The high incidence of varicella herpes zoster with the use of bortezomib in 10 patients.
Bortezomib, a proteasome inhibitor, has been used for patients with refractory and relapsed multiple myeloma, lymphoma and leukemia. We used bortezomib in ten refractory or relapsed patients (seven of multiple myeloma, two of lymphoma and one of acute myeloblastic leukemia). Six out of ten (60%) patients developed varicella herpes zoster after the complete of one cycle of bortezomib. The incidence of varicella herpes zoster was higher than reported in the literature. It may be due to immunosuppression caused by the combination of high-dose dexamethasone or other drugs. We considered that prophylactic antiviral medication could be used in predisposed patients to reduce the incidence of varicella herpes zoster.
Tong
Yin
Y
Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
Qian
Jie
J
Li
Ying
Y
Meng
Hai
H
Jin
Jie
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000677:Amsacrine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001897:Boronic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000069286:Bortezomib; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011719:Pyrazines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014775:Virus Activation
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001897:Boronic Acids; D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D011719:Pyrazines; D000677:Amsacrine; D000069286:Bortezomib; D003907:Dexamethasone; D004317:Doxorubicin