When amyloid proteins are deposited in various tissues and organs, it affects their functionality and leads to a health condition called amyloidosis. Many symptoms of this disease are generalized, which make it difficult to detect at its early stages. The symptoms get more prominent as the condition progresses. Though this health condition cannot be cured, with the help of various methods, its symptoms can be controlled and the production of amyloid proteins can be restricted.

The following methods are effective treatments for amyloidosis

1. Medications
Intake of steroids has shown positive results in patients suffering from amyloidosis. Generally, this form of medication is administered with other forms of steroids.

2. Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the process of using medications to stop the growth and division of cells, thereby destroying them. Though it is commonly used to treat cancer, it is effective for health conditions such as amyloidosis as well. This form of medication can be given either in the form of pills or capsules or through an intravenous process.

3. Targeted therapy
This form of treatment focuses on the specific genes or proteins that are responsible for the occurrence of amyloidosis. It helps block the growth of abnormal cells and also restricts the damage caused to healthy cells. Doctors might run various medical tests to identify the factors responsible for this disease and determine the type of treatment that would be most effective. The following targeted therapies are applied for amyloidosis.

• Monoclonal antibodies
  It targets a particular protein in the abnormal cells and does not affect the cells where the same protein is absent. Another type of monoclonal antibody targets the amyloid protein itself. Many antibodies in this category are being examined in clinical trials.
• Proteasome inhibitors
  The drugs in this category target enzymes named proteasomes that help digest proteins in the cells. Research is being carried out to examine how different drugs treat different types of amyloidosis.

4. Surgery
Surgery used to treat amyloidosis might include a transplant of the affected organs. Transplantation of the liver, heart, or kidney has shown effective results while treating people suffering from various forms of amyloidosis. However, these surgeries are not advisable for all patients, especially the ones who are experiencing a large amount of protein deposition in their organs. A doctor can provide better guidance to determine whether surgeries would be ideal for a patient or not.

5. Peripheral blood stem cell transplant
This treatment method might be effective for patients suffering from different types of amyloidosis. In this method, the plasma cells in the bone marrow that are responsible for amyloid protein production are destroyed initially with the help of high doses of chemotherapy. These cells are then replaced by hematopoietic stem cells which further develop into healthy bone marrow. Hematopoietic stem cells are found in the bone marrow as well as the bloodstream.

Different types of treatment methods have various side effects. As a result, one must consult their doctor to determine the best course of treatment.