MM: Amyloidosis-where are we now and where are we heading

• Context.-Amyloidoses are disorders of diverse etiology in which deposits of abnormally folded proteins share distinctive staining properties and fibrillar ultrastructural appearance. Amyloidosis ultimately leads to destruction of tissues and progressive disease. With recent advances in the treatment of systemic amyloidoses the importance of an early diagnosis of amyloid, and a correct diagnosis of its type, has been realized. Objective. A myloidoses are disorders of diverse etiology in which deposits of abnormally folded proteins share distinctive staining properties and fibrillar ultrastructural appearance. 1-3 Amyloidosis ultimately leads to destruction of tissues and progressive disease. Although they have been known since the time of Virchow in the 19th century, until relatively recently the amyloidoses were considered a medical curiosity of only academic interest rather than clinically relevant diseases. However, recent advances in the treatment of systemic amyloidoses have changed this outlook and, hence, the importance of an early diagnosis of amyloid, and a correct diagnosis of its type, has been realized. 2,4-9 Currently, more than 25 different proteins (and many more variants) are known to be involved in amyloidoses and additional protein types are continually being added to this list