Early diagnosis followed by front-line autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for patients affected by POEMS syndrome.
The acronym POEMS refers to polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M protein, skin changes. This disease is progressive and weakening for patients and lead to death generally for neurological problem without therapy. We treated four patients affected by POEMS syndrome with front-line chemotherapy and autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (aPBSCT). After a median follow-up of 40.5 months (range 12-52), all patients are alive with slow but progressive improvement in neurological disease, skin changes, performance status and without evidence of clonal plasmacytosis and organomegaly. In conclusion early diagnosis is crucial to obtain best response and improve clinical outcome.
Laurenti
Luca
L
Haematology Institute, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy. l.laurenti@rm.unicatt.it
De Matteis
Silvia
S
Sabatelli
Mario
M
Conte
Amelia
A
Chiusolo
Patrizia
P
Sorà
Federica
F
Piccirillo
Nicola
N
Za
Tommaso
T
Tarnani
Michela
M
Rossi
Elena
E
Leone
Giuseppe
G
Sica
Simona
S
D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016878:POEMS Syndrome / Q000628:therapy*; D036102:Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous