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ObjectivePOEMS (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M-protein and skin changes) syndrome is a rare multisystem disease characterised by plasma cell dyscrasia and overproduction of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). VEGF is assumed to be useful in monitoring disease activity, because VEGF levels usually decrease after treatment. However, there is no study to investigate whether the extent of decrease in VEGF correlates with clinical outcome. We tested the predictive efficacy of serum VEGF levels in POEMS syndrome.MethodThis was an institutional review board approved retrospective observational cohort study of 20 patients with POEMS monitored regularly for more than 12 months (median follow-up, 87 months) after treatment onset using our prospectively accumulated database of POEMS from 1999 to 2015. Patients were treated by autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation or thalidomide administration. Serum VEGF was measured by ELISA. Outcome measures included clinical and laboratory findings and relapse-free survival.ResultsSerum VEGF levels decreased rapidly after treatment, and stabilised by 6 months post treatment. Patients with normalised serum VEGF levels (<1040 pg/mL) at 6 months showed prolonged relapse-free survival (HR=12.81, 95% CI 2.691 to 90.96; p=0.0001) and greater later clinical improvement. The rate of serum VEGF reduction over the first 6 months post treatment correlated with increased grip strength, serum albumin levels, and compound muscle action potential amplitudes at 12 months.ConclusionsSerum VEGF level at 6 months post treatment is a predicative biomarker for disease activity and prognosis in POEMS syndrome. Serum VEGF could be used as a surrogate endpoint for relapse-free survival or clinical or laboratory improvement of POEMS syndrome for clinical trials.

IntroductionThe Abscopal effect refers to radiation-induced tumor regression in lesions that are distant from a targeted site, and has been recognized for six decades as a rare, unexplained phenomenon in patients receiving local radiotherapy [1]. According to our knowledge, the radiation therapy is not available in patients with multiple metastatic cancer. The abscopal effect is observed outside the treated field of radiation, but it is underrecognized in the clinical practice [2,3]. Recent studies have suggested that the Abscopal effect may result from radiotherapyinduced immune system-mediated cancer cell death [4][5][6]. In support of this hypothesis, the Abscopal effect was reported in a patient who was treated with ipilimumab and fractionated radiotherapy [7]. However, the possibility that ipilimumab alone might be responsible for the patient's response cannot be ruled out, because some non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients receiving immunotherapeutic agents such as nivolumab achieved good responses and longer progressionfree survival rates [8,9].We encountered a patient with metastatic NSCLC who experienced the Abscopal effect after whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) and palliative radiation for vertebral metastasis in a patient. Case PresentationA 63-year-old man who was a current smoker (40 cigarettes a day for 43 years) presented with worsening dysgraphia and memory impairment. Chest radiography and computed tomography (CT) revealed a 4 cm solitary tumor in the upper lobe of the left lung with mediastinal lymphadenopathy, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a 3 cm solitary tumor, assumed to be a metastatic lesion, with cerebral edema extending from the left temporal lobe to the occipital lobe. Bronchoscopic cytology from the lung tumor revealed malignant cells that were consistent with NSCLC. Bone scintigraphy with AbstractIntroduction: The Abscopal effect refers to radiotherapy-induced tumor regression in lesions distant from a targeted site, and is a rare phenomenon in patients receiving local radiotherapy. This report is the first to describe an Abscopal response in a chemotherapy-naïve non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patient following whole-brain radiotherapy as well as palliative radiotherapy.

BackgroundGuillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an immune-mediated neuropathy that causes acute flaccid paralysis. Immunoglobulin and plasma exchange are established treatments for GBS; however, a substantial number of patients, particularly those with severe disease, have poor recovery and residual deficits. Recent studies suggest that complement activation plays a pivotal role in GBS-associated axonal degeneration, and eculizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that specifically binds to complement component 5 and potently inhibits complement activation.ObjectiveThis clinical trial aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of eculizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody directed against complement component 5, for treatment of GBS.MethodsThe Japanese Eculizumab Trial for GBS (JET-GBS) is a prospective, multicenter, placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized phase II study conducted at 13 tertiary neurology centers and is funded by the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development. A total of 33 GBS patients unable to walk independently within 2 weeks from symptom onset (Hughes functional grade 3-5) were randomized at a 2:1 ratio to receive either intravenous eculizumab (900 mg/day) or placebo once weekly for 4 weeks, followed by 20 weeks of follow-up. The primary endpoint for efficacy is the proportion of patients who regain their ability to walk without aid at 4 weeks after the first dose of the study treatment, while primary safety outcomes are the incidence of adverse events and serious adverse events during the trial.ResultsEnrollment for the trial began in August 2015. This trial is still ongoing. All participants have been enrolled, and follow-up will be completed in October 2016.ConclusionsThis study is the first to investigate the efficacy and safety of eculizumab for GBS. In case of a positive result, we will plan a phase III trial to investigate this issue in a larger number of patients.ClinicalTrialUMIN Clinical Trials Registry UMIN 000018171; https:/upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr/ctr.cgi?function= brows&action=brows&type=summary&language=J&recptno=R000020978 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/ 6lTiG8ltG). Clinical Trials.gov NCT02493725; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02493725 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6lVJZXKSL)

Objective A randomized controlled trial has shown the efficacy of thalidomide against Polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M-protein, and skin changes (POEMS) syndrome; however, there are still refractory patients. We studied the effects of lenalidomide, a derivative of thalidomide, on patients refractory to thalidomide. Methods This prospective single-arm trial evaluated the safety and efficacy of lenalidomide plus dexamethasone in refractory or recurrent patients with POEMS syndrome. The regimen was administered as six 28-day cycles with lenalidomide on days 1-21 (15 mg in cycle 1, and 25 mg in cycle 2-6) plus dexamethasone once a week (20 mg). The primary endpoints were the rate of reduction in the serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level at 24 weeks and the incidence of adverse events. This trial was registered with ClinicalTrial.gov, NCT02193698. Results Between July 2014 and December 2015, five men were enrolled. All patients had been refractory to thalidomide plus dexamethasone for more than 24 weeks. The mean rate of reduction in the serum VEGF level at 24 weeks was 59.6%±8.3% (p=0.0003). The mean serum VEGF level decreased from 2,466±771 pg/ mL to 974±340 pg/mL. No serious adverse events were observed, and all patients completed six cycles treatment. Discussion Lenalidomide is a therapeutic option for thalidomide-refractory patients with POEMS syndrome.

IntroductionPolyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M-protein and skin changes (POEMS) syndrome is a fatal systemic disorder associated with plasma cell dyscrasia and the overproduction of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Recently, the prognosis of POEMS was substantially improved by introduction of therapeutic intervention for myeloma. However, no randomised clinical trial has been performed because of the rarity and severity of the disease.Methods and analysisThe Japanese POEMS syndrome with Thalidomide (J-POST) Trial is a phase II/III multicentre, double-blinded, randomised, controlled trial that aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a 24-week treatment with thalidomide in POEMS syndrome, with an additional 48-week open-label safety study. Adults with POEMS syndrome who have no indication for transplantation are assessed for eligibility at 12 tertiary neurology centres in Japan. Patients who satisfy the eligibility criteria are randomised (1:1) to receive thalidomide (100–300 mg daily) plus dexamethasone (12 mg/m2 on days 1–4 of a 28-day cycle) or placebo plus dexamethasone. Both treatments were administered for 24 weeks (six cycles; randomised comparative study period). Patients who complete the randomised study period or show subacute deterioration during the randomised period participate in the subsequent 48-week open-label safety study (long-term safety period). The primary end point of the study is the reduction rate of serum VEGF levels at 24 weeks.Ethics and disseminationThe protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board of each hospital. The trial was notified and registered at the Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Agency, Japan (No. 22-1716). The J-POST Trial is currently ongoing and is due to finish in August 2015. The findings of this trial will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations and will also be disseminated to participants.Trial registration numberUMIN000004179 and JMA-IIA00046.

Autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (APAP) is caused by macrophage dysfunction due to antigranulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) autoantibody. We experienced 2 cases of APAP complicated with sarcoidosis in a 42-year-old woman and a 51-year-old man (age at the sarcoidosis diagnosis). APAP preceded sarcoidosis in the woman, and both diseases were diagnosed simultaneously in the man. Sarcoidosis lesions were observed in the lung, skin, and eyes, and the pathological findings of APAP were not marked at the diagnosis of sarcoidosis in either case. Low-grade positive serum anti-GM-CSF autoantibody was suspected to be correlated with the occurrence of sarcoidosis and resolution of APAP.