Outcomes of autologous stem cell transplant for cardiac AL-amyloidosis and cardiac light chain deposition disease

Introduction: Cardiac amyloidosis and light chain deposition disease (LCDD) are the most common cause of death in AL amyloidosis or LCDD.

Methods: Our multiple myeloma database identified 50 patients with cardiac amyloidosis or LCDD between January 2004 and January 2013. Descriptive analyses were performed on available data for patient characteristics, disease course, and outcomes.

Results: The median age at diagnosis was 61 years for those who received autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (ASCT) and 71 years for those who received only bortezomib-based chemotherapy; 62.5% (n = 30) of patients had elevated levels of NT-proBNP ≥323 ng/L, and 29.2% (n = 14) of patients had an elevated cTnT ≥0.1 µg/L. Echocardiogram findings showed a speckled appearance in 18% (n = 9) of patients, and 60% (n = 30) of patients had an increased diastolic intra-ventricular septum (IVSD) thickness measuring ≥1.3 cm; 64.3% (n = 18) of patients who underwent cardiac MRI showed subendocardial enhancement. Out of 48 patients who received treatment, 37 patients were diagnosed with cardiac amyloidosis and 11 patients were diagnosed with cardiac LCDD. Twenty-eight patients (75.7%) with cardiac amyloidosis received ASCT, compared to 34.3% (n = 9) patients who were ineligible for ASCT and received chemotherapy only. Patients who underwent ASCT had a median OS of 4.48 years compared to 1.82 years (p = 0.69) for those receiving chemotherapy alone.

Conclusion: Our single institution experience shows that ASCT is feasible for cardiac amyloidosis and/or cardiac LCDD. However, careful selection of proper patients and diligent supportive care are vital to decreasing transplant-related mortality.