Opinion
Video
A panel of expert oncologists discuss the importance of cardiac staging for patients with AL amyloidosis and its role in guiding overall treatment.
This is a video synopsis/summary of a Peer Exchange involving Heather Landau, MD; Vaishali Sanchorawala, MD; and Jeffrey Zonder, MD.
The conversation emphasizes the critical importance of promptly initiating treatment in patients with light chain (AL) amyloidosis with cardiac involvement, highlighting the significance of cardiac staging based on biomarkers like NT-proBNP and high-sensitivity troponin. The panelists discuss the preference for the European modification of the 3-stage Mayo staging system, focusing on identifying patients at the highest cardiac risk. While acknowledging the utility of the Mayo 2004 staging system, the speakers underscore the evolving landscape with effective treatments, suggesting that the uninvolved free light chains (dFLC) biomarker may be less essential in the current era.
The discussion delves into the unmet medical need within cardiac amyloidosis, emphasizing the challenge of identifying and intervening in patients with stage 2 and 3 cardiac involvement. The urgency of recognizing and addressing these patients before their heart involvement reaches a critical point is emphasized, highlighting the potential for significant improvements in upfront risk, which ultimately impacts survival rates.
Video synopsis is AI-generated and reviewed by OncLive® editorial staff.