Early cardiac response is possible in stage IIIb cardiac AL amyloidosis and is associated with prolonged survival

Patients with immunoglobulin light chain (AL) amyloidosis and stage IIIb cardiac involvement have a dismal outcome despite the introduction of novel treatments. However, a rapid hematologic response translates in better survival. We evaluated the impact of early cardiac response and its depth on outcome in 249 patients with newly diagnosed stage IIIb cardiac AL amyloidosis. Hematologic and cardiac responses were evaluated by intent to treat. After a median follow-up of 52 months, 219 (84%) patients died, and median survival was 4.2 months. The 30- and 90-day hematologic response rates were 22% (at least very good partial response [VGPR] in 9%) and 24% (at least VGPR in 15%), respectively. Early hematologic response resulted in better survival. At 90 days, 21 (8%) patients achieved a cardiac response (cardiac very good partial response [cardiac VGPR] in 12 cases and cardiac partial response [cardiac PR] in 9). At the 90-day landmark analysis, cardiac response resulted in longer survival (median, 54 months), also in those patients who have achieved at least VGPR (median, 62 vs 26 months, P =.011). Patients with cardiac VGPR had a longer survival than those with cardiac PR (median, 92 vs 24 months; P =.027), whereas patients without cardiac response had a poor survival (median, 6 months). A baseline difference of involved/uninvolved free light chains > 50 mg/L (odds ratio [OR], 0.21, P =.024) and a bone marrow plasma cell infiltrate > 10% (OR, 0.23, P =.040) were negative predictors of 90-day cardiac response. Early cardiac responses are rare but possible in stage IIIb AL amyloidosis and translate to longer survival.