Human Immune Globulin in Treating Patients With Primary Amyloidosis That is Causing Heart Dysfunction

• Level of tolerance for human immune globulin intravenous (IGIV) as reflected by the number and severity of toxicity incidents [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]
• Clinical responses as evidenced by increased serum anti-fibril IgG antibody levels post-IGIV infusion and reduction (or no evident progression) in amyloid burden [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

• Level of tolerance for human immune globulin intravenous (IGIV) as reflected by the number and severity of toxicity incidents
• Clinical responses as evidenced by increased serum anti-fibril IgG antibody levels post-IGIV infusion and reduction (or no evident progression) in amyloid burden

RATIONALE: Antibodies, such as human immune globulin, can block the growth of abnormal cells in different ways. Some block the ability of abnormal cells to grow and spread. Others find abnormal cells and help kill them or carry cell-killing substances to them. Giving human immune globulin may be effective in treating patients with primary amyloidosis that is causing heart dysfunction.

PURPOSE: This phase I/II trial is studying the side effects and best dose of human immune globulin and to see how well it works in treating patients with primary amyloidosis that is causing heart dysfunction.

OBJECTIVES:

• Establish the maximum tolerated dose of human immune globulin intravenous (IGIV) given weekly for the first 3 months and then bi-weekly for 9 additional months in patients with cardiac-associated primary amyloidosis.
• Determine the safety, pharmakinetics, and therapeutic efficacy as evidenced by titers of serum fibril-reactive IgG antibodies pre- and post-IGIV infusions.
• Demonstrate stable or improved organ function.

OUTLINE: Patients receive human immune globulin IV (IGIV) once weekly for 3 months and then once biweekly for 9 months, for a total of 12 months in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

Patients undergo blood sample collection to measure serum anti-fibril antibody titers pre- and post- IGIV infusion for assessing safety and response to treatment.

• Biological: therapeutic immune globulin
• Other: laboratory biomarker analysis

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Confirmed diagnosis of cardiac-associated primary (AL) amyloidosis based on accepted clinical and laboratory criteria
• Patients must have heart involvement as evidenced by elevated serum brain natriuretic peptide, troponin levels, and/or 2D echocardiography evidence of a thickened intraventricular septum
• No non-AL amyloidosis

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• Life expectancy > 3 months
• No NYHA class IV heart disease
• No significant comorbidity (e.g., uncontrolled infection, diabetes, or other serious illnesses)

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• Prior or concurrent chemotherapy or other drug-based anti-AL regimes allowed