Diagnosing and treating paraprotein disorders like amyloidosis can be challenging because there are a variety of types which can affect different organs. The most common organs affected are the heart, kidneys, liver, nervous system and gastrointestinal tract.
Penn Medicine's Amyloidosis and Paraproteinemia Clinic provides expert diagnosis and treatment for patients with amyloidosis, monoclonal gammopathy, and paraprotein disorders. Using a multidisciplinary approach, our physicians have extensive experience treating these rare diseases, and are committed to providing outstanding, individualized patient care.
What is Paraproteinemia (Monoclonal Gammopathy)?
Paraproteinemia, also known as monoclonal gammopathy, is characterized by the presence of excessive amounts of paraproteins in the blood. Paraproteins are immunoglobulin proteins that are produced by a clone of plasma cells in the bone marrow. These proteins often cause damage to the kidneys. AL amyloidosis is one common type of paraprotein disorder.
Other types of paraprotein disorders include:
- Multiple myeloma
- Light-chain deposition disease
- Intact immunoglobulin deposition disease
Understanding Amyloidosis as a Paraprotein Disorder
Amyloidosis is a rare and potentially life-threatening disease that occurs when toxic proteins build up in the body's tissues and organs. There are more than 30 different types of these toxic proteins and they affect many different tissues and organs.
These proteins misfold into amyloid fibrils and accumulate within various organs and tissues of the body, which alters their normal functions.
Common Treatments for Paraproteinemia and Paraprotein Disorders
The treatment of amyloidosis varies depending upon the type and how the disease manifests in particular organs. Treatment options for common types of amyloidosis include:
- Chemotherapy that targets plasma cells, including high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplantation (AL amyloidosis)
- Medications to reduce inflammation (AA amyloidosis)
- Addressing organ failure through organ transplantation
- Novel treatments available through the latest clinical trials
A Multidisciplinary Approach to Care
Penn physicians have considerable expertise treating amyloidosis and paraprotein disorders. Our familiarity with these rare diseases give patients peace of mind knowing that they are in good hands. Specialists collaborate across multiple disciplines to evaluate and treat patients by creating individualized treatment plans. The program includes collaboration with:
Make an Appointment
Please call 800-789-7366 or request a callback.