Purpose Autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT) has been used in patients with immunoglobulin light chain (AL) amyloidosis for more than two decades. Early experience raised concerns regarding safety with high early-mortality rates. Patients and Methods We report 20 years of experience with ASCT for AL amyloidosis at the Mayo Clinic Rochester. In all, 672 consecutive patients receiving ASCT for AL amyloidosis were divided into three cohorts on the basis of date of transplantation (cohort 1, 1996-2002 [n = 124]; cohort 2, 2003-2009 [n = 302]; and cohort 3, 2010-2016 [n = 246]). Results The median age for the entire cohort was 59 years, with patients in cohort 3 being slightly older than those in the other two cohorts (60 v 58 v 54 years for cohorts 3, 2, and 1, respectively; P < .001). Fewer patients in cohort 3 had more than two organs involved (9% v 18% v 19% for cohorts 3, 2, and 1, respectively; P < .001). More patients received pretransplantation therapy in cohort 3 compared with earlier time periods (49% v 38% v 42% for cohorts 3, 2, and 1, respectively; P = .02). Hematologic response was higher in cohort 3 (84% v 79% v 69% for cohorts 3, 2, and 1, respectively; P = .002). Median overall survival for the entire cohort was 122 months and improved over time (not reached v 120 months v 75 months for cohorts 3, 2, and 1, respectively; P < .001). Treatment-related mortality declined over time (2.4% v 8.6% v 14.5% for cohorts 3, 2, and 1, respectively; P < .001). On multivariable analysis, conditioning dose, Mayo stage 2012, and hematologic response were independent predictors of survival. Conclusion ASCT is a highly effective therapy for AL amyloidosis. The improved survival and markedly reduced treatment-related mortality in eligible patients indicate that this will remain an important first-line option even in the era of treatment approaches that use novel agents.

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We evaluated the impact of light chain type, lambda (λ) or kappa (κ), on disease features and outcomes in patients with immunoglobulin light chain (AL) amyloidosis receiving stem cell transplant at the Mayo Clinic between October 2002 and August 2016. Patients with λ AL amyloidosis had higher rates of renal and neurological involvement (λ 69% vs κ 57%, = .02 and λ 16% vs κ 9%, = .03, respectively). Patients with κ AL amyloidosis had more hepatic involvement (λ 7% vs κ 18%, = .0003). Complete response rate was 43% for both groups and overall response rates were similar (λ 85% vs κ 91%, = .12). Patients with κ light chain amyloidosis had better progression-free and overall survival (PFS: λ 74 months vs κ 101 months, = .0064 and OS: λ 121 months vs κ not reached, = .003). Mayo stage 2004 was more predictive of survival in the λ cohort (median OS of 143 months stage I vs 77 months stage II vs 33 months stage III, < .0001) than in the κ cohort (median OS not reached for stage I and II and 102 months for stage III, = .044). Conditioning dose predicted survival in the λ cohort only (median OS 149 months for melphalan 200 mg/m vs 50 months for melphalan <200 mg/m, < .0001; median OS κ not reached for melphalan 200 mg/m or <200 mg/m, = .38). On multivariate analysis, light chain type remained an independent predictor of survival. Light chain type predicts organ involvement and survival in patients with AL amyloidosis receiving stem cell transplant.

Patients with nonresectable metastatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) experience symptoms of hormone hypersecretion including diarrhea, flushing, and bronchoconstriction, which can interfere with quality of life [Anthony and Vinik (2011) Pancreas, 40:987]. Treatment with a long-acting release formulation of octreotide, a somatostatin analog, can help to alleviate these symptoms. Although high doses of octreotide are often required for adequate symptom control, the relationship between octreotide dose escalation and symptom control in the NET context is not well quantified in the literature. A retrospective chart review was conducted of nonresectable metastatic NET patients who received a dose greater than 30 mg intramuscular octreotide long-acting formulation (O-LAR) at any time between January 2005 and December 2011 at the British Columbia Cancer Agency (BCCA). The association between dose escalation of O-LAR, chromogranin A (CGA), 24-h urine 5-hydoxyindoacetate (5-HIAA), symptom control, and radiological progression was explored. Dose escalation of O-LAR was associated with improved symptom control in NET patients who were refractory to the standard dose levels. Reduction of serum CGA & 5-HIAA levels by at least 10% was observed in 31% and 23% respectively. Retrospective review of imaging did not document any reductions in tumor volume. Higher doses of O-LAR are associated with improved symptom control in NET patients. The variability in tumor marker levels in response to O-LAR dose escalation may indicate that tumor marker levels may not be an accurate assessment of therapeutic efficacy.