1,721,576 research outputs found

    Determining the significance of MGUS

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    In this issue of Blood, Turesson et al study the risk of progression of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) to lymphoplasmacellular and myeloid malignancies in a large population, validating current risk factors and adding immunoparesis as a predictor of progression

    Serum free light chain analysis in the diagnosis and management of multiple myeloma and related conditions

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    The serum free light chain (FLC) assay is an important tool in the management of patients with monoclonal gammopathies. MEDLINE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews from January 2000 through July 2013, were used as data sources. The available evidence is rather weak. For screening of multiple myeloma and related conditions, the association of the FLC assay with the traditional serum tests avoids urine study. Screening for immunoglobulin light-chain (AL) amyloidosis or other rare syndromes requires the urine examination. FLC measurement is used in the assessment of the risk of progression of precursor diseases to overt myeloma, and for risk stratification in solitary plasmacytoma, multiple myeloma and AL amyloidosis. In patients with oligosecretory myeloma and AL amyloidosis, the quantification of FLC is essential for monitoring and categorization of response to therapy. Further studies with improved design are warranted to strengthen the available evidence

    An overview of drugs currently under investigation for the treatment of transthyretin-related hereditary amyloidosis

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    Transthyretin (TTR)-related hereditary amyloidosis is an adult-onset, dominantly inherited, systemic neurodegenerative disease endemic in some populations. Stabilization of the native structure of TTR by small-molecule ligands has recently proved effective in slowing neurological progression. Two drugs, tafamidis and diflunisal, are now available for most patients, particularly in the early stage of the disease. However, this disorder remains life threatening with several unmet needs. There are great expectations for a number of novel agents undergoing investigation.|The authors review the current investigational drugs for the treatment of TTR amyloidosis according to the different steps of the fibrillogenesis process they target. Innovative approaches include suppression of TTR secretion, prevention of TTR misfolding by stronger stabilizers identified through structure-based design and high-throughput screening methodologies as well as the redirection of pathogenic aggregates toward nontoxic species and reabsorption of deposits through amyloid disrupters and immunotherapy.|Suppression of TTR synthesis by antisense oligonucleotides and small-interfering RNA is presently one of the most promising therapeutic approaches. However, well-designed clinical trials are required to establish their safety and efficacy compared with liver transplantation, tafamidis and diflunisal. With a longer time frame, it may be possible to develop combination therapies that target multiple steps of the aggregation process that could provide the best long-life effective treatments for this devastating disease

    Aspetti clinici dell'analisi delle plasmaproteine

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    Trattato sulla biochimica e aspetti clinici dell'analisi delle proteine dei liquidi biologic
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