Linked Life Data

9402333

Source:http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/id/9402333

Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
3-4
pubmed:dateCreated
1998-1-29
pubmed:abstractText
Current therapy for primary systemic (AL) amyloidosis has only modest efficacy (response rate 25%) and because it includes alkylating agents, it has a significant leukemogenic potential (actuarial risk 21% at 3.5 years). We treated 9 consecutive patients with biopsy proven AL amyloidosis seen at our institution with pulse dexamethasone induction (40 mg on days 1-4, 9-12, 17-20 repeated q 35 days) for 3-6 cycles followed by maintenance alpha interferon 3-6 million units thrice weekly. Three patients also received maintenance dexamethasone (40 mg/day x 4 days q 4-8 weeks) for the first year. Improvement in > or = 1 AL organ involvement was seen in 8 of 9 patients. Of 7 patients with nephrotic range proteinuria, 6 had > or = 50% reduction in nonspecific proteinuria with a median time to response of 4 months (range 3-9 months). Marked improvement in organ function was also seen in 4 patients with gastrointestinal, hepatic and neuropathic involvement. However, none of the 2 patients with congestive heart failure improved. This dexamethasone plus alpha interferon regimen, devoid of leukemogenic potential, may lead to rapid and durable improvement in organ function in a significant proportion of patients with AL amyloidosis and deserves further evaluation as front line therapy.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Oct
pubmed:issn
1042-8194
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
27
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
351-6
pubmed:dateRevised
2006-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1997
pubmed:articleTitle
Treatment of AL-amyloidosis with dexamethasone plus alpha interferon.
pubmed:affiliation
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and VA Medical Center, Little Rock 72205, USA.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Clinical Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't