EUREKA, FHNW School of Life Sciences

Immunoglobulin light chain (AL) amyloidosis is a rare, progressive disease caused by antibody fragments called light chains, which are produced by plasma cells in the immune system. Amyloid light chains target vital organs and form deposits. Therapy is based on anti-plasma cell drugs, aiming at reducing light chain production, restoring organ function, improving quality of life, and extending survival.

Members of our consortium made substantial contributions to the diagnosis, treatment and management of AL amyloidosis. However, previous studies on the natural history of the disease were limited by low numbers of analysed patients, limited representativeness of patient cohorts, lack of molecular data, and analysis approach.

In the frame of the EUREKA consortium, we will create a single patients’ registry collecting all new cases of AL amyloidosis evaluated at four referral centres across Europe or at their satellite sites, linked to a cross-border biobank and sample sharing network for the study of both disease-causing light chains and plasma cells with advanced molecular technologies. A fifth site will support the consortium with big data analysis and artificial intelligence applied to health.