TEMPI: A Reversible Syndrome Following Treatment with Bortezomib

• Published in: Blood 2012-11, Vol.120 (21), p.986-986
• Main Authors: Schroyens, Wilfried A., O'Connell, Casey L., Lacy, Martha Q, Attar, Eyal C., Raje, Noopur, Somer, Bradley G., Rosado, Flavia G, Hoyer, James, Feinstein, Donald I., Sykes, David B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0006-4971; 1528-0020
• DOI: 10.1182/blood.V120.21.986.986

Abstract 986 In 2011, we described the TEMPI syndrome in three patients, a rare condition characterized by the pentad of (1) Telangiectasias, (2) elevated Erythropoietin and resulting erythrocytosis, (3) Monoclonal gammopathy, (4) Perinephric fluid collections, and (5) Intrapulmonary shunting. Since this publication, two additional living patients have been identified. Of note, all patients carried a diagnosis of unexplained polycythemia for many years to decades prior to the realization that the erythrocytosis was only one part of a more complex syndrome. The underlying pathophysiology of the TEMPI syndrome is unknown. Given that the patients did not exhibit symptoms until their 3rd or 4th decade, we felt that the TEMPI syndrome was more likely to be acquired and less likely to be congenital. We hypothesized that the monoclonal paraprotein may play a role in triggering this very unusual pattern of symptoms. Based on this hypothesis, the patients began empiric treatment with the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib, either alone, or as part of an induction regimen prior to autologous stem cell transplantation. The first patient to receive bortezomib, a 48 year old woman, received 8 cycles of intravenous bortezomib, given in standard fashion. Her telangiectasias, which were concentrated over her lips and torso, disappeared rapidly. Her bilateral perinephric fluid collections disappeared and her serum erythropoietin normalized from a peak of >5000 mIU/ml. By the end of the 8 cycles, her IgG kappa paraprotein became undetectable. Before treatment, she was hypoxic to such a degree that she required a wheelchair and continuous supplemental oxygen. Following treatment, her intrapulmonary shunting resolved, her oxygen saturation normalized, and she has resumed jogging. She remains in a complete remission, now fifteen months after her last dose of bortezomib. The second patient, a 55 year old woman, had undergone surgical fenestration of the renal capsule to allow for drainage of the perinephric fluid into her abdomen. The fluid was produced at such a rate that she required regular paracentesis to remove the resulting ascites. She received 6 cycles of intravenous bortezomib. Her telangiectasias resolved, her serum erythropoietin normalized from a peak of 507 mIU/ml, her paO2 improved, and production of perinephric fluid decreased. However, after four months off treatment, the concentration of her IgG kappa paraprotein began to increase, as did her serum erythropoietin.