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  • Title: Neurologic improvement after peripheral blood stem cell transplantation in POEMS syndrome.
    Author: Kuwabara S, Misawa S, Kanai K, Suzuki Y, Kikkawa Y, Sawai S, Hattori T, Nishimura M, Nakaseko C.
    Journal: Neurology; 2008 Nov 18; 71(21):1691-5. PubMed ID: 18832140.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: Polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M-protein, and skin changes (POEMS) syndrome is a rare multisystem disorder associated with plasma cell dyscrasia. There is increasing evidence that high-dose chemotherapy with autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (Auto-PBSCT) is an efficacious treatment. OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the extent and time course of neurologic improvement after Auto-PBSCT in patients with POEMS syndrome. METHODS: Clinical and electrophysiologic findings in nine patients were reviewed. The median follow-up period was 20 months (range, 8 to 49 months). Serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: Serum VEGF levels rapidly decreased a month after Auto-PBSCT. Within 3 months, neurologic improvement began, and all the patients showed substantial neurologic recovery during the next 3 months. Particularly, three initially chairbound patients regained ability to walk at 6 months. Nerve conduction studies showed significant increases in conduction velocities and amplitudes within 6 months of treatment. At the end of follow-up periods, neuropathy was still improving, and no patients had recurrence of symptoms. CONCLUSION: Autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation results in obvious neurologic improvement within 6 months, presumably by extensive axonal regeneration and remyelination. This therapy could be considered as a first line treatment for patients with polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M-protein, and skin changes syndrome with younger onset even if they are tetraplegic.
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