Shahzad Raza, MD, member of Case CCC's Immune Oncology Program and Cleveland Clinic Oncologist, is among the experts who developed the American Society of Hematology's (ASH) first evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis of light chain (AL) amyloidosis, providing physicians with recommendations designed to improve the timely recognition and diagnosis of this rare, but potentially life-threatening, disease.
Although AL amyloidosis is not a cancer itself, it is closely linked to hematologic malignancies. The disease develops when abnormal plasma cells—similar to those seen in multiple myeloma and related plasma cell disorders—produce misfolded immunoglobulin light chains that accumulate as amyloid deposits in tissues and organs. These deposits can damage the heart, kidneys, liver, nervous system, and other organs, leading to progressive organ failure if left untreated.
Because the underlying plasma cell disorder drives the disease, patients with AL amyloidosis are often diagnosed and treated by hematologists and cancer specialists. Advances in therapies developed for plasma cell cancers have also significantly improved outcomes for many patients with AL amyloidosis, making early diagnosis more important than ever.
The multidisciplinary ASH guideline panel developed 12 evidence-based recommendations to help clinicians recognize and diagnose the disease before irreversible organ damage occurs. Among the recommendations are the use of serum and urine immunofixation testing together with serum free light chain analysis to raise clinical suspicion of AL amyloidosis, as well as guidance on when to use bone marrow, fat-pad, or affected-organ biopsies to establish the diagnosis.
The new guidelines provide an important framework for standardizing care, reducing delays in diagnosis, and ensuring patients are referred promptly for treatment.
Raza's participation reflects Case CCC's commitment to advancing the care of patients with blood cancers and related disorders—not only through research and clinical expertise, but also by helping establish national standards that improve diagnosis and treatment worldwide.