1. Severe bone marrow depression induced by an anticancer herb Cantharanthus roseus
- Author
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Wu, Ming-Ling, Deng, Jou-Fang, Wu, Jaw-Ching Fan, Frank S., and Yang, Ching-Fen
- Subjects
Pancytopenia -- Case studies ,Cancer patients -- Case studies ,Antimitotic agents -- Adverse and side effects ,Antineoplastic agents -- Adverse and side effects ,Environmental issues ,Health ,Pharmaceuticals and cosmetics industries - Abstract
We report a 67-yr-old woman with hepatitis C related liver cirrhosis and hepatoma who had developed severe bone marrow suppression after taking Cantharanthus roseus as an alternative anticancer treatment. The patient developed severe pancytopenia with initial presentations of vomiting, diarrhea, oral ulcer, and fever about 1 week after taking 5-days' course of Cantharanthus roseus. Bone marrow biopsy showed autolysis, which indicated massive necrosis of the hematopoietic cells. There was no malignant cell infiltration. The patient also bad severe gastrointestinal disturbances, bacteremia, urinary tract infection, and impaired renal and liver function. Supportive care with broad-spectrum antibiotics, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, repeated blood transfusions, and albumin supplement was given. She recovered and was discharged after 48 days hospitalization. Coadministration of Cantharanthus roseus and cisapride was noted, and these two drugs are both substrates of cytochrome P450 3A4 enzymes (CYP 3A4). Because the vinca alkaloids are extensively metabolized by the liver cytochrome P450 enzymes, poor hepatic function and drug-herb interaction might predispose the patient to develop the bone marrow toxicity. This case report demonstrated possible effect of oral dose of vinca alkaloids and also hinted that all the substrates and inhibitors of CYP 3A4 have propensity to interfere with metabolism of vinca alkaloids. Key Words: Cantharanthus roseus; Vinca alkaloids; Herbal poisoning; Bone marrow suppression; Drug interaction., INTRODUCTION Cantharanthus roseus, a common potted plant, a species of myrtle, belongs to the family Apocynaceae (1,2). It is a herbaceous subshrub, 40-80 cm high, becoming woody at the base. [...]
- Published
- 2004