[Treatment of primary systemic amyloidosis with the combination of bortezomib and dexamethasone].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of bortezomib plus dexamethasone (BD) in patients with primary systemic (AL) amyloidosis.

METHODS: Eleven AL amyloidosis patients, including four relapsed or progressed after previous therapies and 7 newly diagnosed were treated with BD. Ten patients had two or more organs involved. Precursor protein analysis showed that 1 was κ light chain, 9 λ light chain; 5 patients with positive immunofixation including 1 IgG κ, 3 IgG λ and 1 IgA λ. BD was administered according to standard two-week schedule.

RESULTS: Eight patients were evaluable, the median number of treatment cycles was 3 (range 1 - 6). Median follow-up duration was 6 months. At least one affected organ response was observed in six patients and median time to organ response was 2 months. Three patients progressed and two of them died. Toxicities were mainly diarrhea, thrombocytopenia, peripheral neuropathy, fatigue and herpes zoster, and 7 evaluable patients who had toxicities were adjusted dosage and 2 of them interrupted therapy. Epilepsia, paralytic ileus, acute cardiac dysfunction, and postural hypotention were occurred in 3 inevaluble patients.

CONCLUSION: Bortezomib plus dexamethasone is effective in AL amyloidosis. Adverse events are common, and in some patients are severe.