TY - JOUR T1 - THerapy of primary amyloidosis with melphalan and prednisone AU - Schwartz RS, Cohen JR, Schrier SL Y1 - 1979/10/01 N1 - 10.1001/archinte.1979.03630470056018 JO - Archives of Internal Medicine SP - 1144 EP - 1147 VL - 139 IS - 10 N2 - Two patients with progressive primary amyloidosis, monoclonal serum and urinary proteins, multiple organ involvement, and nephrotic syndrome were treated with melphalan and prednisone for one year. In one patient, splenomegaly and nephrotic syndrome rapidly responded to therapy but massive hepatomegaly responded slowly, requiring 15 months' time for normalization of size. Results of liver function tests, although improved, remained abnormal, and amyloid deposits remained in the marrow. A second patient also demonstrated dramatic diminution in proteinuria and improvement in liver function abnormalities, but macroglossia persisted. These observations suggest that amyloid organ involvement may be reversible with differences in organ responsiveness to chemotherapy. An empirical trial of chemotherapy may be indicated in some patients with progressive primary amyloidosis, and therapy may need to be continued for a prolonged period of time before seeing an effect.(Arch Intern Med 139:1144-1147, 1979) SN - 0003-9926 M3 - doi: 10.1001/archinte.1979.03630470056018 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archinte.1979.03630470056018 ER -