Amyloidosis: Diagnosis and Treat-ment, Humana Press,Edited by Morie Gertz, S. Vincent Rajkumar.Humana Press, New York, 2010, 238 p.

Amyloidosis: Diagnosis and Treatment, edited by Morie

Gertz and Vincent Rajkumar is one of the books pub-

lished in the Contemporary Hematology series. It has

assembled experts from the Mayo Clinic and other amy-

loid centers to provide an extensively referenced review

of information on amyloid diseases. The aim of the Edi-

tors was to provide the newest information for clinicians

seeing patients and for scientists studying basic mecha-

nisms of amyloid fibril formation. The 15 chapters cover

topics ranging from amyloid protein biochemical struc-

ture to characteristics of each type of amyloid disease

and to management of specific organ dysfunction and

failure. Experts in the field have provided us with their

analysis of topics and included algorithms and tables

that will be invaluable for scientists, clinicians, and stu-

dents. While all chapters are impressive in their thorough

review of published information, several chapters in this

book are outstanding in accomplishing the editors’ goal.

The chapter by Lavatelli et al., is a very scholarly

review and analysis of current thinking on pathogenesis

of amyloid fibril formation with detailed, well-referenced

analysis of the key processes: protein misfolding and

aggregation; cellular regulation influence on tissue speci-

ficity; and tissue toxicity and organ dysfunction.

Although the chapter discusses highly technical concepts,

the author uses a clearly labeled algorithm which makes

the chapter understandable for both scientists and clini-

cians.

Two excellent chapters for clinicians are the chapters

by Falk and Dubrey on amyloid heart disease and by

Dember on renal amyloidosis. Both comprehensively

describe features and treatment of amyloid disease in a

commonly affected organ of the patient with amyloido-

sis. Falk and Dubrey discuss the results of cardiac tests

in amyloidosis and explain the physiologic reasons

behind those results. They present in detail the cardiac

features of each type of systemic amyloidosis and the

role of cardiac biomarkers as a useful adjunct, but not a

substitute for, the history, physical examination, and

echocardiography in evaluation of the patient. The

authors’ expertise is seen in the superb management sec-

tion which will be of great value to clinicians.

The chapter by Dember on renal amyloidosis is an

excellent treatise on amyloid renal disease for patholo-

gists and clinicians. The review thoroughly documents

the types of amyloidosis that affect the kidney, the histo-

logical characteristics of each, and addresses the mecha-

nisms causing kidney dysfunction. Here again, the

author’s expertise is evident in the comprehensive discus-

sion of supportive management for kidney problems in

amyloid disease. In addition, Dr Dember reviews the

major treatments for each type of systemic amyloidosis

and their impact on kidney function with final comments

on dialysis and renal transplantation.

Other key chapters include the conventional treatment

of amyloidosis by Gertz and Buadi and high-dose ther-

apy in amyloidosis by Cohen and Comenzo. These chap-

ters are notable for presenting the impressive knowledge

gained in therapy for AL amyloidosis that have occurred

over the past 15–20 years, prior to which there was no

treatment for AL amyloidosis. Gertz and Baudi provide

a clear and well thought out algorithm based on their

extensive experience for treatment of patients who are

ineligible for high-dose therapy.

The chapter by Lachmann deserves mention as excep-

tional. This is the only chapter that focuses on AA

amyloidosis, with which the author has great experience.

It clearly reviews pathogenesis, clinical features, treat-

ment and long range expectations. An impressive table

of associated conditions reported to be complicated by

AA amyloidosis nicely separates categories of inflamma-

tory conditions and gives references for further reading.

The book winds up with an outstanding chapter by

Benson on other systemic forms of amyloidosis. This

chapter thoroughly reviews of all systemic forms of amy-

loidosis (other than AL, AA, and ATTR). All are heredi-

tary forms, except LECT2 which is not yet shown to be

hereditary, and the review describes each disease, the his-

tory of its discovery, the genetic mutation, the clinical

features, the diagnosis, and the treatment. The author

makes this chapter fun to read as it documents the

knowledge to date on these rare types of amyloidosis. It

will provide clinicians and amyloid specialists with

important clues to diagnostic possibilities before proceed-

ing to extensive DNA analysis in difficult cases.

Martha Skinner, MDAmyloid Treatment and Research Program,

Boston University School of Medicine,

72 East Concord Street,

Boston, MA 02118, USA

BOOK REVIEW

doi:10.1111/j.1600-0609.2011.01581.x European Journal of Haematology 86 (360)

360 ª 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S