Treatments

Amyloidosis Treatments

The Amyloid Program at Northwestern Medicine is among the largest comprehensive amyloid programs in the United States and world. Northwestern Medicine patients have access to the latest diagnostic tests, innovative treatments and leading-edge clinical trials for the treatment of all types of amyloidosis.

The treatment of amyloidosis has dramatically improved in the last decade. This evolution is primarily due to the rapid progression and development of new drug therapies. As treatment options have improved, so has the outlook and survival associated with this disease.

Due to the various types of amyloidosis, treatment options will be unique to each patient. Treatment options, discussed between you and your doctor, are dependent on what type of amyloid protein is produced, the parts of the body affected, the wishes of the patient and more.

Treatment options may include:

• Medications to address symptoms associated with nerve damage, heart failure and/or kidney failure. The Amyloid Program at Northwestern Medicine has been actively involved in the development of several novel therapies that have recently become available to treat ATTR amyloidosis. We also have ongoing development of potentially new therapies being studied as part of clinical trials.
• Well-tolerated chemotherapy drugs to suppress cells in the bone marrow that make AL amyloid proteins
• Stem cell transplant to achieve complete remission in some patients with AL amyloidosis
• Organ transplantation that may include heart, liver, or heart and liver, which may be curative for some patients diagnosed with the hereditary form of ATTR amyloidosis