Amyloidosis of immunoglobulin origin: useful treatment?

Six patients are presented in whom a diagnosis of amyloidosis of immunoglobulin origin was established by light and electron microscopy of biopsy samples. Treatment with a regimen of intermittent doses of melphalan and prednisone resulted in a survival of 48-82 months in four of the patients while two patients died within three months of diagnosis, too soon for the therapy to have been effective. When compared with published series which suggest that the median survival of this condition is approximately 14 months, our results suggest that this treatment prolongs life successfully. These patients also enjoyed a greatly improved quality of life while receiving treatment.