Active clinical trials for "Paraproteinemias"

This study examines the quality of life in patients with monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance and smoldering multiple myeloma. Collecting quality of life information from patients may help doctors learn more about the most common symptoms and concerns patients with monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance and smoldering multiple myeloma may have.

This is a prospective, non-interventional, observational study. The purpose of this study is to collect data and bio-specimens that will support future research

The primary purpose of this protocol is to create a registry of patients with plasma cell disorders (PCDs), including for example the cancer multiple myeloma (MM), who complete the assessment, previously known as a "geriatric assessment," as is outlined in this protocol. Secondary objectives include measuring the response rate to participation of patients in this study, assessing patient satisfaction with the questionnaire, and gathering information that would lend support for future research into these types of assessments in patients with PCDs. Additionally the study offers an optional blood draw to look at a genetic marker of aging called p16INK4a (IRB 15-1899, IRB 15-0244).

The term "Monoclonal Gammopathies of Renal Significance" (MGRS) describes a group of diseases characterized by the presence of an immunoglobulin or monoclonal immunoglobulin fraction that has the ability to cause renal damage. It is important to diagnose MGRS correctly and early as renal survival depends on the renal function present at the time of diagnosis and it is necessary to establish a specific treatment that aims to stop the progression of the damage. organ and restoration of renal function. To date, there are no targeted therapeutic strategies that can prevent the formation of deposits or that can eliminate the deposits already present in the kidney, which constitute the etiopathogenetic factor of these pathologies. Therefore, the only valid therapeutic option is to act against the clone of B lymphocytes underlying the nephrological pathology, although it is not a clone with such requirements to be able to define it as a tumor. Therefore, given the absence of a well-defined policy in the therapy of MGRS and the doubts present on the validity of a therapeutic approach aimed at the suppression of a plasma cell clone, the investigators decided to carry out an observational retrospective study with the aim of describing, in a large series of MGRS treated with oncohematological therapy, the renal and overall outcome of patients and identify any presenting prognostic characteristics that can help improve the diagnosis of these disorders and the long-term survival of patients.

The purpose of this study is to see whether certain genes may be linked with the development of AL amyloidosis in subjects 60 years of age or older with the blood disorders SMM and MGUS. A limited repertoire of immunoglobulin (Ig) variable region genes have been associated with AL amyloidosis. The clonal plasma cells of subjects with SMM and MGUS may express one of these Ig variable region genes indicating a risk of progression to AL amyloidosis and potentially enabling early diagnosis. We hope this study will help us begin to understand whether Ig variable region gene identification can be a useful tool for assessing a subject's risk of progression to AL amyloidosis.

The key aim of the study is to define the two biologically and clinically distinct entities: progressive versus stable myeloma precursor conditions.

Blood disorders such as leukemia or lymphoma or hemoglobinopathies can benefit from receiving an allogeneic (meaning that the cells are from a donor) stem cell transplant. Stem cells are created in the bone marrow. They grow into different types of blood cells that the body needs, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. In a transplant, the body's stem cells would be killed and then replaced by stem cells from the donor. Usually, patients are given very high doses of chemotherapy (drugs which kill cancer cells) prior to receiving a stem cell transplant. However, patients that are older, have received several prior treatments, or have other organ diseases are at a high risk of getting life-threatening treatment-related side effects from high doses of chemotherapy. Over the past several years, some doctors have begun to use lower doses of chemotherapy for preparing patients for a stem cell transplant. A condition that can occur after a stem cell transplant from a donor is Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD). It is a rare but serious disorder that can strike persons whose immune system is suppressed and have received either a blood transfusion or a bone marrow transplant. Symptoms may include skin rash, intestinal problems similar to inflammation of the bowel and liver dysfunction. This research study uses a combination of lower-dose chemotherapy agents that is slightly different from those that have been used before. The medicines that will be used in this study are Fludarabine, Busulfan, both chemotherapy medicines, and Campath. Campath is a monoclonal antibody (a type of substance produced in the laboratory that binds to cancer cells). It helps the immune system see the cancer cell as something that needs to be destroyed. This research study will help us learn if using Fludarabine, Busulfan and Campath prior to an allogeneic stem cell transplant can provide treatment for blood disorders while decreasing the incidence of side effects.

Escalating doses of Omega 3 Fatty Acids are being used in patients who have early stage Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (ES-CLL), Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS), or Smoldering Multiple Myeloma (SMM), whose disease does not currently require treatment. The primary aim of the study is to determine if the Omega 3 supplementation will help prevent or delay progression of the disease to a stage that requires treatment.

This study was done to find out if the investigational medication, rituximab, could help relieve the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy (such as numbness [abnormal protein in the blood] and weakness of the lower and upper extremities) in people who have monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and people with a symptomatic or smoldering Waldestrom macroglobulinemia. Rituximab is an antibody which attacks a particular type of white blood cell (B Cell). By targeting the B-cells which make the abnormal protein which is involved in causing the nerve trouble, it is hoped that damage to nerve fibers will be stopped and improvement will be allowed to proceed.

Polyneuropathy associated with anti-MAG monoclonal IgM gammopathy is responsive of mainly a sensory deficit in predominantly males ,aged 40-70 years. Significantly high serum anti-MAG antibodies are linked with demyelinating features of the peripheral nerves.Rituximab, an anti-CD 20 monoclonal antibody is a new drug which reduces B-lymphocytes. This study will test the safety and efficacy of rituximab in the treatment of patients with anti-MAG polyneuropathy.