Amyloidosis is a rare disease that affects a small number of people worldwide. It is a complex condition that can cause a range of symptoms, from fatigue and weakness to heart failure and kidney damage. Can Amyloidosis Be Cured? In this article, we will answer this question based on this study: www.myamyloidosisteam.com/resources/can-amyloidosis-be-cured?
Remission possible but no cure
There is a big difference between cure and remission. In the context of amyloidosis, it is important to know this difference. Both terms can be used when there are no more signs and symptoms of the disease. However, the difference in these terms is more than important.
When a patient has been cured, it means that the causes of the disease have disappeared, that it will not get worse, that it will not come back, that there is no need to visit the doctor about the disease or to take any treatment.
In contrast, when a patient is in remission, the causes of the disease are present but controlled, the disease may worsen, symptoms may recur, there is still medical follow-up, and some treatments must be continued.
In amyloidosis, recoveries are unfortunately very rare. It is one of the so-called “incurable” diseases. No treatment has yet been discovered that can directly cure the disease. However, remission is possible. Sometimes, but very rarely, the treatments that are used for remission lead to the patient being cured of the disease. But it is important to keep in mind that these are very rare cases so as not to entertain an almost vain hope.
Prognosis and treatment
The prognosis for amyloidosis depends on a variety of factors, including the type of amyloidosis, the severity of the disease, and how quickly it is diagnosed and treated. Generally speaking, the prognosis is better for those with localized amyloidosis, which affects only one organ or tissue, than for those with systemic amyloidosis, which affects multiple organs and tissues. However, with proper treatment and management, many people with amyloidosis are able to live for years with the disease.
The specific treatment options will depend on the type and severity of amyloidosis you have. At present, there are various treatments that can help manage the symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. Examples include chemotherapy, stem cell transplantation, liver transplantation and supportive care. Supportive care can include medication (Alkeran, Cytoxan, Velcade, Darzalex…) and/or lifestyle changes (as explained in the article: https://www.amyloidosisalliance.org/amyloidosis-and-physical-activity/ for example).
Research for a cure
Clinical trials are currently being conducted to find better treatments for amyloidosis. These trials can help lead to remission or, in the best case, a cure. Here are some examples of trials that are currently being studied:
- Vibramycin (doxycycline) , an antibiotic that can break down amyloidosis fibrils
- PRX-004 , an antibody that could potentially reduce amyloid protein levels
- AG10 , a molecule that could possibly prevent amyloid formation