OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (auto-PBSCT) after high dose melphalan in patients with POEMS syndrome.

METHODSNine patients including 6 males and 3 females received 10 auto-PBSCT after high dose melphalan in our hospital from June 2005 to October 2009. The median age at transplantation was 44 (39 - 48) years. The median time from onset of disease to transplantation was 12 (5 - 60) months. Peripheral stem cells were mobilized by G-CSF alone in one patient and 8 patients by G-CSF plus chemotherapy. Two patients were conditioned by melphalan 140 mg/m(2) and 7 by melphalan 200 mg/m(2). The median number of MNC was 3.75 (1.05 - 8.33) × 10(8)/kg, and that of CD34(+) cell was 5.37 (1.32 - 10.90) × 10(6)/kg.

RESULTOne patient received tandem auto-PBSCT and others received single one. Stem cell engrafted in all but 1 patient who died of severe infection and acute renal failure on day 9 after transplantation. Eight patients were evaluable for response. The median time to ANC ≥ 0.5 × 10(9)/L and platelet ≥ 20 × 10(9)/L was 10 (9 - 11) and 11.5 (9 - 14) days respectively. Two patient reached negative immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE) after stem cell mobilization and transplantation respectively, and the other 6 remained IFE postive after auto-PBSCT. Skin changes and edema of lower extremities were improved in 5 of 6 patients, lymphadenopathy relieved in 1 and papilledema improved in 2 of 3 patients. All but 1 patient achieved gradual neurologic improvement after transplantation.

CONCLUSIONPBSCT is an effective and safe therapy for POEMS syndrome patients with low treatment related mortality.