AL Amyloidosis (Amyloidosis Antibody Light). Part 2-Epidemiology, Clinical Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment of Amyloidosis AL

Studies have shown that 10-20% of patients with multiple myeloma develop AL amyloidosis. AL amyloidosis can affect the kidney and the heart, as well as cause peripheral polyneuropathy and CNS impairment. The main diagnostic test to confirm amyloidosis is the staining of the adipose tissue from abdominal fat with Congo red, which demonstrates green birefringence when polarized light is used, or reveals nonbranching fibril structures with a diameter of 10 nm under an electron microscope. Oral melphalan and prednisone have been the leading drugs in the therapy of AL amyloidosis for 30 years. The patients qualified for megachemotherapy and stem cells transplantation had to be free from severe, burdening diseases and had to have less than three involved organs (Adv Clin Exp Med 2011, 20, 6, 771-788).