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Xu J, Zhou X, Wang Y, Liu W, Shan Y, Zhang D, Lv H, Zhao D, Dai T, Zhao Y, Li W, Liu F, Yan C. Skeletal muscle involvement in systemic amyloidosis is often overlooked. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2024; 50:e12996. [PMID: 38982616 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
AIM Systemic amyloidosis is a condition in which misfolded amyloid fibrils are deposited within tissues. Amyloid myopathy is a rare manifestation of systemic amyloidosis. However, whether skeletal muscle involvement is underestimated and whether such deposition guarantees clinical and pathological myopathic features remain to be investigated. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed patients with systemic amyloidosis, in whom skeletal muscle biopsies were performed at our centre between January 2018 and June 2023. In total, 28 patients with suspected systemic amyloidosis were included. Among these, 21 presented with cardiomyopathy but lacked myopathic symptoms. The clinical and pathological data of these patients were further analysed. The amyloid type was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Twenty-eight patients with suspected systemic amyloidosis underwent muscle biopsy. Amyloid deposition in the skeletal muscle was confirmed in 24 patients, including 22 with light-chain amyloidosis (AL) and two with transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR). Among the 24 patients, seven presented with muscle weakness and decreased muscle strength (Group 1, symptomatic myopathy), whereas the remaining 17 exhibited normal muscle strength (Group 2, asymptomatic myopathy). Group 1 included four patients with AL-λ, one with AL-κ and two with ATTR. Group 2 included 15 patients with AL-λ and two patients with AL-κ. In Group 1, six patients exhibited neuropathy, whereas only one patient in Group 2 presented with subclinical neuropathy on nerve conduction studies. Amyloid deposition in the interstitium was the most obvious change, observed in all 24 patients. Neuropathic changes, including denervation atrophy and muscle fibre grouping, were also common. Except for type 2 fibre atrophy, the other myopathic changes were mild and nonspecific. No sarcolemmal disruption was observed. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed marked positivity for MAC and MHC1 expression in the regions with amyloid deposits. Clinicopathological analysis revealed no significant differences in the extent of muscular amyloid deposition between the two groups. Nevertheless, patients in Group 1 displayed more pronounced neurogenic atrophy on skeletal muscle biopsies. CONCLUSIONS Our study indicates that amyloid deposition in skeletal muscle is commonly observed but rarely causes symptomatic myopathy in systemic amyloidosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingwen Xu
- Research Institute of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xiaoyu Zhou
- Research Institute of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yingxin Wang
- Research Institute of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Wenzhu Liu
- Research Institute of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yi Shan
- Research Institute of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Dong Zhang
- Research Institute of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Huixia Lv
- National Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory, The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Dandan Zhao
- Research Institute of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Tingjun Dai
- Research Institute of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yuying Zhao
- Research Institute of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Wei Li
- Research Institute of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Fuchen Liu
- Research Institute of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Chuanzhu Yan
- Research Institute of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
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2
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Pernice HF, Knorz AL, Wetzel PJ, Herrmann C, Muratovic H, Rieber F, Asaad E, Fiß G, Barzen G, Blüthner E, Knebel F, Spethmann S, Messroghli D, Heidecker B, Brand A, Wetz C, Tschöpe C, Hahn K. Neurological affection and serum neurofilament light chain in wild type transthyretin amyloidosis. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10111. [PMID: 38698025 PMCID: PMC11066119 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60025-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
In contrast to inherited transthyretin amyloidosis (A-ATTRv), neuropathy is not a classic leading symptom of wild type transthyretin amyloidosis (A-ATTRwt). However, neurological symptoms are increasingly relevant in A-ATTRwt as well. To better understand the role of neurological symptoms in A-ATTRwt, A-ATTRwt patients were prospectively characterized at Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB) between 2018 and 2023 using detailed neurological examination, quality of life questionnaires, and analysis of age- and BMI-adapted serum neurofilament light chain (NFL) levels. 16 out of 73 (21.9%) patients presented with a severe neuropathy which we defined by a Neuropathy Impairment Score (NIS) of 20 or more. In this group, quality of life was reduced, peripheral neuropathy was more severe, and spinal stenosis and joint replacements were frequent. Age- and BMI matched serum NFL levels were markedly elevated in patients with a NIS ≥ 20. We therefore conclude that highly abnormal values in neuropathy scores such as the NIS occur in A-ATTRwt, and have an important impact on quality of life. Both peripheral neuropathy and spinal canal stenosis are likely contributors. Serum NFL may serve as a biomarker for neurological affection in patients with A-ATTRwt. It will be important to consider neurological aspects of A-ATTRwt for diagnosis, clinical follow-up, and future treatment development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena F Pernice
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health at Charité (BIH)-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Adrian L Knorz
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Paul J Wetzel
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Carolin Herrmann
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Biometry and Clinical Epidemiology, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Harisa Muratovic
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Finn Rieber
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Eleonora Asaad
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gunnar Fiß
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gina Barzen
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité, Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Blüthner
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Medical Clinic m.S. Hepatology and Gastroenterology CCM/CVK, Berlin, Germany
| | - Fabian Knebel
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité, Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Klinik für Innere Medizin mit Schwerpunkt Kardiologie, Sana Klinikum Lichtenberg, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sebastian Spethmann
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité, Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniel Messroghli
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité, Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bettina Heidecker
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité, Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health at Charité (BIH)-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anna Brand
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité, Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christoph Wetz
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203, Berlin, Germany
| | - Carsten Tschöpe
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité, Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health at Charité (BIH)-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Katrin Hahn
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
- Berlin Institute of Health at Charité (BIH)-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
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3
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Živković SA, Lacomis D, Soman P. Neuromuscular manifestations of wild type transthyretin amyloidosis: a review and single center's experience. Front Cardiovasc Med 2024; 11:1345608. [PMID: 38410247 PMCID: PMC10894993 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2024.1345608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR) is a condition defined by accumulation of insoluble transthyretin amyloid deposits in multiple organs, especially in the peripheral nerve and heart muscle. ATTR may result from transthyretin mutations (variant ATTR or ATTRv) or may occur with normal transthyretin genotype (wild type ATTR or ATTRwt). ATTRwt was previously known as "senile amyloidosis" and causes cardiomyopathy which may lead to heart failure with a preserved ejection fraction, affecting predominantly elderly men. The exact prevalence of ATTRwt in the general population remains unclear, but its occurrence may be underestimated in women. It was observed that a proportion of ATTRwt cardiomyopathy patients may develop slowly progressing neuropathy that is milder and indolent in comparison with typical progressive neuropathy associated with ATTRv. Furthermore, the causality of neuropathy is often uncertain in patients with ATTRwt. Neuropathy symptoms, including distal sensory loss, unsteadiness and (neuropathic) pain are common in elderly patients with multiple potential causes, and as ATTRwt patients are typically older, relatively high prevalence of peripheral neuropathy is expected with frequent comorbidities. Relatively high prevalence of ATTRwt in elderly population contrasts few documented cases of neuropathy caused by ATTRwt, and there is uncertainty whether ATTRwt neuropathy is an infrequent occurrence or a significant manifestation of multisystemic ATTRwt. We review neurologic and musculoskeletal manifestations of ATTRwt and present clinical features of a single center cohort of ATTRwt patients with suspected peripheral neuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sasha A Živković
- Department of Neurology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Cardiac Amyloidosis Center, UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - David Lacomis
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Department of Pathology (Neuropathology), University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Prem Soman
- Cardiac Amyloidosis Center, UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Division of Cardiology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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Poli L, Labella B, Cotti Piccinelli S, Caria F, Risi B, Damioli S, Padovani A, Filosto M. Hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis: a comprehensive review with a focus on peripheral neuropathy. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1242815. [PMID: 37869146 PMCID: PMC10585157 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1242815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyloidoses represent a group of diseases characterized by the pathological accumulation in the extracellular area of insoluble misfolded protein material called "amyloid". The damage to the tissue organization and the direct toxicity of the amyloidogenic substrates induce progressive dysfunctions in the organs involved. They are usually multisystem diseases involving several vital organs, such as the peripheral nerves, heart, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, liver, skin, and eyes. Transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR) is related to abnormalities of transthyretin (TTR), a protein that acts as a transporter of thyroxine and retinol and is produced predominantly in the liver. ATTR is classified as hereditary (ATTRv) and wild type (ATTRwt). ATTRv is a severe systemic disease of adults caused by mutations in the TTR gene and transmitted in an autosomal dominant manner with incomplete penetrance. Some pathogenic variants in TTR are preferentially associated with a neurological phenotype (progressive peripheral sensorimotor polyneuropathy); others are more frequently associated with restrictive heart failure. However, many mutations express a mixed phenotype with neurological and cardiological involvement. ATTRv is now a treatable disease. A timely and definite diagnosis is essential in view of the availability of effective therapies that have revolutionized the management of affected patients. The purpose of this review is to familiarize the clinician with the disease and with the correct diagnostic pathways in order to obtain an early diagnosis and, consequently, the possibility of an adequate treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loris Poli
- Unit of Neurology, Azienda Socio-Sanitaria Territoriale Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - Beatrice Labella
- Unit of Neurology, Azienda Socio-Sanitaria Territoriale Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Stefano Cotti Piccinelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
- NeMO-Brescia Clinical Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, Brescia, Italy
| | - Filomena Caria
- NeMO-Brescia Clinical Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, Brescia, Italy
| | - Barbara Risi
- NeMO-Brescia Clinical Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, Brescia, Italy
| | - Simona Damioli
- NeMO-Brescia Clinical Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, Brescia, Italy
| | - Alessandro Padovani
- Unit of Neurology, Azienda Socio-Sanitaria Territoriale Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Filosto
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
- NeMO-Brescia Clinical Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, Brescia, Italy
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Ungericht M, Wanschitz J, Kroiss AS, Röcken C, Schuetz T, Messner M, Zaruba MM, Loescher WN, Poelzl G. Amyloid myopathy: expanding the clinical spectrum of transthyretin amyloidosis-case report and literature review. J Nucl Cardiol 2023; 30:1420-1426. [PMID: 35581484 PMCID: PMC10371878 DOI: 10.1007/s12350-022-02990-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
We identified two patients with transthyretin (ATTR) amyloid myopathy (one ATTR variant amyloidosis, ATTRv; one wild-type ATTR amyloidosis, ATTRwt). Myopathy was the initial manifestation in ATTRwt, whereas it followed neuropathy and cardiomyopathy in ATTRv. The ATTRwt patient showed muscular tracer uptake on 99mTc-DPD planar scintigraphy at the time of initial diagnosis, consistent with ATTR amyloid myopathy. The ATTRv patient underwent heart transplantation because of progressive heart failure. Within the next two years, progressive myopathic symptoms and extracardiac tracer uptake on 99mTc-DPD planar scintigraphy were documented, attributable to ATTR amyloid myopathy. Interstitial amyloid deposits were confirmed by muscle biopsy in both patients, with a particularly high amyloid burden in the adipose tissue. This case report highlights the frequent concomitant presence of cardiac ATTR amyloidosis and ATTR amyloid myopathy. ATTR amyloid myopathy may precede cardiac manifestation in ATTRwt or occur after heart transplantation in ATTRv. Due to the high diagnostic accuracy of 99mTc-DPD scintigraphy for detecting ATTR amyloid myopathy and the emergence of novel therapeutics, it is important to increase the awareness of its presence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Ungericht
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology & Angiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstraße 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Julia Wanschitz
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Alexander S Kroiss
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Christoph Röcken
- Department of Pathology, Christian-Albrechts-University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Thomas Schuetz
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology & Angiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstraße 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Moritz Messner
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology & Angiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstraße 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Marc-Michael Zaruba
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology & Angiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstraße 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Wolfgang N Loescher
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gerhard Poelzl
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology & Angiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstraße 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
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6
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Park YJ, Lee J, Kim D, Choi JO, Kim SJ, Kim K, Choi JY. Direct comparison of diagnostic and clinical values between Tc-99 m DPD and Tc-99 m PYP scintigraphy in patients with cardiac amyloidosis. BMC Med Imaging 2023; 23:92. [PMID: 37460984 PMCID: PMC10353145 DOI: 10.1186/s12880-023-01054-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Technetium-99 m 3,3-diphosphono-1,2-propanodicarboxylic acid (DPD) and technetium-99 m sodium pyrophosphate (PYP) are the two most commonly used radiotracers for cardiac amyloidosis (CA), but no studies have directly compared them. Therefore, in this study, we directly compared the diagnostic and clinical utility of DPD and PYP scintigraphy in patients with CA. METHODS Ten patients with CA were enrolled. Eight clinical variables and 12 scintigraphic parameters were used. Clinical variables were age, sex, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and the results of electromyography (EMG), a sensory test, electrocardiogram, and echocardiography (EchoCG). Four heart retention ratios (heart/whole-body profile, heart/pelvis, heart/skull, and heart/contralateral lung) were calculated from the DPD and PYP scans and two visual scoring systems (Perugini and Dorbala systems) were used. Comparative analyses were performed between radiotracers and between visual scoring systems using clinical variables and scintigraphic parameters. RESULTS Twenty DPD parameters and nine PYP parameters had significant associations with age, eGFR, NT-proBNP, EchoCG, and EMG. DPD parameters had more frequent significant associations with clinical variables than PYP parameters. Compared to visual scores in the DPD scan, the proportion of patients with higher visual scores in the PYP scan was relatively greater than those with lower visual scores, and there were more patients with a visual score of 2 or higher in PYP scans than DPD scans. CONCLUSIONS DPD scintigraphy may reflect the disease severity of CA better than PYP scintigraphy, whereas PYP scintigraphy may be a more sensitive imaging modality for identifying CA involvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Jin Park
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 81, Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06351, Republic of Korea
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Ajou University Medical Center, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, 16499, Republic of Korea
| | - Joohee Lee
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, CHA Ilsan Medical Center, CHA University, Goyang, 10414, Republic of Korea
| | - Darae Kim
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Heart Vascular Stroke Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, 06351, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Oh Choi
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Heart Vascular Stroke Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, 06351, Republic of Korea
| | - Seok Jin Kim
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, 06351, Republic of Korea
| | - Kihyun Kim
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, 06351, Republic of Korea
| | - Joon Young Choi
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 81, Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06351, Republic of Korea.
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Pinto MV, França MC, Gonçalves MVM, Machado-Costa MC, Freitas MRGD, Gondim FDAA, Marrone CD, Martinez ARM, Moreira CL, Nascimento OJM, Covaleski APP, Oliveira ASBD, Pupe CCB, Rodrigues MMJ, Rotta FT, Scola RH, Marques W, Waddington-Cruz M. Brazilian consensus for diagnosis, management and treatment of hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis with peripheral neuropathy: second edition. ARQUIVOS DE NEURO-PSIQUIATRIA 2023; 81:308-321. [PMID: 37059440 PMCID: PMC10104762 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1764412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
Hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis with peripheral neuropathy (ATTRv-PN) is an autosomal dominant inherited sensorimotor and autonomic polyneuropathy with over 130 pathogenic variants identified in the TTR gene. Hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis with peripheral neuropathy is a disabling, progressive and life-threatening genetic condition that leads to death in ∼ 10 years if untreated. The prospects for ATTRv-PN have changed in the last decades, as it has become a treatable neuropathy. In addition to liver transplantation, initiated in 1990, there are now at least 3 drugs approved in many countries, including Brazil, and many more are being developed. The first Brazilian consensus on ATTRv-PN was held in the city of Fortaleza, Brazil, in June 2017. Given the new advances in the area over the last 5 years, the Peripheral Neuropathy Scientific Department of the Brazilian Academy of Neurology organized a second edition of the consensus. Each panelist was responsible for reviewing the literature and updating a section of the previous paper. Thereafter, the 18 panelists got together virtually after careful review of the draft, discussed each section of the text, and reached a consensus for the final version of the manuscript.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus Vinicius Pinto
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Centro de Estudos em Paramiloidose Antônio Rodrigues de Mello, Rio de Janeiro RJ, Brazil
- Mayo Clinic, Department of Neurology, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
| | | | | | | | - Marcos Raimundo Gomes de Freitas
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Centro de Estudos em Paramiloidose Antônio Rodrigues de Mello, Rio de Janeiro RJ, Brazil
| | | | - Carlo Domenico Marrone
- Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Hospital São Lucas, Clínica Marrone e Ambulatório de Doenças Neuromusculare, Porto Alegre RS, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Francisco Tellechea Rotta
- Hospital Moinhos de Vento, Porto Alegre RS, Brazil
- Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre RS, Brazil
| | | | - Wilson Marques
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto SP, Brazil
| | - Márcia Waddington-Cruz
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Centro de Estudos em Paramiloidose Antônio Rodrigues de Mello, Rio de Janeiro RJ, Brazil
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8
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Wlodarski R, Seibert K, Issa NP, O'Brien-Penney B, Soliven B, Sarswat N, Appelbaum D, Rezania K. 99m Technetium-pyrophosphate bone scan: A potential biomarker for the burden of transthyretin amyloidosis in skeletal muscle: A preliminary study. Muscle Nerve 2023; 67:111-116. [PMID: 36222831 PMCID: PMC10092886 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION/AIMS Transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR) proteins can infiltrate skeletal muscle and infrequently cause a myopathy. 99m Technetium-pyrophosphate (99m Tc-PYP) is a validated biomarker for cardiac involvement in variant and wild-type ATTR (ATTRv and ATTRwt, respectively). The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that 99m Tc-PYP is a biomarker for muscle burden of ATTR. METHODS Radioisotope uptake in the deltoid muscles of patients with ATTR was compared to uptake in control subjects without amyloidosis in a retrospective study. 99m Tc-PYP scans were evaluated in 11 patients with ATTR (7 ATTRv, 4 ATTRwt) and 14 control subjects. Mean count (MC) values were measured in circular regions of interest (ROIs) 2.5-3.8 cm2 in area. Tracer uptake was quantified in the heart, contralateral chest (CC), and deltoid muscles. RESULTS Tracer uptake was significantly higher over the deltoids and heart but not the CC, in patients with ATTR than in control subjects. MC values were 120.1 ± 43.7 (mean ± SD) in ATTR patients and 78.9 ± 20.4 in control subjects over the heart (p = 0.005), 73.3± 21.0 and 63.5 ± 14.4 over CC (p = 0.09), and 37.0 ± 11.7 and 26.0 ± 7.1 averaged over both deltoid muscles (p = 0.014). DISCUSSION 99m Tc-PYP is a potential biomarker for ATTR amyloid burden in skeletal muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Wlodarski
- Department of Neurology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Kaitlin Seibert
- Department of Neurology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Naoum P Issa
- Department of Neurology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | | | - Betty Soliven
- Department of Neurology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Nitasha Sarswat
- Department of Medicine, Section of Cardiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Daniel Appelbaum
- Department of Radiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Kourosh Rezania
- Department of Neurology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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9
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Pinto MV, Liewluck T. Skeletal muscle 99mTechnetium-pyrophosphate scan: More questions than answers. Muscle Nerve 2023; 67:98-100. [PMID: 36382940 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marcus V Pinto
- Division of Neuromuscular Medicine, Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Teerin Liewluck
- Division of Neuromuscular Medicine, Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
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10
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Vegezzi E, Cortese A, Bergsland N, Mussinelli R, Paoletti M, Solazzo F, Currò R, Ascagni L, Callegari I, Quartesan I, Lozza A, Deligianni X, Santini F, Marchioni E, Cosentino G, Alfonsi E, Tassorelli C, Bastianello S, Merlini G, Palladini G, Obici L, Pichiecchio A. Muscle quantitative MRI as a novel biomarker in hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis with polyneuropathy: a cross-sectional study. J Neurol 2023; 270:328-339. [PMID: 36064814 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-022-11336-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The development of reproducible and sensitive outcome measures has been challenging in hereditary transthyretin (ATTRv) amyloidosis. Recently, quantification of intramuscular fat by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has proven as a sensitive marker in patients with other genetic neuropathies. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of muscle quantitative MRI (qMRI) as an outcome measure in ATTRv. METHODS Calf- and thigh-centered multi-echo T2-weighted spin-echo and gradient-echo sequences were obtained in patients with ATTRv amyloidosis with polyneuropathy (n = 24) and healthy controls (n = 12). Water T2 (wT2) and fat fraction (FF) were calculated. Neurological assessment was performed in all ATTRv subjects. Quantitative MRI parameters were correlated with clinical and neurophysiological measures of disease severity. RESULTS Quantitative imaging revealed significantly higher FF in lower limb muscles in patients with ATTRv amyloidosis compared to controls. In addition, wT2 was significantly higher in ATTRv patients. There was prominent involvement of the posterior compartment of the thighs. Noticeably, FF and wT2 did not exhibit a length-dependent pattern in ATTRv patients. MRI biomarkers correlated with previously validated clinical outcome measures, Polyneuropathy Disability scoring system, Neuropathy Impairment Score (NIS) and NIS-lower limb, and neurophysiological parameters of axonal damage regardless of age, sex, treatment and TTR mutation. CONCLUSIONS Muscle qMRI revealed significant difference between ATTRv and healthy controls. MRI biomarkers showed high correlation with clinical and neurophysiological measures of disease severity making qMRI as a promising tool to be further investigated in longitudinal studies to assess its role at monitoring onset, progression, and therapy efficacy for future clinical trials on this treatable condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Vegezzi
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.,Neuroncology and Neuroinflammation Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Andrea Cortese
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy. .,Department of Neuromuscular Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology and The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK.
| | - Niels Bergsland
- Department of Neurology, Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA.,IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberta Mussinelli
- Amyloidosis Research and Treatment Center, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Matteo Paoletti
- Neuroradiology Department, Advanced Imaging and Radiomics Center, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Francesca Solazzo
- Specialization School in Occupational Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Riccardo Currò
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.,Department of Neuromuscular Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology and The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK
| | - Lucia Ascagni
- Neuroscience Department, Meyer Children's University Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Ilaria Callegari
- Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Hebelstrasse 20, 4031, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ilaria Quartesan
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Alessandro Lozza
- Amyloidosis Research and Treatment Center, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Xeni Deligianni
- Division of Radiological Physics, Department of Radiology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Basel Muscle MRI Group, University of Basel, Allschwil, Switzerland
| | - Francesco Santini
- Division of Radiological Physics, Department of Radiology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Basel Muscle MRI Group, University of Basel, Allschwil, Switzerland
| | - Enrico Marchioni
- Neuroncology and Neuroinflammation Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Cosentino
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.,Translational Neurophysiology Research Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Enrico Alfonsi
- Translational Neurophysiology Research Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Cristina Tassorelli
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.,Headache Science and Neurorehabilitation Center, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Stefano Bastianello
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.,Neuroradiology Department, Advanced Imaging and Radiomics Center, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Giampaolo Merlini
- Amyloidosis Research and Treatment Center, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.,Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Giovanni Palladini
- Amyloidosis Research and Treatment Center, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.,Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Laura Obici
- Amyloidosis Research and Treatment Center, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Anna Pichiecchio
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.,Neuroradiology Department, Advanced Imaging and Radiomics Center, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
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11
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Oral Therapy for the Treatment of Transthyretin-Related Amyloid Cardiomyopathy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232416145. [PMID: 36555787 PMCID: PMC9788438 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232416145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The care of systemic amyloidosis has improved dramatically due to improved awareness, accurate diagnostic tools, the development of powerful prognostic and companion biomarkers, and a continuous flow of innovative drugs, which translated into the blooming of phase 2/3 interventional studies for light chain (AL) and transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidosis. The unprecedented availability of effective drugs ignited great interest across various medical specialties, particularly among cardiologists who are now recognizing cardiac amyloidosis at an extraordinary pace. In all amyloidosis referral centers, we are observing a substantial increase in the prevalence of wild-type transthyretin (ATTRwt) cardiomyopathy, which is now becoming the most common form of cardiac amyloidosis. This review focuses on the oral drugs that have been recently introduced for the treatment of ATTR cardiac amyloidosis, for their ease of use in the clinic. They include both old repurposed drugs or fit-for-purpose designed compounds which bind and stabilize the TTR tetramer, thus reducing the formation of new amyloid fibrils, such as tafamidis, diflunisal, and acoramidis, as well as fibril disruptors which have the potential to promote the clearance of amyloid deposits, such as doxycycline. The development of novel therapies is based on the advances in the understanding of the molecular events underlying amyloid cardiomyopathy.
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12
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Taylor MS, Sidiqi H, Hare J, Kwok F, Choi B, Lee D, Baumwol J, Carroll AS, Vucic S, Neely P, Korczyk D, Thomas L, Mollee P, Stewart GJ, Gibbs SDJ. Current approaches to the diagnosis and management of amyloidosis. Intern Med J 2022; 52:2046-2067. [PMID: 36478370 DOI: 10.1111/imj.15974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Amyloidosis is a collection of diseases caused by the misfolding of proteins that aggregate into insoluble amyloid fibrils and deposit in tissues. While these fibrils may aggregate to form insignificant localised deposits, they can also accumulate in multiple organs to the extent that amyloidosis can be an immediately life-threatening disease, requiring urgent treatment. Recent advances in diagnostic techniques and therapies are dramatically changing the disease landscape and patient prognosis. Delays in diagnosis and treatment remain the greatest challenge, necessitating physician awareness of the common clinical presentations that suggest amyloidosis. The most common types are transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidosis followed by immunoglobulin light-chain (AL) amyloidosis. While systemic AL amyloidosis was previously considered a death sentence with no effective therapies, significant improvement in patient survival has occurred over the past 2 decades, driven by greater understanding of the disease process, risk-adapted adoption of myeloma therapies such as proteosome inhibitors (bortezomib) and monoclonal antibodies (daratumumab) and improved supportive care. ATTR amyloidosis is an underdiagnosed cause of heart failure. Technetium scintigraphy has made noninvasive diagnosis much easier, and ATTR is now recognised as the most common type of amyloidosis because of the increased identification of age-related ATTR. There are emerging ATTR treatments that slow disease progression, decrease patient hospitalisations and improve patient quality of life and survival. This review aims to update physicians on recent developments in amyloidosis diagnosis and management and to provide a diagnostic and treatment framework to improve the management of patients with all forms of amyloidosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark S. Taylor
- Westmead Amyloidosis Service Westmead Hospital New South Wales Sydney Australia
- Department of Immunology Liverpool Hospital New South Wales Sydney Australia
- Department of Clinical Immunology Prince of Wales Hospital New South Wales Sydney Australia
- Prince of Wales Clinical School UNSW Sydney New South Wales Sydney Australia
| | - Hasib Sidiqi
- Fiona Stanley Amyloidosis Clinic Western Australia Perth Australia
| | - James Hare
- Cardiology Unit Alfred Health Victoria Melbourne Australia
- Victorian and Tasmanian Amyloidosis Service Victoria Melbourne Australia
| | - Fiona Kwok
- Westmead Amyloidosis Service Westmead Hospital New South Wales Sydney Australia
- Westmead Clinical School University of Sydney New South Wales Sydney Australia
| | - Bo Choi
- Cardiology Unit Alfred Health Victoria Melbourne Australia
- Victorian and Tasmanian Amyloidosis Service Victoria Melbourne Australia
| | - Darren Lee
- Victorian and Tasmanian Amyloidosis Service Victoria Melbourne Australia
- Department of Renal Medicine Eastern Health Victoria Melbourne Australia
- Eastern Health Clinical School Monash University Victoria Melbourne Australia
| | - Jay Baumwol
- Fiona Stanley Amyloidosis Clinic Western Australia Perth Australia
| | - Antonia S. Carroll
- Westmead Amyloidosis Service Westmead Hospital New South Wales Sydney Australia
- Westmead Clinical School University of Sydney New South Wales Sydney Australia
- Department of Neurology St Vincent's Hospital New South Wales Darlinghurst Australia
| | - Steve Vucic
- Department of Neurology Concord Repatriation General Hospital New South Wales Sydney Australia
| | - Pat Neely
- Princess Alexandra Hospital Amyloidosis Centre Queensland Brisbane Australia
| | - Dariusz Korczyk
- Princess Alexandra Hospital Amyloidosis Centre Queensland Brisbane Australia
| | - Liza Thomas
- Westmead Amyloidosis Service Westmead Hospital New South Wales Sydney Australia
- Westmead Clinical School University of Sydney New South Wales Sydney Australia
| | - Peter Mollee
- Princess Alexandra Hospital Amyloidosis Centre Queensland Brisbane Australia
- School of Medicine University of Queensland Queensland Brisbane Australia
| | - Graeme J. Stewart
- Westmead Clinical School University of Sydney New South Wales Sydney Australia
| | - Simon D. J. Gibbs
- Victorian and Tasmanian Amyloidosis Service Victoria Melbourne Australia
- Eastern Health Clinical School Monash University Victoria Melbourne Australia
- Haematology Unit Eastern Health Victoria Melbourne Australia
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13
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Kleefeld F, Scherret E, Knebel F, Messroghli D, Heidecker B, Wetz C, Schatka I, Barzen G, Tschöpe C, Amthauer H, Hahn K. Same same, but different? The neurological presentation of wildtype transthyretin (ATTRwt) amyloidosis. Amyloid 2022; 29:92-101. [PMID: 34994254 DOI: 10.1080/13506129.2021.2014448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Both hereditary transthyretin (ATTRv) amyloidosis and wildtype transthyretin (ATTRwt) amyloidosis can be associated with neurological diseases such as carpal tunnel syndrome and polyneuropathy. While ATTRv amyloidosis has been extensively studied, to date little is known about neurological complications of ATTRwt amyloidosis. In particular, the prevalence, pattern and extent of polyneuropathy and autonomic dysfunction has not been adequately investigated in the context of ATTRwt amyloidosis. To tackle this issue, we aimed to characterise the neurological presentation of ATTRwt amyloidosis and to compare between the presentations of ATTRv and ATTRwt amyloidoses. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between November 2019 and September 2020, we included 50 patients with ATTRwt amyloidosis in this cohort study. All patients presented to the amyloidosis centre in Berlin, Germany and underwent neurological, cardiological and radiological work-up including neurological examination, laboratory testing, nerve conduction studies (NCS), echocardiography and scintigraphy. Patients were screened for symptoms of autonomic dysregulation and a subgroup of patients underwent tilt-table testing for orthostatic dysregulation. RESULTS The cohort included 46 men and 4 women; the mean age of the study participants was 80.6 (standard deviation [SD] ± 5.0) years. All patients showed signs of cardiomyopathy on echocardiography. Neurological examination revealed peripheral, symmetric and length-depended predominately sensory polyneuropathy in 74% (n = 37) of patients. Neuropathy impairment scores (NIS) ranged from 0 to 50 with an average score of 8.4 (SD ± 10.1) indicating mild to moderate impairment. 90% and 92% of patients were classified as FAP stage I and PND stage I, respectively. Unilateral or bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) was present in 70% (n = 35) and spinal stenosis was seen in 11% (n = 5) of patients. We detected a low rate of autonomic symptoms with a median COMPASS-31 total score of 18.4 points (IQR 32.4 points). Additional tilt-table testing of a subgroup of 8 patients yielded negative results for orthostatic intolerance. CONCLUSION Distal-symmetric, predominantly sensory polyneuropathy is a common neurological complication in ATTRwt amyloidosis besides carpal tunnel syndrome and spinal stenosis, further substantiating the systemic character of the disease. Compared to ATTRv amyloidosis, the severity of polyneuropathy in ATTRwt amyloidosis is milder and without relevant motor involvement. Symptoms of autonomic dysfunction were not common in this cohort. Nevertheless, ATTRwt amyloidosis is a treatable disease and should be included in the differential diagnosis of sensory polyneuropathy in the elderly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Kleefeld
- Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany.,Klinik für Neurologie mit Experimenteller Neurologie, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
| | - Elise Scherret
- Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany.,Klinik für Neurologie mit Experimenteller Neurologie, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
| | - Fabian Knebel
- Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany.,Medizinische Klinik mit Schwerpunkt Kardiologie und Angiologie, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Mitte, Germany.,Klinik für Innere Medizin mit Schwerpunkt Kardiologie, Sana Klinikum Lichtenberg, Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniel Messroghli
- Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany.,Deutsches Herzzentrum Berlin (DHZB), Germany
| | - Bettina Heidecker
- Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany.,Medizinische Klinik für Kardiologie, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Germany
| | - Christoph Wetz
- Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany.,Klinik für Nuklearmedizin, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
| | - Imke Schatka
- Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany.,Klinik für Nuklearmedizin, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
| | - Gina Barzen
- Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany.,Medizinische Klinik mit Schwerpunkt Kardiologie und Angiologie, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Mitte, Germany
| | - Carsten Tschöpe
- Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany.,Medizinische Klinik für Kardiologie, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow, Germany.,Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) at Charite; BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
| | - Holger Amthauer
- Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany.,Klinik für Nuklearmedizin, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
| | - Katrin Hahn
- Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany.,Klinik für Neurologie mit Experimenteller Neurologie, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
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14
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Chu X, Du K, Tang Y, Zhao X, Yu M, Zheng Y, Deng J, Lv H, Zhang W, Wang Z, Yuan Y, Meng L. Skeletal Muscle Involvement Pattern of Hereditary Transthyretin Amyloidosis: A Study Based on Muscle MRI. Front Neurol 2022; 13:851190. [PMID: 35592471 PMCID: PMC9112281 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.851190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Objects This study was intended to explore the characteristics of muscle magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of patients with hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRv amyloidosis) prospectively. Methods The clinical data of 20 patients with ATTRv amyloidosis at our hospital between July 2020 and August 2021 were analyzed. MRI of lower limbs including calf muscles was performed in all these 20 patients and MRI of thigh muscles was performed in 16 of them. Results The mean age of the 20 patients with ATTRv amyloidosis was 44.2 years (ranging from 26 to 60) whose mean duration of weakness was 23.3 ± 23.0 (ranging from 0 to 84) months. All the patients presented with polyneuropathy, and 18 of them with weakness in their lower limbs. Muscle involvement was selective in these patients with ATTRv amyloidosis. The posterior group of muscles was heavily fatty, and the soleus muscle was the most heavily involved. The proportion of fatty infiltration scores at the calf level was higher than at the thigh level with paired comparison for most patients. Three of these patients had more severely fatty infiltration of muscles at the thigh level. The fatty infiltration of posterior compartments at the calf level was highly consistent with neuropathy impairment scores of lower limbs (weakness), the strength of ankle plantar flexion muscles, and the amplitude of the compound muscle action potential of the tibial nerve. Conclusions It was found that the pattern of muscle fatty infiltration was consistent with a distal-to-proximal gradient on the whole and that proximal involvements in MRI of lower limbs in some patients could also be observed. Selective fatty infiltration of muscles of posterior compartments and fatty infiltration of the soleus muscle might be typical of ATTRv amyloidosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xujun Chu
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Kang Du
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yuwei Tang
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xutong Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Meng Yu
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yiming Zheng
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jianwen Deng
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - He Lv
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhaoxia Wang
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yun Yuan
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neurovascular Disease Discovery, Beijing, China
- Yun Yuan
| | - Lingchao Meng
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neurovascular Disease Discovery, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Lingchao Meng
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15
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Lv P, Li Y, Wu L, Shi Q, Meng L, Yu X, Nong L, Li J. Case Report: Systemic Amyloidosis Involving the Heart and Skeletal Muscle. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:816236. [PMID: 35445084 PMCID: PMC9013752 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.816236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Amyloidosis refers to an etiologically heterogeneous group of protein misfolding diseases characterized by extracellular deposition in organs and tissues of amyloid fibers, leading to severe organ dysfunction and death. Systemic amyloidosis often involves multiple organs. Heart and kidney are the most commonly affected organs, whereas skeletal muscle involvement is rare and often accompanied by other organs’ involvement. Case Summary We reported a 70-year-old man manifested with myopathy followed by heart failure who was suspected of transthyretin amyloidosis clinically, after the pathological results and the 99mTc-pyrophosphate (99mTc-PYP) scintigraphy, light-chain (AL) amyloidosis involving the heart and skeletal muscle was confirmed. Conclusion The patient’s unique presentation gives insight into a rare but debilitating disorder and the potential link between various types of amyloidosis. In addition, myopathy in amyloidosis should be recognized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pinchao Lv
- Department of Cardiology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yuxi Li
- Department of Cardiology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Wu
- Department of Cardiology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Qiuping Shi
- Department of Cardiology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Lingchao Meng
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojuan Yu
- Department of Nephrology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Nong
- Department of Pathology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jianping Li
- Department of Cardiology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Jianping Li,
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16
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Namiranian D, Geisler S. Neuromuscular Complications of Systemic Amyloidosis. Am J Med 2022; 135 Suppl 1:S13-S19. [PMID: 35104443 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2022.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Systemic amyloidosis is characterized by extracellular deposition of insoluble fibrillar proteins in multiple tissues, frequently at a distance from the site of synthesis. The 2 most common forms, light chain (AL) and transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidosis can cause peripheral neuropathy and, rarely, myopathy. Diagnosis can be challenging, and abundant suspicion is required to identify patients. As neurological manifestations of amyloidosis may precede involvement of other organs by several years, recognizing amyloid neuropathy and myopathy are crucial, especially in this new and exciting era of effective therapies for AL and ATTR neuropathy. This review will focus on the neuromuscular manifestations of AL and ATTR amyloidosis, diagnostic approaches, and recent advances in the treatment of amyloid neuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dina Namiranian
- Department of Neurology, Neuromuscular Division, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Mo
| | - Stefanie Geisler
- Department of Neurology, Neuromuscular Division, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Mo.
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17
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Dalakas MC. Complement in autoimmune inflammatory myopathies, the role of myositis-associated antibodies, COVID-19 associations, and muscle amyloid deposits. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2022; 18:413-423. [PMID: 35323101 DOI: 10.1080/1744666x.2022.2054803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The inflammatory myopathies (IM) have now evolved into distinct subsets requiring clarification about their immunopathogenesis to guide applications of targeted therapies. AREAS COVERED Immunohistopathologic criteria of IM with a focus on complement, anti-complement therapeutics, and other biologic immunotherapies. The COVID19-triggered muscle autoimmunity along with the correct interpretation of muscle amyloid deposits is discussed. EXPERT OPINION The IM, unjustifiably referred as idiopathic, comprise Dermatomyositis (DM), Necrotizing Autoimmune Myositis (NAM), Anti-synthetase syndrome-overlap myositis (Anti-SS-OM), and Inclusion-Body-Myositis (IBM). In DM, complement activation with MAC-mediated endomysial microvascular destruction and perifascicular atrophy is the fundamental process, while innate immunity activation factors, INF1 and MxA, sense and secondarily enhance inflammation. Complement participates in muscle fiber necrosis from any cause and may facilitate muscle-fiber necrosis in NAM but seems unlikely that myositis-associated antibodies participate in complement-fixing. Accordingly, anti-complement therapeutics should be prioritized for DM. SARS-CoV-2 can potentially trigger muscle autoimmunity, but systematic studies are needed as the reported autopsy findings are not clinically relevant. In IBM, tiny amyloid deposits within muscle fibers are enhanced by inflammatory mediators contributing to myodegeneration; in contrast, spotty amyloid deposits in the endomysial connective tissue do not represent 'amyloid myopathy' but only have diagnostic value for amyloidosis due to any cause.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marinos C Dalakas
- Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,University of Athens Medical School, Neuroimmunology Unit, National and Kapodistrian University, Athens, Greece
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18
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Li Z, Du K, Chu X, Lv H, Zhang W, Wang Z, Yuan Y, Meng L. TTR Gly83Arg Mutation: Beyond Familial Vitreous Amyloidosis. Front Neurol 2022; 12:821003. [PMID: 35185758 PMCID: PMC8850374 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.821003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gly83Arg variation is a type of TTR mutation specific to the Chinese population. Patients of hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR) with Gly83Arg variation predominantly present with blurred vision and most of these cases are reported by ophthalmologists. There is currently no systematic assessment of extraocular features of ATTR with Gly83Arg variation. METHODS Six patients and two asymptomatic carriers with molecularly confirmed Gly83Arg variation of ATTR from three unrelated families were identified by sequencing the TTR gene. The clinical, electrophysiological, ultrasonic, and pathological data were collected and analyzed. RESULTS This study included six patients and two carriers with TTR Gly83Arg mutation, all of whom came from the Han nationality of China. The average age of onset for the six patients was 39 years, and the course of disease ranged from 5 to 19 years. All the patients started with blurred vision, which was diagnosed as vitreous opacity (VO). Most of the patients developed sensory-motor polyneuropathies over years or even more than a decade (4-15 years) after VO. However, the heterogeneity of peripheral neuropathies among these patients remained large between families. Autonomic impairment also occurred after VO, with varying degrees of abnormalities seen in the associated autonomic assessments. None of the patients had any symptoms of cardiac impairment, but abnormal results were found in examinations. A combined biopsy of the sural nerve and muscle was also performed. Nerve pathology revealed the moderately reduced myelinated nerve fiber density and muscle pathology showed predominant neurogenic impairment accompanied by possible myogenic impairment. CONCLUSIONS This is a detailed account of Gly83Arg mutation-related ATTR, focusing on the extraocular presentations of this special variant in Chinese. Clinical features of this variant are early-onset, ocular involvement predominance, neurological, and cardiac involvement along with the disease, and relatively long survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenxian Li
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neurovascular Disease Discovery, Beijing, China
| | - Kang Du
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neurovascular Disease Discovery, Beijing, China
| | - Xujun Chu
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neurovascular Disease Discovery, Beijing, China
| | - He Lv
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neurovascular Disease Discovery, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neurovascular Disease Discovery, Beijing, China
| | - Zhaoxia Wang
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neurovascular Disease Discovery, Beijing, China
| | - Yun Yuan
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neurovascular Disease Discovery, Beijing, China
| | - Lingchao Meng
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neurovascular Disease Discovery, Beijing, China
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19
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Variable Presentation of Hereditary Transthyretin-Mediated Amyloidosis at a Single Center. J Clin Neuromuscul Dis 2021; 23:7-17. [PMID: 34431796 DOI: 10.1097/cnd.0000000000000356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Describe atypical presentations of hereditary transthyretin-mediated (hATTR) amyloidosis with polyneuropathy. METHODS Initial symptoms, diagnoses, and follow-up were recorded at the Austin Neuromuscular Center for 12 patients with nonclassical presentation of hATTR amyloidosis. RESULTS Common initial symptoms were hand and/or feet sensory manifestations (83%), muscle weakness (58%), and, less frequently, gastrointestinal and orthostatic impairment and carpal tunnel syndrome. Initial diagnoses were polyneuropathy (83%) and/or myopathy (25%). During follow-up, 10 patients (83%) developed cardiac symptoms (dyspnea, 67% and ankle edema, 17%), resulting in revised diagnoses of heart disease. Multisystem involvement raised suspicion of amyloidosis, which was confirmed by biopsy or nuclear scintigraphy, and genetic testing. All patients had polyneuropathy; 8 (67%) had cardiomyopathy-associated transthyretin mutations (V122I or T60A). Time from symptom onset to diagnosis was up to 10 years (median 5 years), during which patients' health deteriorated, although with recognition of disease signs/symptoms the diagnosis of hATTR amyloidosis was made in approximately 2-6 months from presentation at our center. CONCLUSIONS Increased awareness of the diverse initial hATTR amyloidosis symptoms could shorten time to diagnosis, enabling earlier treatment and improved patient outcomes.
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20
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Kushlaf H, Ezzat K. Extracellular amyloid deposition in sporadic inclusion body myositis: Further insights. Muscle Nerve 2021; 64:517-519. [PMID: 34396542 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hani Kushlaf
- Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Kariem Ezzat
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Research Center, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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21
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Alamr M, Milone M, Naddaf E, Ytterberg SR, Steel SJ, Jones LK, Liewluck T. Interstitial amyloidosis in sporadic inclusion body myositis. Muscle Nerve 2021; 64:590-594. [PMID: 34196979 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION/AIMS Intracellular congophilic inclusions within muscle fibers, although nonspecific, are one of the pathological hallmarks of sporadic inclusion body myositis (sIBM). Extracellular amyloid deposits in muscle, on the other hand, are the canonical findings of amyloid myopathies, which occur with or without systemic amyloidosis. METHODS We reviewed the muscle biopsy database (1998-2020) to identify sIBM patients with extracellular amyloid deposits. Clinical and laboratory data were reviewed. RESULTS We identified five sIBM patients (three clinicopathologically defined and two clinically defined) with extracellular amyloid deposits in muscle. Mean age at diagnosis was 74.8 y (range, 68-84 y). All patients had a typical sIBM pattern of weakness without associated sensory or autonomic symptoms. None had electrophysiological evidence of peripheral neuropathy. Only one patient had a monoclonal gammopathy (immunoglobulin M-lambda, IgM-λ) with normal bone marrow biopsy. This patient with monoclonal gammopathy and three other patients underwent abdominal fat pad aspirate and were negative for amyloid. Cardiac evaluation was unrevealing in the four patients tested. Three patients without monoclonal gammopathy had normal transthyretin gene sequencing and inconclusive mass spectrometry-based analysis. The patient with monoclonal gammopathy died of pneumosepsis 5 y after diagnosis and autopsy revealed multi-organ transthyretin amyloidosis. DISCUSSION Detection of extracellular amyloid deposition in muscle should trigger an aggressive search for systemic amyloidosis independently from other associated myopathological abnormalities. Amyloid subtyping is crucial for early therapy and mortality prevention. An isolated monoclonal gammopathy should not halt a search for non-hematological causes of systemic amyloidosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mazen Alamr
- Division of Neuromuscular Medicine, Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Margherita Milone
- Division of Neuromuscular Medicine, Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Elie Naddaf
- Division of Neuromuscular Medicine, Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Steven R Ytterberg
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Stephanie J Steel
- Division of Neuromuscular Medicine, Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Lyell K Jones
- Division of Neuromuscular Medicine, Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Teerin Liewluck
- Division of Neuromuscular Medicine, Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
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22
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Pinto MV, Dyck PJB, Liewluck T. Neuromuscular amyloidosis: Unmasking the master of disguise. Muscle Nerve 2021; 64:23-36. [PMID: 33458861 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Amyloidosis refers to an etiologically heterogeneous group of protein misfolding diseases, pathologically characterized by extracellular amyloid fibrils producing congophillic amorphous deposits in organs and tissues, which may lead to severe organ dysfunction and mortality. Clinical presentations vary and are often nonspecific, depending on what organs or tissues are affected. In systemic amyloidosis, the peripheral nervous system is commonly affected, whereas the skeletal muscles are only rarely involved. Immunoglobulin light chain (AL) amyloidosis and hereditary transthyretin (ATTRv) amyloidosis are the most frequent types of systemic amyloidosis involving the neuromuscular system. Localized amyloidosis can occur in skeletal muscle, so-called isolated amyloid myopathy. Amyloid neuropathy typically involves small myelinated and unmyelinated sensory and autonomic nerve fibers early in the course of the disease, followed by large myelinated fiber sensory and motor deficits. The relentlessly progressive nature with motor, painful sensory and severe autonomic dysfunction, profound weight loss, and systemic features are distinct characteristics of amyloid neuropathy. Amyloid myopathy presentation differs between systemic amyloidosis and isolated amyloid myopathy. Long-standing symptoms, distal predominant myopathy, markedly elevated creatine kinase level, and lack of peripheral neuropathy or systemic features are highly suggestive of isolated amyloid myopathy. In ATTR and AL amyloidosis, early treatment correlates with favorable outcomes. Therefore, awareness of these disorders and active screening for amyloidosis in patients with neuropathy or myopathy are crucial in detecting these patients in the everyday practice of neuromuscular medicine. Herein, we review the clinical manifestations of neuromuscular amyloidosis and provide a diagnostic approach to this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus V Pinto
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.,Department of Neurology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, National Amyloidosis Referral Center (CEPARM), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - P James B Dyck
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Teerin Liewluck
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
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23
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Peripheral Neuropathy in Wild-Type Amyloidosis: The More You Look, the More You Will Find. Can J Neurol Sci 2021; 48:597-598. [PMID: 33431070 DOI: 10.1017/cjn.2021.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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24
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Koike H, Katsuno M. Transthyretin Amyloidosis: Update on the Clinical Spectrum, Pathogenesis, and Disease-Modifying Therapies. Neurol Ther 2020; 9:317-333. [PMID: 32948978 PMCID: PMC7500251 DOI: 10.1007/s40120-020-00210-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
ATTR amyloidosis is caused by systemic deposition of transthyretin (TTR) and comprises ATTRwt (wt for wild-type) amyloidosis, ATTRv (v for variant) amyloidosis, and acquired ATTR amyloidosis after domino liver transplantation. ATTRwt amyloidosis has classically been regarded as cardiomyopathy found in the elderly, whereas carpal tunnel syndrome has also become a major initial manifestation. The phenotypes of ATTRv amyloidosis are diverse and include neuropathy, cardiomyopathy, and oculoleptomeningeal involvement as the predominant features, depending on the mutation and age of onset. In addition to variant TTR, the deposition of wild-type TTR plays a significant role, even in patients with ATTRv amyloidosis. The formation of amyloid fibrils tends to occur in association with the basement membrane. The thickening or reduplication of the basement membrane surrounding endoneurial microvessels, which is similar to diabetic neuropathy, is observed in ATTRv amyloidosis, suggesting that common mechanisms, such as an accumulation of advanced glycation end products, may participate in the disease process. In addition to direct damage caused by amyloid fibrils, recent studies have suggested that the toxicity of nonfibrillar TTRs, such as TTR oligomers, participates in the process of tissue damage. Although liver transplantation has been performed for patients with ATTRv amyloidosis since 1990, late-onset patients were not eligible for this treatment. However, as the efficacy of orally administered tafamidis and diflunisal, which stabilize TTR tetramers, was suggested in the early 2010s, such late-onset patients have also become targets for disease-modifying therapies. Additionally, recent studies of small interfering RNA (patisiran) and antisense oligonucleotide (inotersen) therapies have demonstrated the efficacy of these gene-silencing agents. A strategy for monitoring patients that enables the choice of an appropriate treatment from comprehensive and long-term viewpoints should be established. As many patients with ATTR amyloidosis are aged and have heart failure, they are at increased risk of aggravation if they are infected by SARS-CoV2. The optimal interval of evaluation should also be considered, particularly in this COVID-19 era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruki Koike
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.
| | - Masahisa Katsuno
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
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25
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Koike H, Katsuno M. Expanding the spectrum of transthyretin amyloidosis. Muscle Nerve 2019; 61:3-4. [DOI: 10.1002/mus.26741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Haruki Koike
- Department of Neurology Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine Nagoya Japan
| | - Masahisa Katsuno
- Department of Neurology Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine Nagoya Japan
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