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Karam, Chafic

0000-0003-3868-2994

Mayo Clinic

Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.

Citations 3

Prognostic factors and progression biomarkers in AL amyloidosis: mapping current knowledge and critical gaps
Brailovsky, Yevgeniy, Hanna, Mazen, Witteles, Ronald, Vaishnav, Joban , Griffin, Jan Marie, Garcia-Pavia, Pablo, Wolinsky, David G. , Karam, Chafic, Lachmann, Helen J, Gertz, Morie A., Bampatsias, Dimitrios, Hsu, Kristen , Johnson, Phaedra Theodora, Zigterman, Jamie, Kazemzadeh, Ana Carolina, Maurer, Mathew S., Wechalekar, Ashutosh D., Karam, Chafic , Chakraborty, Rajshekhar , Brailovsky, Yevgeniy , Garcia-Pavia, Pablo , Wolinsky, David , Karam, Chafic , Lachmann, Helen , Hsu, Kristen , Johnson, Phaedra , Zigterman, Jamie , Chakraborty, Rajshekhar , Brailovsky, Yevgeniy , Hanna, Mazen , Witteles, Ronald , Hoffman, James Edward, Griffin, Jan M. , Lachmann, Helen J. , Gertz, Morie A. , Boursiquot, Brian C. , Bampatsias, Dimitrios, Maurer, Mathew S , Wechalekar, Ashutosh D.

Blood | March 4, 2026 | Volume: 147 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 2448-2462

10.1182/blood.2025031651 Get It

Abstract The therapeutic landscape for systemic immunoglobulin light chain (AL) amyloidosis has been revolutionized by daratumumab-based regimens, achieving 76% 5-year overall survival in the landmark ANDROMEDA trial. However, the current prognostic models were developed using patient populations treated with now-suboptimal therapies, creating a critical gap between risk stratification models and contemporary outcomes. This comprehensive review analyzes prognostic factors and progression biomarkers in AL, categorizing them into disease-specific (clone-related and organ-related) and patient-specific factors. Notably, traditional baseline biomarkers including difference between involved and uninvolved free light chains and bone marrow plasma cell burden are losing prognostic significance with effective clone-directed therapies. Emerging approaches show promise, including dynamic markers such as minimal residual disease by free light chain mass spectrometry, cardiac imaging parameters such as global longitudinal strain, and functional measures. There is an urgent need for validation studies and prognostic model refinement to identify patients at high risk who may benefit from interventions beyond anti–plasma cell therapy.
PRX004 in variant amyloid transthyretin (ATTRv) amyloidosis: results of a phase 1, open-label, dose-escalation study
Suhr, Ole B. , Grogan, Martha , Silva, Ana , Karam, Chafic , Drachman, Brian , Zago, Wagner , Tripuraneni, Radhika , Kinney, Gene G. , Silva, Ana Martins da , Garcia-Pavia, Pablo , Drachman, Brian , Zago, Wagner , Tripuraneni, Radhika , Kinney, Gene G , Karam, Chafic

Amyloid | October 30, 2024 | Volume: 32 | Issue: 1 | Pages: 14-21

10.1080/13506129.2024.2420809 Get It

Diagnosis and treatment of hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis with polyneuropathy in the United States : Recommendations from a panel of experts
Karam, Chafic , Mauermann, Michelle L. , Ajroud‐Driss, Senda , Brannagan, Thomas H., Polydefkis, Michael , Mauermann, Michelle L , Karam, Chafic , González-Duarte, Alejandra , Kaku, Michelle C.

Muscle & Nerve | January 4, 2024 | Volume: 69 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 273-287

10.1002/mus.28026 Get It

Abstract Hereditary transthyretin (ATTRv; v for variant) amyloidosis is a rare, multisystem, progressive, and fatal disease in which polyneuropathy is a cardinal manifestation. Due to a lack of United States (US)‐specific guidance on ATTRv amyloidosis with polyneuropathy, a panel of US‐based expert clinicians convened to address identification, monitoring, and treatment of this disease. ATTRv amyloidosis with polyneuropathy should be suspected in unexplained progressive neuropathy, especially if associated with systemic symptoms or family history. The diagnosis is confirmed through genetic testing, biopsy, or cardiac technetium‐based scintigraphy. Treatment should be initiated as soon as possible after diagnosis, with gene‐silencing therapeutics recommended as a first‐line option. Consensus is lacking on what represents “disease progression” during treatment; however, the aggressive natural history of this disease should be considered when evaluating the effectiveness of any therapy.