[Rapid progression of systemic amyloidosis after high-dose corticosteroid therapy in multiple myeloma]

A number of different combination regimens including high-dose corticosteroids (HDCS) have been widely used in an attempt to achieve better results for relapsed or alkylating agent-resistant multiple myeloma (MM). A major complication of these regimens is commonly said to be infection. In addition, we have had occasion to point out that a rapid progression of systemic amyloidosis can be one of serious complications of HDCS therapy in MM. The patient, born in 1940, was diagnosed of having Bence Jones (BJ) type MM in 1987. The conventional therapy including alkylating agents and interferon-alpha induced a partial remission of 22 months' duration. After the relapse, 2 courses of vincristine, adriamycin plus high-dose dexamethasone resulted in a reduction of the excreted amount of urinary BJ proteins with symptomatic improvement. However, the following clinical features indicating systemic amyloidosis occurred in succession within 2 months after beginning the therapy: submandibular swelling, giant tongue, shoulder pad sign, carpal tunnel syndrome, low voltage on ECG and recurrent diarrhea. The biopsy specimens from the submandibular gland revealed amyloid deposition. In the present case, a rapid progression of systemic amyloidosis is supposed to be attributable to the HDCS therapy. The possible mechanism of enhancement of amyloidosis by HDCS therapy is discussed.