TY - JOUR
T1 - Immunoglobulin light chain variable (V) region genes influence clinical presentation and outcome in light chain-associated amyloidosis (AL)
AU - Abraham, Roshini S.
AU - Geyer, Susan M.
AU - Price-Troska, Tammy L.
AU - Allmer, Cristine
AU - Kyle, Robert A.
AU - Gertz, Morie A.
AU - Fonseca, Rafael
PY - 2003/5/15
Y1 - 2003/5/15
N2 - Light chain-associated amyloidosis (AL) is a plasma cell dyscrasia in which the secreted monoclonal immunoglobulin (Ig) light chains form amyloid fibrils. There is considerable heterogeneity in clinical presentation, and prognosis of the disease relates to the severity of organ dysfunction induced by amyloid deposits. The mechanisms by which the amyloid fibrils are deposited as well as the predilection for specific organ sites have not been clearly elucidated. This study characterizes the repertoire of immunoglobulin light chain variable genes used by the clonal B cell in AL amyloid patients, and the association of light chain variable region (VL) genes with clinical presentation and outcome is assessed in 58 (32 λ and 26 κ) patients. A preferential use of VL germline genes was noted for both AL κ and λ patients. There was a significant correlation between the use of the Vλ VI germline donor, 6a, and renal involvement as well as the Vλ III gene, 3r, with soft-tissue AL. The use of a biased VL gene repertoire also correlated with clinical outcome, revealing important trends for predicting prognosis. The use of Vλ II germline genes was associated with cardiac amyloidosis and affected survival adversely. The presence of multiple myeloma also correlated with a poor prognosis. The presence of renal disease, on the other hand, was associated with improved survival. Therefore, identification of the clonal VL gene in AL has important implications in determining clinical outcome.
AB - Light chain-associated amyloidosis (AL) is a plasma cell dyscrasia in which the secreted monoclonal immunoglobulin (Ig) light chains form amyloid fibrils. There is considerable heterogeneity in clinical presentation, and prognosis of the disease relates to the severity of organ dysfunction induced by amyloid deposits. The mechanisms by which the amyloid fibrils are deposited as well as the predilection for specific organ sites have not been clearly elucidated. This study characterizes the repertoire of immunoglobulin light chain variable genes used by the clonal B cell in AL amyloid patients, and the association of light chain variable region (VL) genes with clinical presentation and outcome is assessed in 58 (32 λ and 26 κ) patients. A preferential use of VL germline genes was noted for both AL κ and λ patients. There was a significant correlation between the use of the Vλ VI germline donor, 6a, and renal involvement as well as the Vλ III gene, 3r, with soft-tissue AL. The use of a biased VL gene repertoire also correlated with clinical outcome, revealing important trends for predicting prognosis. The use of Vλ II germline genes was associated with cardiac amyloidosis and affected survival adversely. The presence of multiple myeloma also correlated with a poor prognosis. The presence of renal disease, on the other hand, was associated with improved survival. Therefore, identification of the clonal VL gene in AL has important implications in determining clinical outcome.
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U2 - 10.1182/blood-2002-09-2707
DO - 10.1182/blood-2002-09-2707
M3 - Article
C2 - 12515719
AN - SCOPUS:0038264427
SN - 0006-4971
VL - 101
SP - 3801
EP - 3808
JO - Blood
JF - Blood
IS - 10
ER -