Post-ASH amyloidosis highlights: the ANDROMEDA trial, risk stratification, value of MRD, & more!
Feb 21, 2025
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In this insightful discussion, Vaishali Sanchorawala, a leading expert in amyloidosis from Boston University, and Ashutosh Wechalekar, a prominent hematologist from University College London, delve into the cutting-edge findings presented at the recent ASH meeting. They highlight breakthrough results from the ANDROMEDA trial, emphasizing the effectiveness of daratumumab VCD for AL amyloidosis treatment. The duo also explores advancements in risk stratification and the promising role of measurable residual disease and CAR T-cell therapy in enhancing patient care.
The ANDROMEDA trial has established daratumumab combined with VCD as a superior new standard of care for AL amyloidosis, showing improved patient response and survival rates.
Updated risk stratification methods for light-chain amyloidosis now integrate echocardiographic parameters, enhancing the identification of high-risk patients for tailored treatment strategies.
Deep dives
Advancements in AL Amyloidosis Treatment
The Andromeda trial has marked a significant breakthrough in the treatment of AL amyloidosis with the introduction of daratumumab combined with VCD (DARA-VCD) as a new standard of care. This trial demonstrated that 59% of patients treated with DARA-VCD achieved complete hematologic response compared to only 19% of those receiving VCD alone, indicating a much higher efficacy. Furthermore, the findings indicated improved overall survival and reduced organ deterioration, underscoring the treatment's effectiveness over traditional methods. The results from five years of follow-up suggest that this approach is set to replace autologous stem cell transplant, proving to be a well-tolerated option that enhances patient outcomes.
Refining Risk Stratification in AL Amyloidosis
Recent insights into risk stratification for patients with light-chain amyloidosis reveal the need for updated assessment methods to better identify high-risk individuals. Traditional staging based on NT-proBNP and Troponin levels has been updated to incorporate echocardiographic parameters, particularly global longitudinal strain, which serves as a key prognostic indicator. The findings indicate that integrating this new parameter can more accurately define ultra-poor risk groups, resulting in median survival estimates that highlight the urgent need for tailored treatment strategies. This approach aims to refine clinical trials and enhance the identification of patients who might benefit from more aggressive interventions.
The Potential of CAR-T Therapy and Novel Treatments
The exploration of CAR-T cell therapy in the context of amyloidosis shows promising results, particularly with a new BCMA-targeted CAR-T developed by an Israeli research group. Preliminary data indicates that this therapy can be safely administered to patients with advanced disease, yielding deep responses while maintaining tolerability. Additionally, advancements in macrophage engineering to directly target amyloid deposits could revolutionize treatment, complementing existing monoclonal antibodies that aid in amyloid clearance. These developments reflect a significant shift toward innovative approaches in managing amyloidosis, with the potential for prolonged response durations and improved patient outcomes.
Today’s podcast features a discussion with experts Vaishali Sanchorawala, MD, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, and Ashutosh Wechalekar, MBBS, MD, FRCP, FRCPath, DM, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK, from the 66th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition. They share their key highlights in amyloidosis from the meeting, including updates from the ANDROMEDA trial (NCT03201965), the risk stratification of patients with light chain (AL) amyloidosis, the value of measurable residual disease (MRD), and potential advances with CAR T-cell therapy in this disease setting.