Browsing by Autor "Morie A. Gertz"

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Autologous stem cell transplantation in multiple myeloma patients <60 vs ⩾60 years of age
(Springer Nature, 2003) Donna Reece; Christopher Bredeson; Waleska S. Pérez; Sundar Jagannath; M-J Zhang; Kenneth Ballen; Gerald J. Elfenbein; César O. Freytes; Robert Peter Gale; Morie A. Gertz
Emerging therapeutic options for Waldenström macroglobulinemia/lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma
(Taylor & Francis, 2015) Rajshekhar Chakraborty; Prashant Kapoor; Stephen M. Ansell; Morie A. Gertz
Lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma is an indolent B-cell, non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), the majority of which are characterized by production of a monoclonal immunoglobulin M (IgM) protein and are known as Waldenström macroglobulinemia. Identification of highly recurrent activating somatic mutation in MYD88 has improved our understanding of the pathogenesis of Waldenström macroglobulinemia and has therapeutic implications. Here, we review novel therapeutic agents in Waldenström macroglobulinemia/lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma, which have emerged in the past decade and discuss their comparative efficacy and safety, with emphasis on a Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor, which has been recently approved by the US FDA, specifically for Waldenström macroglobulinemia/lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma. Future research should focus on identifying targeted agents against activating mutations and long-term data for currently available novel agents should be critically evaluated, both in treatment-naïve and in relapsed/refractory settings.
Improving strategies for the diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis
(Taylor & Francis, 2015) Taxiarchis Kourelis; Morie A. Gertz
Amyloidosis refers to a group of rare but potentially fatal, protein misfolding diseases. The heart is frequently involved in the most common types, that is, immunoglobulin light chain and transthyretin amyloidosis and is the single most important predictor of patient outcomes. A major limitation in improving patient outcomes, in addition to developing novel therapeutics, is the late diagnosis of the disease. Once suspected, an organ for biopsy should be targeted and the amyloid type should be identified by mass spectrometry. An endomyocardial biopsy should be offered if cardiac involvement is in doubt. Echocardiography, MRI and nuclear imaging can provide valuable diagnostic and prognostic information and can secure the diagnosis if amyloid has been identified in an extracardiac tissue.