CompletedPhase 2

Melphalan, Thalidomide, and Dexamethasone in Treating Patients With Newly Diagnosed, Previously Untreated Primary Systemic Amyloidosis

United StatesStarted 2002-05

Plain-language summary

RATIONALE: Drugs such as melphalan, thalidomide, and dexamethasone may be effective in treating patients with primary systemic amyloidosis. PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying how well giving melphalan together with thalidomide and dexamethasone works in treating patients with primary systemic amyloidosis.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Diagnosis of primary systemic (AL) amyloidosis within the past 12 months * High- or low-risk disease, determined by the extent of systemic organ involvement with disease and patient age PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age * 18 and over Performance status * SWOG 0-3 Life expectancy * Not specified Hematopoietic * Not specified Hepatic * Not specified Renal * Not specified Cardiovascular * No New York Heart Association class III or IV congestive heart failure * No restrictive cardiomyopathy requiring oxygen * No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months * No symptomatic cardiac arrhythmia within the past 60 days Other * No other active malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, carcinoma in situ of the cervix, or adequately treated stage I cancer in complete remission PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy * Not specified Chemotherapy * No prior chemotherapy for AL amyloidosis Endocrine therapy * Not specified Radiotherapy * Not specified Surgery * Not specified Other * No other prior or concurrent therapy for AL amyloidosis

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Overall progression-free survival at 2 years

Trial details

NCT IDNCT00089167

SponsorMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2007-12

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