnostics, specific serum biomarkers and modern non-invasive imaging techniques, such as cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) and scintigraphic methods, are available today. These imaging techniques do not only complement conventional echocardiography, but also allow for accurate assessment of the extent of cardiac involvement, in addition to diagnosing cardiac amyloidosis. Endomyocardial biopsy still plays a major role in the histopathological diagnosis and subtyping of cardiac amyloidosis. The main objective of the diagnostic algorithm outlined in this position statement is to detect cardiac amyloidosis as reliably and early as possible, to accurately determine its extent, and to reliably identify the underlying subtype of amyloidosis, thereby enabling subsequent targeted treatment.
Topics: Amyloidosis; Cardiology; Cardiomyopathies; Diagnosis, Differential; Diagnostic Imaging; Disease Management; Electrocardiography; Germany; Humans; Radionuclide Imaging; Societies, Medical
PubMed: 33459839
DOI: 10.1007/s00392-020-01799-3 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2022In amyloid light-chain (AL) amyloidosis, small B-cell clones (mostly plasma cell clones) present in the bone marrow proliferate and secrete unstable monoclonal free... (Review)
Review
In amyloid light-chain (AL) amyloidosis, small B-cell clones (mostly plasma cell clones) present in the bone marrow proliferate and secrete unstable monoclonal free light chains (FLCs), which form amyloid fibrils that deposit in the interstitial tissue, resulting in organ injury and dysfunction. AL amyloidosis progresses much faster than other types of amyloidosis, with a slight delay in diagnosis leading to a marked exacerbation of cardiomyopathy. In some cases, the resulting heart failure is so severe that chemotherapy cannot be administered, and death sometimes occurs within a few months. To date, many clinical studies have focused on therapeutics, especially chemotherapy, to treat this disease. Because it is necessary to promptly lower FLC, the causative protein of amyloid, to achieve a hematological response, various anticancer agents targeting neoplastic plasma cells are used for the treatment of this disease. In addition, many basic studies using human specimens to elucidate the pathophysiology of AL have been conducted. Gene mutations associated with AL, the characteristics of amyloidogenic LC, and the structural specificity of amyloid fibrils have been clarified. Regarding the mechanism of cellular and tissue damage, the mass effect due to amyloid deposition, as well as the toxicity of pre-fibrillar LC, is gradually being elucidated. This review outlines the pathogenesis and treatment strategies for AL amyloidosis with respect to its molecular mechanisms.
Topics: Amyloid; Amyloidogenic Proteins; Amyloidosis; Humans; Immunoglobulin Light Chains; Immunoglobulin Light-chain Amyloidosis
PubMed: 35683015
DOI: 10.3390/ijms23116336 -
Advances in Therapy Nov 2023Systemic immunoglobulin light chain (AL) amyloidosis is a heterogeneous rare disease driven by a destructive monoclonal gammopathy and typified by misfolded... (Review)
Review
Systemic immunoglobulin light chain (AL) amyloidosis is a heterogeneous rare disease driven by a destructive monoclonal gammopathy and typified by misfolded immunoglobulin light and/or heavy chains which aggregate and deposit in organs as insoluble amyloid fibrils. Disease heterogeneity is driven by the degree of multi-systemic involvement; cardiac, renal, neurological, and gastrointestinal (GI) systems are affected to varying degrees in different patients. While prognosis is primarily driven by hematologic response to treatment and outcomes associated with cardiac events and overall survival, the involvement of the peripheral nervous, hepatic, and GI systems can also have a significant impact on patients. The Amyloidosis Forum ( https://amyloidosisforum.org ) is a public-private partnership between the nonprofit Amyloidosis Research Consortium ( www.arci.org ) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Drug Evaluation and Research formed to advance drug development for the treatment of systemic amyloid disorders. A series of virtual workshops focused on the development of novel, patient-relevant endpoint components and analytical strategies for clinical trials in AL amyloidosis. This review summarizes the proceedings and recommendations of the Multi-Systemic Working Group which identified, reviewed, and prioritized endpoints relevant to the impacts of AL amyloidosis on the peripheral nervous, hepatic, and GI systems. The Working Group comprised amyloidosis experts, patient representatives, statisticians, and representatives from the FDA, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), and pharmaceutical companies. Prioritized neuropathy/autonomic endpoints included a modified form of the Neuropathy Impairment Score (NIS + 7) and the Composite Autonomic Symptom Score (COMPASS-31), respectively. Alkaline phosphatase was identified as the most relevant indicator of liver involvement and disease progression. Following extensive review of potential GI endpoints, the Working Group identified multiple exploratory endpoints. These recommended components will be further explored through evaluation of clinical trial datasets and possible integration into composite endpoint analysis.
Topics: United States; Humans; Immunoglobulin Light-chain Amyloidosis; Amyloidosis; Amyloid; Immunoglobulin Light Chains; Liver
PubMed: 37658177
DOI: 10.1007/s12325-023-02637-4 -
Journal of UOEH 2021A 75-year-old-man experienced liver dysfunction and was diagnosed with decompensated liver cirrhosis. His serum hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) was very high (16.24...
A 75-year-old-man experienced liver dysfunction and was diagnosed with decompensated liver cirrhosis. His serum hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) was very high (16.24 ng/ml). Because the etiology was unclear, we considered the possibility of amyloidosis. Biopsy of the mucosa of the stomach, duodenum and rectum demonstrated amyloid deposition. From the findings of Congo red staining and immunohistochemical analyses, we made a diagnosis of systemic amyloid light-chain amyloidosis. Unfortunately, the patient died one month after the diagnosis. We considered that serum HGF was useful for the diagnosis and prediction of prognosis of primary systemic amyloidosis.
Topics: Aged; Amyloidosis; Biopsy; Hepatocyte Growth Factor; Humans; Immunoglobulin Light-chain Amyloidosis; Stomach
PubMed: 34092767
DOI: 10.7888/juoeh.43.227 -
Revista de La Facultad de Ciencias... Sep 2021The increasing complexity in the approach to diseases challenges the development of a new paradigm of care that crosses disciplinary limits, where professionals from...
The increasing complexity in the approach to diseases challenges the development of a new paradigm of care that crosses disciplinary limits, where professionals from different disciplines approach a problem applying their expertise, respecting the knowledge of the other and contributing to the global view of the problem. Amyloidoses are rare diseases. The diagnosis is based on the biopsy of those organs in which amyloid infiltration is suspected. There is an increased risk of bleeding associated with these procedures. Therefore, the availability of obtaining samples from certain sites with less invasive accesses, such as the minor salivary glands (GSM), represent an alternative. Objectives: Describe the experiences of GSM biopsies as a diagnostic tool in the detection of amyloidosis and its intra and postoperative complications. - Estimate the diagnostic performance. The design is a cross-sectional cohort. All patients with a suspected diagnosis of amyloidosis were consecutively included, between August 2018-September 2020. Results: 23 biopsies were performed with minimally invasive procedures. 60.86% were male and the average age was 66 years. The prevalence of amyloidosis was 33%. The sensitivity was 55% and the specificity 100%. One patient had more bleeding than usual during the procedure and none had postoperative complications. Conclusions: GSM biopsy experiences were described as a diagnostic tool for amyloidosis, reporting a slight intraoperative complication and no postoperative complication. The test achieved a sensitivity of 55% and a specificity of 100%.
Topics: Amyloidosis; Humans
PubMed: 34617706
DOI: 10.31053/1853.0605.v78.n3.32341 -
Clinical Research in Cardiology :... Jan 2020Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is an underappreciated cause of morbidity and mortality. Light-chain (AL) and transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidosis have different disease...
BACKGROUND
Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is an underappreciated cause of morbidity and mortality. Light-chain (AL) and transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidosis have different disease trajectories. No data are available on subtype-specific modes of death (MOD) in patients with CA.
METHODS AND RESULTS
We retrospectively investigated 66 with AL and 48 with wild-type ATTR amyloidosis (ATTRwt) from 2000 to 2018. ATTRwt differed from AL by age (74.6 ± 5.4 years vs. 63 ± 10.8 years), posterior wall thickness (16.8 ± 3.3 mm vs. 14.3 ± 2.2 mm), left ventricular mass index (180.7 ± 63.2 g/m vs. 133.5 ± 42.2 g/m), and the proportions of male gender (91.7% vs. 59.1%), atrial enlargement (92% vs. 68.2%) and atrial fibrillation (50% vs. 12.1%). In AL NYHA Functional Class and proteinuria (72.7% vs. 39.6%) were greater; mean arterial pressure (84.4 ± 13.5 mmHg vs. 90.0 ± 11.3 mmHg) was lower. Unadjusted 5-year mortality rate was 65% in AL-CA vs. 44% in the ATTRwt group. Individuals with AL-CA were 2.28 times ([95%CI 1.27-4.10]; p = 0.006) more likely to die than were individuals with ATTRwt-CA. Information on MOD was available in 56 (94.9%) of 59 deceased patients. MOD was cardiovascular in 40 (66.8%) and non-cardiovascular in 16 (27.1%) patients. Cardiovascular [28 (68.3%) vs. 13 (80%)] death events were distributed equally between AL and ATTRwt (p = 0.51).
CONCLUSION
Our data indicate no differences in MOD between patients with AL and ATTRwt cardiac amyloidosis despite significant differences in clinical presentation and disease progression. Cardiovascular events account for more than two-thirds of fatal casualties in both groups.
Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Amyloidosis; Atrial Fibrillation; Cardiomyopathies; Cohort Studies; Disease Progression; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Immunoglobulin Light-chain Amyloidosis; Male; Middle Aged; Prealbumin; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 31134330
DOI: 10.1007/s00392-019-01490-2 -
Journal of the American Heart... Aug 2023
Topics: Humans; Aged; Prealbumin; Penetrance; Amyloidosis; Heart Failure; Health Disparate Minority and Vulnerable Populations
PubMed: 37486081
DOI: 10.1161/JAHA.123.030802 -
European Heart Journal. Cardiovascular... Dec 2023The pathophysiological hallmark of cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is the deposition of amyloid within the myocardium. Consequently, extracellular volume (ECV) of affected... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
AIMS
The pathophysiological hallmark of cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is the deposition of amyloid within the myocardium. Consequently, extracellular volume (ECV) of affected patients increases. However, studies on ECV progression over time are lacking. We aimed to investigate the progression of ECV and its prognostic impact in CA patients.
METHODS AND RESULTS
Serial cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) examinations, including ECV quantification, were performed in consecutive CA patients. Between 2012 and 2021, 103 CA patients underwent baseline and follow-up CMR, including ECV quantification. Median ECVs at baseline of the total (n = 103), transthyretin [(ATTR) n = 80], and [light chain (AL) n = 23] CA cohorts were 48.0%, 49.0%, and 42.6%, respectively. During a median period of 12 months, ECV increased significantly in all cohorts [change (Δ) +3.5% interquartile range (IQR): -1.9 to +6.9, P < 0.001; Δ +3.5%, IQR: -2.0 to +6.7, P < 0.001; and Δ +3.5%, IQR: -1.6 to +9.1, P = 0.026]. Separate analyses for treatment-naïve (n = 21) and treated (n = 59) ATTR patients revealed that the median change of ECV from baseline to follow-up was significantly higher among untreated patients (+5.7% vs. +2.3%, P = 0.004). Survival analyses demonstrated that median change of ECV was a predictor of outcome [total: hazard ratio (HR): 1.095, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.047-1.0145, P < 0.001; ATTR: HR: 1.073, 95% CI: 1.015-1.134, P = 0.013; and AL: HR: 1.131, 95% CI: 1.041-1.228, P = 0.003].
CONCLUSION
The present study supports the use of serial ECV quantification in CA patients, as change of ECV was a predictor of outcome and could provide information in the evaluation of amyloid-specific treatments.
Topics: Humans; Amyloidosis; Cardiomyopathies; Contrast Media; Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine; Myocardium; Predictive Value of Tests; Registries; Prospective Studies
PubMed: 37549339
DOI: 10.1093/ehjci/jead188