Key Information
At AstraZeneca, we are committed to driving healthcare system transformation to improve outcomes for patients living with amyloidosis around the world. The launch of the global Accelerate Change Together (ACT) on Amyloidosis programme demonstrates our dedication to working with the broader healthcare community to achieve shared goals and transform amyloidosis care.
In collaboration with an international expert steering committee and healthcare systems worldwide, our ambition is to halve the time to diagnosis by 2028 and double the diagnosis rates specifically of transthyretin-mediated amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM), a type of amyloidosis that often leads to heart failure (HF), by 2030. This collaborative approach underscores our commitment to making a meaningful impact on the lives of patients and driving positive change in healthcare.
Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to accelerating change for people living with amyloidosis
The earlier a patient receives an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment, the better the outcome.1-2
Early and accurate diagnosis in ATTR amyloidosis, leading to initiation of guideline-directed medical therapies (GDMT) and treatment, is essential to mitigate the impact of this disease on survival and quality of life (QoL).1 However, life expectancy for patients with ATTR-CM is currently only two to six years after diagnosis.1,11
Barriers to early diagnosis include a lack of proactive screening in those with HF for amyloidosis and subsequent delay in specialist care.12 There is an urgent need to end the loop of misdiagnosis through greater disease awareness and better patient identification.
Driving systemic healthcare changes in amyloidosis diagnosis and treatment
We are enabling proactive patient identification through different diagnostic tools such as artificial intelligence-assisted echocardiography, electronic medical record algorithms, biomarkers and genetic testing. These tools work together to detect the constellation of symptoms and red flags associated with ATTR amyloidosis.
We are also striving to strengthen and expand the referral pathway through disease awareness and education. As scientific advancements improve our ability to identify patients, greater awareness of early disease manifestations and the constellation of red flags becomes essential. This increased awareness helps link patients to the appropriate diagnostic pathways and equips physicians with the necessary resources to support accurate diagnosis and guideline-directed care. Improving healthcare system capacity in this way is crucial as more effective diagnostic tools become available.
With real-world evidence from clinical studies like our ANTHOLOGY programme, we aim to strengthen the rationale for practice change by highlighting the prevalence, disease burden, sustainability impact, and the need for early treatment. Raising global awareness of amyloidosis and emphasising the importance of improved patient identification and timely diagnosis will form the foundation for driving meaningful change.
Initiatives to address the barriers to early diagnosis
We are partnering with advocacy groups to understand patient experience, accelerate referral and diagnosis with appropriate specialists and expand healthcare system capacity. We are also advancing medical education efforts to build awareness of the condition and alert healthcare professionals to potential signs and symptoms of amyloidosis for timely activation and entry into the diagnosis and treatment pathway.