Varicella-zoster virus prophylaxis with the traditional Chinese medicine Radix isatidis (Banlangen) in patients with multiple myeloma treated with bortezomib.

摘要

Bortezomib has contributed to the remarkable advancement of the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma (MM). The common side-effects of bortezomib are peripheral neuropathy, thrombocytopenia, weakness, and gastrointestinal toxidty. Recently, an increased incidence of varicella zoster virus (VZV) reactivation (herpes zoster) was reported in patients with MM undergoing treatment with bortezomib.1'2 Based on these observations, VZV prophylaxis was recommended in subsequent clinical trials, and the incidence decreased markedly after acyclovir prophylaxis was administered. Dasanu et al. state that the use of long-term acyclovir prophylaxis could cause significant renal and neurological toxidty.