Post Approval Study of Lixelle for the Treament of Dialysis-Related Amyloidosis
Dialysis-related amyloidosis (DRA) is a serious complication of long-term hemodialysis (HD). Its pathogenic mechanism involves accumulation of β2-microglobulin (β2M) in the blood. β2M is produced by most cells in the body and is metabolized in the kidney in healthy individuals. However, in HD patients with renal dysfunction, β2M which is not removed entirely by HD accumulates excessively in the blood. Then it forms amyloid fibrils that are deposited in bones, joints, and soft tissues.