Relapse of polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M-protein, and skin changes (POEMS) syndrome without increased level of vascular endothelial growth factor following successful autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation

Neuromuscul Disord. 2009 May;19(5):363-5. doi: 10.1016/j.nmd.2009.02.004. Epub 2009 Mar 6.

Abstract

We report a patient with polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M-protein, and skin changes (POEMS) syndrome who experienced relapse after successful treatment with autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (auto-PBSCT). Interestingly, although vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels were positively correlated with disease activity before and after auto-PBSCT, as expected, levels did not increase at the time of relapse. The patient was treated with doxorubicin, dexamethasone, and diuretics, followed by thalidomide, and remains clinically stable at one year after treatment. This case suggests that VEGF level may not always be indicative of relapse of POEMS syndrome, and that thalidomide is both useful and safe for patients with relapse following successful treatment with auto-PBSCT.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / therapeutic use
  • Biomarkers / analysis
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Blood Transfusion, Autologous / methods*
  • Dexamethasone / therapeutic use
  • Diuretics / therapeutic use
  • Doxorubicin / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / methods*
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Middle Aged
  • POEMS Syndrome / blood
  • POEMS Syndrome / physiopathology*
  • POEMS Syndrome / therapy*
  • Recurrence
  • Stem Cells / physiology
  • Thalidomide / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Failure
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / analysis
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / blood

Substances

  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic
  • Biomarkers
  • Diuretics
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Thalidomide
  • Dexamethasone
  • Doxorubicin