Welcome

The Amyloidosis Center of Expertise (GrACE) is part of the University Medical Center Groningen. The broad expertise that the Center has built up since the 1960s allows us to specialize in early recognition, detection, typing, mapping of organ manifestations, treatment and monitoring of amyloidosis in all its forms. Various medical disciplines work together closely to ensure that patients with (suspected) amyloidosis receive the best care. On this website you can learn about the various types of amyloidosis and treatments, the Center of Expertise, and the latest developments.

Mission

The early recognition and treatment of amyloidosis in order to minimise the effects of decline in health. Our focus is therefore on the improvement of diagnosis and the treatment of patients with amyloidosis. In addition, we offer information to patients, physicians and other individuals involved.
You can read here how you can support us financially.

Who we are

The Groningen Amyloidosis Center of Expertise is a collaboration of various disciplines at the University Medical Center Groningen, engaged in diagnosis and treatment of systemic and localised amyloidosis. The department of Internal Medicine has a coordinating role.

News

 

Telephone nursing consultation hour closed from March 18 2024
If you have any questions, please contact the Dermatology and Internal Medicine outpatient clinic during office hours or send a message to mijnumcg.nl
See also our Contactpage

 

Meeting day, organized by Amyloidosis Netherlands, on June 8, 2024 from 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM in Nijkerk
This meeting is organized for patients, their loved ones, physicians and other interested parties
Visit the website of Amyloidosis Netherlands for more information

 

First evidence that cardiac ATTR amyloidosis can be cleared with antibodies
At the European Heart Failure Congress in Prague this month, the results of the first human study with an antibody against ATTR amyloidosis were presented. The Groningen Amyloidosis Centre of Expertise (GrACE) was one of the 6 European research centres involved. The study showed for the first time that the treatment was safe and showed an approximately 50% reduction in the amount of amyloid in the heart 12 months after treatment. The results of this study were published in New England Journal of Medicine.
Heart failure due to ATTR amyloidosis is a serious disease with a poor prognosis. Patients have symptoms of shortness of breath and reduced exercise capacity due to deposition of protein aggregates (amyloid) in the heart. This causes a thickened and stiff heart muscle. Current treatment consists of stabilizing the disease with drugs. Until now, there was no way to clear away the amyloid already present.
“Capturing amyloid in the heart is a logical step to improve heart function,” according to Peter van der Meer, cardiologist at UMCG and one of the co-authors of the paper published in the New England Journal of Medicine. “The results of this phase 1 study are promising, but more research is needed to determine the effectiveness of the drug on symptoms and prognosis.”
Hans Nienhuis, internist at UMCG and coordinator of the Groningen Amyloidosis Centre of Expertise: “A treatment to clean up amyloid would be an important addition to current treatments that allow us to reduce the production of new amyloid and, in the most favourable case, stop disease progression. Patients often have a high burden of disease; this treatment has the potential to reduce that. This study shows that by administering an antibody directed against amyloid, it is possible to induce the immune system to clear the amyloid.”
According to Van der Meer and Nienhuis, there will be follow-up research, which will focus on improving symptoms and prognosis. The UMCG will also play a role in this research.

 

Cardiac amyloidosis quartet game
Collaboration between patient representatives and the Amyloidosis Expertise Center in the UMCG (GrACE) has led to the design of a quartet game about cardiac amyloidosis.
Patient organization Amyloidosis Netherlands Foundation (SAN) is the publisher of this quartet game and thanks to financial support, this game is available to interested physicians and other interested parties.

 

“Living with hereditary amyloidosis”, an impressive documentary
This documentary tells candidly what it is like to grow up in a family with hereditary amyloidosis with a special contribution from Dr Bouke Hazenberg.
The film was made possible by Pfizer in collaboration with the patient association Stichting Amyloidosis Nederland. They will distribute the film worldwide to (potential) patients and their families as well as to doctors. Production and interview: Volle Maan.
The link for the approximately 30 minute film, with English subtitles, can be found here
Expertisenetwerk Amyloïdose
December 2019 on-line