Also on the team are researchers who help sequence tumors to identify key molecules that fuel each patient’s disease and who then develop drugs and therapies to target only those particular molecules. Working together and across medical disciplines, this sub-specialized team develops individualized, highly targeted treatment plans.
As a National Cancer Institute (NCI)–designated comprehensive cancer center, the OSUCCC — James also offers patients access to novel therapies that may not be available anywhere else in the United States. The James leads some of the world’s most advanced, sophisticated clinical trials for amyloidosis.
Just as every person’s disease is different, so is each individual’s treatment plan. While amyloidosis is not curable, it can be highly manageable. Patients may receive one treatment or a combination of treatments, depending on the amyloid type, location and progression.
Treatments are based on the type of amyloid a patient has:
- Light chain (Primary or AL) Amyloidosis
- Chemotherapy combination drugs
- Autologous Stem Cell Transplant in eligible patients. The experts replace immature blood-forming cells in the bone marrow that have been destroyed by drugs, radiation or disease. New stem cells are infused into the patient to make healthy blood cells. This type of stem cell transplant uses a patient’s own stem cells that were saved before treatment.
- Secondary (or Chronic Inflammatory) Amyloidosis (AA Amyloidosis, Age-Related TTR Amyloidosis)
- Treating the underlying disease causing the amyloid (for example, rheumatoid arthritis, IBD, Familial Mediterranean Fever, etc.)
- Organ transplant, such as kidney and heart, in eligible patients.
- Familial (Genetic) Amyloidosis
- Stabilizers combined with new FDA-approved drugs to delay symptoms and disease progression
- Organ transplant, such as kidney and heart, combined with new drug protocols currently being studied and developed, which may delay symptoms.
The OSUCCC – James Comprehensive Amyloidosis Clinic also provides a range of supportive treatments for patients diagnosed with amyloidosis. This includes interventions and therapies tailored to each patient’s symptoms and based on location, stage of disease and organ damage.
Supportive treatments may include:
- Combination of water and medications to help balance fluid
- Dialysis in patients with kidney failure
- Medication that helps to improve blood pressure
If you have been diagnosed with amyloidosis, would like a second opinion or would like to speak with an amyloidosis specialist, please call The James Line at 800-293-5066 or 614-293-5066 to make an appointment.
If you are a health care provider and would like to find out more, refer a patient or schedule a consult, please call 614-293-3196.