ReDox

Light-chain (AL) amyloidosis is caused by a population of plasma cells (antibody-producing cells) producing antibody parts, light chains (LC), that deposit in tissue in an ordered form called amyloid. Heart involvement is responsible for almost all deaths. Most patients are treated with a powerful anti-plasma cell drug, bortezomib. However, this improves heart involvement only in a few cases. Doxycycline, a widely used antibiotic, was shown to disrupt amyloid deposits and counteract LC toxicity in laboratory studies and animal models. In a preliminary clinical study, patients receiving doxycycline during anti-plasma cell treatment survived longer compared to similar patients who had received only anti-plasma cell therapy in the past. In the present study, patients with AL amyloidosis with similar degree of heart involvement, will randomly receive doxycycline or standard antibiotics in addition to bortezomib-based therapy, in order to assess the safety and efficacy of doxycycline.