High-Dose Melphalan and Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Primary Amyloidosis: Single-Center Results

BackgroundSystemic 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.MethodsTo define the role of patient selection in stem cell transplantation, we evaluated 24 consecutive AL patients transplanted at our center.ResultsComplete 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.ConclusionASCT for AL amyloidosis can be safely performed in experienced transplantation centers, and increased risk is associated mainly with cardiovascular system involvement.