Because amyloidosis can affect different parts of the body, it requires a team of specialists. Treatment options vary depending on the type of amyloidosis. Our specialists work and consult together to deliver you the most effective treatments.
- Doxycycline. This antibiotic can stop or reduce amyloid deposits.
- Green tea. Drinking green tea may stop the buildup of amyloid proteins.
Chemotherapy is one of the longest used and most common treatments for specific types of amyloidosis.
In the case of systemic amyloidosis, chemotherapy works by stopping abnormal blood cells from producing the abnormal (amyloid) protein. A combination of different chemotherapy medicines is typically used to fight systemic amyloidosis.
While chemotherapy can be effective for amyloidosis, the medicines also affect healthy cells and can cause many side effects during treatment.
How is chemotherapy given?
Chemotherapy is usually administered in cycles to allow healthy cells time to recover. It may be given daily, weekly, every few weeks or monthly, depending on your situation.
Chemotherapy can be given in various ways, such as:
- A pill to swallow
- An injection (shot) into the muscle or fat tissue
- Directly into the bloodstream, or intravenously (also called IV)
- Topically (applied to the skin)
- Directly into a body cavity
We encourage you to bring something that is comforting to occupy your time during treatment. Since it is hard to predict how you will feel after treatment, you should arrange to have someone drive you to and from your chemotherapy appointments.
We use targeted drugs to attack proteins or genes responsible for the development of amyloidosis. Drug therapy can lead to remission for some patients.
If your organs function properly, a bone marrow transplant may be an option. A transplant can slow the progression of amyloidosis and improve symptoms. How a bone marrow transplant works:
- We collect healthy stem cells from your blood or bone marrow.
- You receive high doses of chemotherapy to get rid of the cells that produce amyloid protein.
- We transplant those healthy cells back into your body so you can begin making new healthy cells without amyloid protein.
Clinical trials help keep our cancer care on the leading edge by allowing researchers to apply treatment knowledge as it develops to give you the best chance of survival.
At Markey, our specialists place a high value on all areas of amyloidosis treatment, from patient care designed for the unique patient to developing treatments of the future.
Visit Markey’s Clinical Trials webpage for more information on how to participate, as well as the NCI Clinical Trials webpages for additional resources.
- Download the Markey Cancer Center Clinical Trials app.
- Request an appointment online or call 859-257-4488 or 866-340-4488 (toll free).
