Efficacy of lenalidomide plus dexamethasone for POEMS syndrome relapsed after autologous peripheral stem-cell transplantation

Am J Hematol. 2012 Jun;87(6):641-2. doi: 10.1002/ajh.23195. Epub 2012 Apr 10.

Abstract

POEMS syndrome is a rare paraneoplastic condition associated to an underlying plasmacellular dyscrasia. The pathogenesis of POEMS is poorly understood, but overproduction of VEGF, probably secreted by clonal plasma cells, is thought to be responsible for the signs and symptoms of the syndrome, and it seems to be useful for the monitoring of the response to therapy. At present, an effective therapeutic option for the patients is represented by autologous peripheral blood stem-cell transplantation (aPBSCT), although relapses have been described, and there is an important morbidity associated with this procedure. Before the implementation of aPBSCT, the clinical course of POEMS syndrome was characterized by progressive polyneuropathy potentially leading to death for respiratory failure. Given the high serum and plasma levels of VEGF observed in POEMS patients, the use of anti-angiogenetic drugs such as thalidomide and lenalidomide and other drugs with anti-VEGF and anti-TNF effect such as bortezomib have been considered to treat this syndrome. There are evidences of lenalidomide benefit in both front-line and previously treated patients, but scanty data are available about its use for relapse after aPBSCT. Here, we report the successful use of lenalidomide in a patient who relapsed after aPBSCT.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / blood
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Cyclophosphamide / administration & dosage
  • Dexamethasone / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Humerus / pathology
  • Humerus / radiation effects
  • Immunologic Factors / administration & dosage
  • Lenalidomide
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Myeloma / complications
  • Multiple Myeloma / drug therapy*
  • Multiple Myeloma / radiotherapy
  • Multiple Myeloma / surgery
  • Osteosclerosis / etiology
  • Osteosclerosis / radiotherapy
  • POEMS Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • POEMS Syndrome / etiology
  • POEMS Syndrome / surgery
  • Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Prednisolone / administration & dosage
  • Recurrence
  • Salvage Therapy*
  • Thalidomide / administration & dosage
  • Thalidomide / analogs & derivatives
  • Transplantation, Autologous

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Thalidomide
  • Dexamethasone
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Prednisolone
  • Lenalidomide