A Phase II Study of Risk-Adapted Intravenous Melphalan in patients with AL Amyloidosis

Abstract

First Paragraph: Melphalan is a cornerstone of treatment for AL amyloidosis. Intravenous (IV) melphalan is used for patients suitable for autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), while oral mel- phalan and dexamethasone is standard treatment for patients unsuited for intensive therapy. IV melphalan, however, may have some advantages in non-ASCT eligible patients with AL amyloidosis, based on unpredictable oral absorption (Bo- sanquet & Gilby, 1984) and theoretical concern that gastroin- testinal involvement may further impair absorption (Sattianayagam et al, 2009).