Velcade IV Infusion

Bortezomib is a proteasome inhibitor indicated for:

• Treatment of patients with multiple myeloma
• Treatment of patients with mantle cell lymphoma who have received at least 1 prior therapy

Bortezomib is a reversible inhibitor of the chymotrypsin-like activity of the 26S proteasome in mammalian cells. The 26S proteasome is a large protein complex that degrades ubiquitinated proteins. The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway plays an essential role in regulating the intracellular concentration of specific proteins, thereby maintaining homeostasis within cells. Inhibition of the 26S proteasome prevents this targeted proteolysis, which can affect multiple signaling cascades within the cell. This disruption of normal homeostatic mechanisms can lead to cell death. Experiments have demonstrated that bortezomib is cytotoxic to a variety of cancer cell types in vitro. Bortezomib causes a delay in tumor growth in vivo in nonclinical tumor models, including multiple myeloma.

The recommended dose of Bortezomib is 1.3 mg/m2 administered as a 3 to 5 second bolus intravenous injection. Dose adjustment may be used to manage adverse events that occur during treatment

Ketoconazole: Co-administration of ketoconazole, a potent CYP3A inhibitor, increased the exposure of bortezomib. Therefore, patients should be closely monitored when given bortezomib in combination with potent CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g. ketoconazole, ritonavir).

Melphalan-Prednisone: Co-administration of melphalan prednisone increased the exposure of bortezomib. However, this increase is unlikely to be clinically relevant.

Omeprazole: Co-administration of omeprazole, a potent inhibitor of CYP2C19, had no effect on the exposure of bortezomib.

Cytochrome P450: Patients who are concomitantly receiving Bortezomib and drugs that are inhibitors or inducers of cytochrome P450 3A4 should be closely monitored for either toxicities or reduced efficacy

Bortezomib is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to bortezomib, boron, or mannitol

Most commonly reported adverse reactions (incidence ≥30%) in clinical studies include asthenic conditions, diarrhea, nausea, constipation, peripheral neuropathy, vomiting, pyrexia, thrombocytopenia, psychiatric disorders, anorexia and decreased appetite, neutropenia, neuralgia, leukopenia and anemia. Other adverse reactions, including serious adverse reactions, have been reported

Pregnancy Category D. Women of childbearing potential should avoid becoming pregnant while being treated with Bortezomib. Bortezomib administered to rabbits during organogenesis at a dose approximately 0.5 times the clinical dose of 1.3 mg/m2 based on body surface area caused post implantation loss and a decreased number of live fetuses.

Women should avoid becoming pregnant while being treated with Bortezomib. Pregnant women should be apprised of the potential harm to the fetus

Peripheral neuropathy, including severe cases, may occur - manage with dose modification or discontinuation. Patients with preexisting severe neuropathy should be treated with Bortezomib only after careful risk-benefit assessment.

Hypotension can occur. Caution should be used when treating patients receiving antihypertensives, those with a history of syncope, and those who are dehydrated. 

Patients with risk factors for, or existing heart disease, should be closely monitored.

Acute diffuse infiltrative pulmonary disease has been reported.

Nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting have occurred and may require use of antiemetic and antidiarrheal medications or fluid replacement.

Thrombocytopenia or neutropenia can occur; complete blood counts should be regularly monitored throughout treatment.

Tumor Lysis Syndrome, Reversible Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome, and acute hepatic failure have been reported.

Targeted Cancer Therapy

Unopened vials may be stored at controlled room temperature 25º C