Drug Interaction Report

MONITOR: The concomitant use of bone marrow depressants and sodium phosphate P-32 may have additive myelosuppressive effects.

MANAGEMENT: Patients should be monitored for excessive bone marrow suppression during treatment with sodium phosphate P-32. Sodium phosphate P-32 should not be used as part of a sequential treatment with a chemotherapeutic agent. Dose reductions of the other bone marrow depressants may be necessary. The manufacturer's labeling should be consulted for more specific recommendations for each agent involved. Patients should be advised to contact their physician if they develop signs and symptoms of myelosuppression such as pallor, dizziness, fatigue, lethargy, fainting, easy bruising or bleeding, or signs of infection such as fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, and other influenza-like symptoms.

GENERALLY AVOID: Data from in vitro and animal (mice) studies suggest that green tea may antagonize the cytotoxic effects of bortezomib. Polyphenols in green tea such as (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) have been shown to block the proteasome inhibitory action of bortezomib in multiple myeloma and glioblastoma cancer cell lines. The mechanism appears to involve a direct chemical reaction between the boronic acid moiety of bortezomib and the 1,2-benzenediol groups present in certain polyphenols leading to inactivation of bortezomib. However, one group of investigators reported that no antagonism of bortezomib was observed in preclinical in vivo experiments where EGCG plasma concentrations are commensurate with dietary or supplemental intake.

MANAGEMENT: Until more data are available, it may be advisable to avoid or limit consumption of green tea and green tea products during treatment with bortezomib. The interaction has not been demonstrated for other, non-boronic acid proteasome inhibitors.