Poor tolerance to high doses of thalidomide in patients with primary systemic amyloidosis

Treatments effective against multiple myeloma may be useful in primary systemic amyloidosis (AL). Thalidomide is active in myeloma. Results of the first 12 patients enrolled on a phase II trial of thalidomide for AL are presented. Progressive edema, cognitive difficulties, and constipation occurred...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inAmyloid Vol. 10; no. 4; pp. 257 - 261
Main Authors Dispenzieri, Angela, Lacy, Martha Q., Rajkumar, S. Vincent, Geyer, Susan M., Witzig, Thomas E., Fonseca, Rafael, Lust, John A., Greipp, Philip R., Kyle, Robert A., Gertz, Morie A.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England Informa UK Ltd 01.12.2003
Taylor & Francis
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Subjects
Adult
Aged
amyloidosis
Amyloidosis - drug therapy
Drug Tolerance
Female
Humans
Immunosuppressive Agents - administration & dosage
Male
Maximum Tolerated Dose
Middle Aged
multiple myeloma
Thalidomide
Thalidomide - administration & dosage
toxicity
Treatment Outcome
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:Treatments effective against multiple myeloma may be useful in primary systemic amyloidosis (AL). Thalidomide is active in myeloma. Results of the first 12 patients enrolled on a phase II trial of thalidomide for AL are presented. Progressive edema, cognitive difficulties, and constipation occurred in approximately 75%; dyspnea, dizziness and rash in 50%. Five developed progressive renal insufficiency. Deep venous thrombosis and syncope each occurred in two. Median time on the study was 72 days, range was 25 to 333 days. All 12 have withdrawn from the study (side-effects, 6; progression, 4; and death, 2 patients). AL patients do not tolerate high dose thalidomide.
ISSN:1350-6129
1744-2818
DOI:10.3109/13506120309041743