Fig. 2.

Clinical time course. Corticosteroid, azathioprine and IVIg reduced serum VEGF levels and suppressed the disease activity of POEMS syndrome transiently, but the disease relapsed. The value of serum VEGF dramatically increased at the diagnosis of calciphylaxis. After treatment with M-Dex and thalidomide, the VEGF levels decreased. mPSL = High-dose intravenous methylprednisolone (1 g/day, 3 days); PSL = oral prednisolone (20-60 mg/day); IVIg = intravenous immunoglobulin (0.4 g/kg/day, 5 days); M-Dex = melphalan (0.22 mg/kg/day) and dexamethasone (40 mg/day, day 1-4).