National "Caméléon" Campaign: The GRACE and CRI-IMIDIATE networks, certified by F-CRIN, are working to improve the screening for cardiac amyloidosis

Carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, hearing problems, osteoarthritis, shortness of breath, or fatigue: taken individually, these symptoms may seem common or related to other conditions. However, when they occur together, they may serve as a warning sign and prompt further investigation for possible amyloidosis. 
This wide range of symptoms explains why cardiac amyloidosis can go unnoticed for several years, thereby delaying its diagnosis and treatment. Gaining a better understanding of the signs suggestive of the disease is therefore essential for referring patients more quickly to appropriate tests and treatment.

Following an initial awareness-raising phase conducted during the summer of 2026, the Caméléon campaign, led by the Amylose network, is entering a new phase with the launch of a major information campaign in preparation for the screening days scheduled to begin on October 26.

More than 50 hospitals in metropolitan France and the overseas territories will take part in this initiative, with the goal of raising awareness about the disease among the general public and healthcare professionals, thereby facilitating its identification and reducing diagnostic delays. 

A press conference held on September 10 marked the launch of this new phase. On that occasion, Prof. Thibaud Damy (AP-HP), Prof. Thomas Bardin (Montsouris Medical-Surgical Institute), Dr. Amaury Broussier (AP-HP), Prof. Laurent Obert (Besançon University Hospital) and Prof. Émilie Béquignon (Créteil Hospital) presented the various manifestations of the disease and the consequences it can have on patients’ health and quality of life. Two patient testimonials also illustrated the difficulties of the diagnostic journey.

The campaign also benefits from the support of several patient associations and partners (notably AFCA, AFLAR, Alliance du Cœur, AVEC, ASPIC, and SIC) as well as from learned societies (SFC, SFR, SFORL, SOFCOT, SFGG, SFCM).

Two research and investigation networks, accredited by the national clinical research infrastructure F-CRIN, are supporting this campaign: 

• The GRACE network, dedicated to clinical research in the field of cardiac amyloidosis, by contributing to the communication efforts carried out during the awareness and information campaign, as well as by participating in the supervision and coordination of the project
• The CRI-IMIDIATE network, dedicated to clinical research in the field of systemic and osteoarticular inflammatory diseases, by helping to disseminate information from the Caméléon Campaign to its members and patients. 

The diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis remains a medical challenge even today, as its early signs are varied, nonspecific, and may involve several medical specialties long before cardiac symptoms appear. It thus illustrates a model of open, interacting networks: since the disease first manifests with rheumatological and ENT signs (carpal tunnel syndrome, tendon ruptures, lumbar spinal stenosis, hearing loss) years before cardiac symptoms appear, it is all of these specialists—rheumatologists, orthopedists, ENT specialists, primary care physicians, and cardiologists—who must learn to recognize it.