2nd Autologous Stem Cell Transplant in Patients With Persistent/Recurrent (AL) Amyloidosis

Inclusion criteria: DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed AL amyloidosis * Persistent or recurrent disease after 1 course of prior high-dose chemotherapy * Previously treated with autologous stem cell transplantation * Significant initial improvement in organ function after prior high-dose melphalan, defined by at least 1 of the following: * Complete hematologic remission (e.g., absence of monoclonal spike by immunofixation in serum and urine AND less then 5% plasma cells in bone marrow with no clonal predominance) OR partial hematologic response (e.g., any decrease in serum or urine monoclonal protein OR decrease in bone marrow plasmacytosis) * Greater than 50% reduction in proteinuria with preservation of creatinine clearance * Greater than 50% reduction in alkaline phosphatase OR at least 2 cm decrease in liver size by physical exam * Subjective neurologic improvement, as confirmed by neurologist * Cardiac stabilization of disease confirmed by echocardiography defined as less than 2 mm increase in mean wall thickness and/or less than 20 g increase in left ventricular mass * Improvement in performance status\* NOTE: \*This criteria alone does not constitute significant improvement in organ function * Prior stem cell yield must have been ≥ 2 x 10\^6 CD34+ cells/kg PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy * See Disease Characteristics Chemotherapy * See Disease Characteristics * No chemotherapy after first transplantation Endocrine ther…