Dr. Wong on Treatment Goals in Systemic Amyloidosis

Sandy Wong, MD, an assistant professor in the Division of Hematology/Oncology at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, discusses treatment goals for patients with systemic amyloidosis.

The goals of treatment for this patient population is to improve both their quantity, and quality of life, Wong says. This can be achieved by shutting down the mechanism that is creating the amyloidogenic light chains. Oftentimes, there is a plasma cell factory, and as such, utilizing anti-plasma cell treatment can shut that factory off, Wong adds.

The hope is that by shutting down the factory that is making the amyloidogenic light chains, the process can be halted, according to Wong. Over time, the body may then be able to resorb the amyloid from the organs and improve organ function, Wong concludes.