Cardiac dysfunction is a major determinant of poor survival in multiple myeloma (MM) patients with concurrently developed light chain amyloidosis (AL), according to the results of a small cohort study conducted at a single institution.
A total of 53 patients in whom MM and AL were initially diagnosed from July 2006 to June 2016, The cohort comprised 36 men and 17 women with a median age of 59 years; main organ involvement was kidney (72%) and heart (62%). A bortezomib-based regimen was used in 22 patients whose response rate was better than the other 21 patients who received nonbortezomib-based regimens (64% vs. 29%). The median overall survival for the total cohort was 12 months (P < .05), according to the report published in Clinical Lymphoma, Myeloma & Leukemia.
Of particular note, the researchers found that cardiac involvement significantly and adversely affected overall survival (6 vs. 40 months), as did low systolic blood pressure (<90 mm Hg, 3 vs. 8.5 months), according to Yuanyuan Yu and colleagues at the Multiple Myeloma Medical Center of Beijing, Beijing Chao-yang Hospital.
“Although MM-concurrent AL is rare, AL has a negative impact on survival. This study determined that cardiovascular dysfunction caused by AL is the main determinant of shortening survival in patients with MM complicated with AL, and the necessary interventions should be taken to prevent cardiovascular risk,” the researchers concluded.
The work was supported by the Beijing Municipal Health Commission. The authors reported that they had no disclosures.
SOURCE: Yu Y et al. Clin Lymphoma Myeloma Leuk. 2020;20(8):519-25.