Words to know: AL amyloidosis
- Amyloid
- Abnormal protein fibers that build up in organs and tissues and keep them from working well.
- AL amyloidosis
- Amyloidosis caused by light chains made by abnormal plasma cells. AL stands for amyloid light chain.
- ATTR amyloidosis
- A different type of amyloidosis caused by a liver protein called transthyretin. It is treated differently.
- Plasma cell
- A white blood cell in the bone marrow that makes antibodies.
- Light chains
- Small pieces of antibody protein. There are two kinds: kappa and lambda.
- dFLC
- The difference between the abnormal and normal light chain levels. It is used to track treatment.
- Congo red
- A dye used on biopsy samples that makes amyloid show up under a special microscope.
- Fat pad biopsy
- A quick needle test that takes a small amount of belly fat to look for amyloid.
- Mass spectrometry
- A lab test that identifies which protein makes up the amyloid.
- NT-proBNP
- A blood test that shows how much strain the heart is under.
- Troponin
- A blood test that shows damage to heart muscle.
- Echocardiogram
- An ultrasound of the heart that shows its walls and how well it works.
- Proteinuria
- Protein leaking into the urine because of kidney damage. Urine may look foamy.
- Nephrotic syndrome
- Heavy protein loss in the urine that causes swelling and low protein in the blood.
- Neuropathy
- Nerve damage that causes numbness, tingling, burning, or weakness.
- Orthostatic hypotension
- A drop in blood pressure when you stand up, causing dizziness or fainting.
- Hematologic response
- How much the abnormal light chains drop with treatment.
- Organ response
- Improvement in the heart, kidneys, or another affected organ after treatment.
- Dara-CyBorD
- Daratumumab with cyclophosphamide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone. The standard first treatment for AL amyloidosis.
- Daratumumab
- An antibody medicine that targets CD38 on plasma cells.
- Bortezomib
- A medicine called a proteasome inhibitor that kills abnormal plasma cells.
- Autologous stem cell transplant
- High-dose chemotherapy followed by return of your own stem cells to rebuild the bone marrow.
- Diuretic
- A water pill that helps the body get rid of extra fluid.
- t(11;14)
- A gene change in plasma cells that is common in AL amyloidosis and can guide treatment.
Last updated: 2026-10-27. Medically reviewed by Veli Bakalov, MD, medical oncologist (October 2026). General education from Step by Step, the patient portal of HemeOncBuddy.