Autologous stem cell transplantation for AL amyloidosis: adjustment of melphalan dose by factors including BNP.

High-dose melphalan with autologous stem cell transplantation (HDM/ASCT) is a promising treatment option for eligible patients with systemic immunoglobulin light chain (AL) amyloidosis. We present the results of ASCT following risk-adapted melphalan conditioning on the basis of criteria proposed by our group, including B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP). Ten patients with primary systemic AL amyloidosis treated at our institute were evaluated. A full dose of melphalan (200 mg/m(2)) was administered to patients who met all the following: performance status, 0 or 1; number of organs involved, 2 or less; serum creatinine, 1.5 mg/dL or less; EF 50 % or more and BNP 200 pg/mL or less; otherwise 140 mg/m(2). The hematologic complete response was achieved in four and organ response was seen in two patients. The median event-free survival (EFS) of all patients was 21.5 months, and median overall survival (OS) was 47.0 months. EFS and OS were significantly longer for patients who received 200 mg/m(2) of melphalan than for those who received lower dose (EFS: not reached vs. 13.9 months, P = 0.0217; OS: not reached vs. 13.8 months, P = 0.0186). No treatment-related mortality within 100 days from ASCT was observed. Evaluation of cardiac diastolic function may contribute to safer HDM/ASCT and improve outcome of AL amyloidosis.