Daily 500 mg valacyclovir is effective for prevention of Varicella zoster virus reactivation in patients with multiple myeloma treated with bortezomib.

BACKGROUND In patients with multiple myeloma (MM), bortezomib is associated with a significant risk of Varicella zoster virus (VZV) reactivation. There are some reports that acyclovir reduces the risk of VZV reactivation. We assessed whether VZV reactivation could be reduced by using prophylactic valacyclovir at a dose of 500 mg daily. PATIENTS AND METHODS We retrospectively evaluated 32 patients with MM who received bortezomib and valacyclovir prophylaxis at the Kanazawa Medical University Hospital. Patients received valacyclovir prophylaxis orally at a dose of 500 mg daily, without cessation during bortezomib treatment. RESULTS The median age was 69 years (range=45-90 years). Fifteen patients were male and seventeen were female. The median bortezomib dose was 37.0 mg/m(2) (range=5.2-167.6 mg/m(2)). All patients also received corticosteroids. The median duration of valacyclovir prophylaxis was 301 days (range=24-1206 days) and the median valacyclovir dose was 150.5 g (range=12-603 g). VZV reactivation developed in only one patient during valacyclovir prophylaxis. VZV reactivation did not develop in three patients who had a past history of VZV reactivation without valacyclovir prophylaxis. Adverse events over grade 3 associated with valacyclovir were not observed. CONCLUSION Valacyclovir at a dose of 500 mg daily appears to be effective at preventing VZV reactivation and was well-tolerated by patients with MM who received bortezomib.