PFIZER CALLS FOR MORE AWARENESS OF TRANSTHYRETIN AMYLOID CARDIOMYOPATHY (ATTR-CM) – A RARE, LIFE-THREATENING DISEASE

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, May 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — In an effort to encourage people to take care of their heart health, Pfizer Malaysia is calling for Malaysians to learn more about transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM), a rare, life-threatening disease.

ATTR-CM is caused by unstable transthyretin proteins that misfold and aggregate into amyloid fibrils that build up in the heart and other parts of the body[1]. This build-up of amyloid then causes the heart muscle to stiffen over time, eventually leading to heart failure.[1]

Luksanawan Thangpaibool, Country Manager and Cluster Lead, Pfizer Malaysia, Brunei and Pakistan shared, “It is Pfizer’s goal to raise awareness for the disease centred around driving early detection of ATTR-CM, which can greatly improve quality of life of Malaysian patients living with the condition.”

She added, “ATTR-CM is still widely unknown as it is a rare disease that can often be overlooked as a cause of heart failure[1]. Not many people are aware of ATTR-CM. Although patients with ATTR-CM can access treatment options, late detection causes delays in these treatments, affecting the patients’ condition.[2] This is why at Pfizer, we believe that driving awareness is crucial – to help more people learn about ATTR-CM and the importance of early detection in treating those with the disease.”

ATTR-CM, Often Underdiagnosed and Overlooked

“Diagnosis of ATTR-CM was often delayed or underdiagnosed due to the lack of optimal diagnostic modalities,” said Dato’ Dr Azmee Mohd Ghazi, Consultant Cardiologist and Clinical Director, Heart Failure and Heart Transplant at the National Heart Institute.

Symptoms of ATTR-CM are not specific or may seem like symptoms caused by other conditions, such as an abnormal heart rhythm, muscle weakness, bladder dysfunction.[3] It predominantly affects men over 60 years.[4]

Dato’ Dr Azmee further elaborated, “ATTR-CM can lead to progressive heart failure, arrhythmias, and conduction system diseases, all of which can result in sudden cardiac death due to fatal arrhythmias or complete heart block.[1] Once diagnosed, the average life expectancy for people with ATTR-CM is about two to 3.5 years, depending on the sub-type, if left untreated.[2]“

“Given how similar ATTR-CM symptoms are to other diseases’ symptoms, getting an accurate diagnosis from the onset can be an uphill battle for patients.[1] However, medical advancements ensure that there are multiple channels to diagnose ATTR-CM, including nuclear scintigraphy and echocardiography.[1] Studies also found that a multidisciplinary approach involving multiple health departments works best to facilitate earlier diagnosis and management of the patient’s condition,[5]” Dato’ Dr Azmee concluded.

Luksanawan reiterated, “Information is a powerful tool, and we believe everyone deserves to have knowledge that helps them live healthy lives. We encourage everyone to take a moment to learn about ATTR-CM, and how it can affect you or the people around you. It can end up saving lives. At Pfizer’s Rare Disease unit, we will continue to research various rare diseases, including ATTR-CM, to help improve the lives of patients worldwide.”

Infographic references:

1.  What is ATTR-CM:

Gonzalez-Lopez. E. et al. 2017). Diagnosis and treatment of transthyretin cardiac amvloidosis. Progress and hope. Revista Espanola de Cardiología (English Edition), 70(11), 991-1004.

2.  Symptoms of ATTR-CM:

Jefferson R Roberts, M. D. (2022). Transthyretin-related amyloidosis. Practice    Essentials, Background, Pathophysiology Accessed on 26 Jan 2023.
https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/335301-overview 

About Pfizer Rare Disease
Rare disease includes some of the most serious of all illnesses and impacts millions of patients worldwide, representing an opportunity to apply our knowledge and expertise to help make a significant impact on addressing unmet medical needs. The Pfizer focus on rare disease builds on more than two decades of experience, a dedicated research unit focusing on rare disease, and a global portfolio of multiple medicines within a number of disease areas of focus, including rare hematologic, neurologic, cardiac and inherited metabolic disorders.

Pfizer Rare Disease combines pioneering science and deep understanding of how diseases work with insights from innovative strategic collaborations with academic researchers, patients, and other companies to deliver transformative treatments and solutions. We innovate every day leveraging our global footprint to accelerate the development and delivery of groundbreaking medicines and the hope of cures.

Click here to learn more about our Rare Disease portfolio and how we empower patients, engage communities in our clinical development programs, and support programs that heighten disease awareness.

About Pfizer: Breakthroughs That Change Patients’ Lives
At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to bring therapies to people that extend and significantly improve their lives. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacture of healthcare products, including innovative medicines and vaccines. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as one of the world’s premier innovative biopharmaceutical companies, we collaborate with healthcare providers, governments and local communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable healthcare around the world. For more than 170 years, we have worked to make a difference for all who rely on us. To learn more, please visit us www.Pfizer.com.my and https://www.facebook.com/PfizerMY/.

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SOURCE Pfizer Malaysia