Amyloidosis Program

Our team of experts specializes in the care of people who have amyloidosis, a complex disease that can affect the heart, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, nervous system, and other organs. At the Amyloidosis Program, part of NYU Langone’s Perlmutter Cancer Center, we bring together the expertise of clinicians from many disciplines to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses your specific healthcare needs.

Amyloidosis is rare and often goes undiagnosed until it is very advanced. Depending on the organs affected, symptoms can vary widely and mimic other diseases of the heart, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, and bone marrow. When left untreated, amyloidosis can damage the organs and their ability to function.

There are different types of amyloidosis, including hereditary and nonhereditary forms. Amyloidosis may also occur as the result of another disease such as bone or blood cancer.

Our comprehensive evaluation takes into account all the ways amyloidosis can affect the body. Our specialists provide expert care for cardiac amyloidosis, which affects heart function, along with other types of amyloidosis that affect the bone marrow and other organs.

Depending on the type of amyloidosis, you are first evaluated by a cardiac specialist or a hematologist. They may collaborate with other specialists, including neurologists, nephrologists, and gastroenterologists, to provide a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.

We work with you to help you understand the diagnosis and the treatment options. Our specialists also engage in research and offer clinical trials that provide advanced or novel treatment options.

What Causes Amyloidosis

Amyloidosis occurs when the body produces proteins called amyloid fibrils that cannot be broken down naturally, causing a buildup in various organs. Amyloid fibrils are usually produced by one of two sources: the bone marrow or the liver. When amyloid fibrils originate from bone marrow, a person may have a condition called AL amyloidosis that is acquired, not inherited. Amyloid fibrils produced by the liver result in transthyretin (TTR) amyloidosis.

In AL amyloidosis, also known as primary amyloidosis, amyloid fibrils are deposited in the organs or tissues, causing them to thicken and affecting their function. Most often, AL amyloidosis affects the heart, kidneys, and nervous system. TTR amyloidosis has two forms: hereditary TTR and wild type, a nonhereditary form that occurs most often in men older than age 60. TTR amyloidosis commonly affects the nerves and heart.

To make a diagnosis, we evaluate your medical history and symptoms and recommend diagnostic tests including a blood or urine test to test for the presence of amyloid proteins, or a biopsy to detect the amyloid deposits.

Treatment for Amyloidosis

To treat AL amyloidosis, a hematologist may recommend chemotherapy or a blood and marrow transplant to reduce the level of abnormal amyloid-producing cells in the bone marrow. You may also be referred to a cardiologist or other specialist, depending on whether the heart or another part of the body is involved.

For TTR amyloidosis, we may recommend medications to reduce or halt the production of the transthyretin protein. TTR amyloidosis most commonly affects the heart, and we refer you to a cardiologist or other specialist who can help you manage symptoms and provide treatment. Our team including physicians, pharmacists, and nurse practioners can also help you access novel treatment options, including the latest clinical trials.

If the heart, liver, or kidneys are severely affected because of AL or TTR amyloidosis, we can refer you to our specialists at NYU Langone Transplant Institute to determine whether a transplant is an appropriate option for you.

Make an Appointment

To make an appointment at our locations in Manhattan or on Long Island, please call 646-501-0119.