BORTEZOMIB (VELCADE)

The solubility of bortezomib, as the monomeric boronic acid, is 3.3 to 3.8 mg/mL in a pH range of 2 to 6.5.

In water, 3.3 to 3.8 mg/mL in a pH range of 2 to 6.5 (as the monomeric boronic acid)

5.32e-02 g/L

Breast Feeding; Lactation; Milk, Human; Antineoplastic Agents; Proteasome Inhibitors

FDA approved drugs -> Active ingredient

EMA approved medicines: Human medicine

EMA approved medicines: Human medicine

EMA approved medicines: Human medicine

EMA approved medicines: Human medicine

Danger

H300 (86.7%): Fatal if swallowed [Danger Acute toxicity, oral]

P203, P260, P264, P264+P265, P270, P273, P280, P301+P316, P302+P352, P305+P351+P338, P318, P319, P321, P330, P332+P317, P337+P317, P362+P364, P391, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)

Aggregated GHS information provided per 45 reports by companies from 12 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory. Each notification may be associated with multiple companies.

The Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations List identifies currently marketed prescription drug products, incl bortezomib, approved on the basis of safety and effectiveness by FDA under sections 505 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

/PRECAUTIONS FOR ANTINEOPLASTIC AGENTS:/ Methods for transporting hazardous drugs to the health-care setting should be consistent with environmental protection and national or local regulations for transporting hazardous substances. When hazardous drugs are being transported to the home-care setting, appropriate containers (eg, lined cardboard boxes) and procedures should be used to prevent breakage and contain leakage. ... The drugs must be securely capped or sealed and properly packaged and protected during transport to reduce further the chance of breakage and spillage in a public area such as a corridor or elevator. /Antineoplastic agents/

/PRECAUTIONS FOR ANTINEOPLASTIC AGENTS:/ Spill kits containing all materials needed to clean up spills of hazardous drugs should be assembled or purchased. These kits should be readily available in all areas where hazardous drugs are routinely handled. If hazardous drugs are being prepared or administered in a nonroutine area (home setting or unusual patient-care area), a spill kit should be obtained by the drug handler. The kit should include two pairs of disposable gloves (one outer pair of utility gloves and one inner latex pair); low-permeability, disposable protective garments (coveralls or gown and shoe covers); safety glasses or splash goggles; respirator; absorbent, plastic-backed sheets or spill pads; disposable toweling; at least 2 sealable thick plastic hazardous waste disposal bags (prelabeled with an appropriate warning label); a disposable scoop for collecting glass fragments; and a puncture-resistant container for glass fragments. All individuals who routinely handle hazardous drugs must be trained in proper spill management and cleanup procedures. Spills and breakages must be cleaned up immediately according to the following procedures. If the spill is not located in a confined space, the spill area should be identified and other people should be prevented from approaching and spreading the contamination. Wearing protective apparel from the spill kit, workers should remove any broken glass fragments and place them in the puncture-resistant container. Liquids should be absorbed with a spill pad; powder should be removed with damp disposable gauze pads or soft toweling. The hazardous material should be completely removed and the area rinsed with water and then cleaned with detergent. The spill cleanup should proceed progressively from areas of lesser to greater contamination. The detergent should be thoroughly rinsed and removed. All contaminated materials should be placed in the disposal bags provided and sealed and transported to a designated containment receptacle. Spills occurring in the biohazard cabinet should be cleaned up immediately; a spill kit should be used if the volume exceeds 150 ml or the contents of one drug vial or ampule. If there is broken glass, utility gloves should be worn to remove it and place it in the puncture-resistant container located in the biohazard cabinet. The biological safety cabinet, including the drain spillage trough, should be thoroughly cleaned. If the spill is not easily and thoroughly contained, the biological safety cabinet should be decontaminated after cleanup. If the spill contaminates the high efficiency particulate air filter, use of the biological safety cabinet should be suspended until the cabinet has been decontaminated and the high efficiency particulate air filter replaced. /Antineoplastic agents/

/PRECAUTIONS FOR ANTINEOPLASTIC AGENTS:/ If hazardous drugs are routinely prepared or administered in carpeted areas, special equipment is necessary to remove the spill. Absorbent powder should be substituted for pads or sheets and left in place on the spill for the time recommended by the manufacturer. The powder should then be picked up with a small vacuum unit reserved for hazardous drug cleanup. The carpet should then be cleaned according to usual procedures. The vacuum bag should be removed and discarded or cleaned, and the exterior of the vacuum cleaner should be washed with detergent and rinsed before being covered and stored. The contaminated powder should be discarded into a sealable plastic bag and segregated with other contaminated waste materials. Alternatively, inexpensive wet or dry vacuum units may be purchased for this express use and used with appropriate cleaners. All such units are contaminated, once used, and must be cleaned, stored, and ultimately discarded /properly/ ... The circumstances and handling of spills should be documented. Health-care personnel exposed during spill management should also complete an incident report or exposure form. /Antineoplastic agents/

SRP: At the time of review, criteria for land treatment or burial (sanitary landfill) disposal practices are subject to significant revision. Prior to implementing land disposal of waste residue (including waste sludge), consult with environmental regulatory agencies for guidance on acceptable disposal practices.

/PRECAUTIONS FOR ANTINEOPLASTIC AGENTS:/ All contaminated disposables should be contained in sealable bags for transfer to larger waste containers. /Antineoplastic agents/

/PRECAUTIONS FOR ANTINEOPLASTIC AGENTS:/ All bottles must be discarded as contaminated waste after decontamination of the biohazard cabinet. All protective apparel (gown, gloves, goggles, and respirator) should be discarded as contaminated waste. /Antineoplastic agents/

/PRECAUTIONS FOR ANTINEOPLASTIC AGENTS:/ The contaminated filters must be removed, bagged in thick plastic and prepared for disposal in a hazardous waste dump site or incinerator licensed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). /Antineoplastic agents/

For more Disposal Methods (Complete) data for BORTEZOMIB (8 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

/PRECAUTIONS FOR ANTINEOPLASTIC AGENTS:/ Accidental contamination of the health-care environment, resulting in exposure of personnel, patients, visitors, and family members to hazardous substances, is prevented by maintaining the physical integrity and security of packages of hazardous drugs. 1. Access to all areas where hazardous drugs are stored is limited to specified authorized staff. 2. A method should be present for identifying to personnel those drugs that require special precautions (eg, cytotoxics). One way to accomplish this is to apply appropriate warning labels to all hazardous drug containers, shelves, and bins where the drug products are stored. ... 3. A method of identifying, for patients and family members, those drugs that require special precautions in the home should be in place. This may be accomplished in the health-care setting, by providing specific labeling for discharge medications, along with written instructions. 4. Methods for identifying shipping cartons of hazardous drugs should be required from manufacturers and distributors of these drugs. 5. Written procedures for handling damaged packages of hazardous drugs should be maintained. Personnel involved in shipping and receiving hazardous drugs should be trained in these procedures, including the proper use of protective garments and equipment. Damaged shipping cartons of hazardous drugs should be received and opened in an isolated area (eg, in a laboratory fume hood, if available, not in a vertical laminar airflow biological safety cabinet used for preparing sterile products). /Antineoplastic agents/

/PRECAUTIONS FOR ANTINEOPLASTIC AGENTS:/ Facilities (eg, shelves, carts, counters, and trays) for storing hazardous drugs are designed to prevent breakage and to limit contamination in the event of leakage. Bins, shelves with barriers at the front, or other design features that reduce the chance of drug containers falling to the floor should be used. Hazardous drugs requiring refrigeration should be stored separately from nonhazardous drugs in individual bins designed to prevent breakage and to contain leakage. /Antineoplastic agents/

/PRECAUTIONS FOR ANTINEOPLASTIC AGENTS:/ Until the reproductive risks (or lack thereof) associated with handling hazardous drugs within a safety program have been substantiated, staff who are pregnant or breast-feeding should be allowed to avoid contact with these drugs. Policies should be in effect that provide these individuals with alternative tasks or responsibilities if they so desire. /Antineoplastic agents/

/PRECAUTIONS FOR ANTINEOPLASTIC AGENTS:/ The pharmacy should provide access to information on toxicity, treatment of acute exposure (if available), chemical inactivators, solubility and stability of hazardous drugs (including investigational agents) used in the workplace. /Antineoplastic agents/

For more Preventive Measures (Complete) data for BORTEZOMIB (19 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

/PRECAUTIONS FOR ANTINEOPLASTIC AGENTS:/ Protective apparel: Disposable closed-front gown or coveralls, disposable utility gloves over disposable latex gloves, NIOSH-approved air-purifying half-mask respirator equipped with a high efficiency filter, and eye protection should be worn. /Antineoplastic agents/

/PRECAUTIONS FOR ANTINEOPLASTIC AGENTS:/ Class 100 clean-air work stations, both horizontal and vertical airflow (with no containment characteristics), are inappropriate engineering controls for handling hazardous drugs because they provide no personnel protection and permit environmental contamination. Although there are no engineering controls designed specifically for the safe handling of hazardous chemicals as sterile products, Class II contained vertical-flow biological safety cabinets (biohazard cabinets) have been adopted for this use. Biohazard cabinetry is, however, designed for the handling of infectious agents, not hazardous chemicals. ... Based on design, ease of use, and cost considerations, Class II contained-vertical-flow biohazard cabinetry is currently recommended for use in preparing sterile doses of hazardous drugs. Class II cabinetry design and performance specifications are defined in NSF Standard 49. Biological safety cabinets selected for use with hazardous drugs should meet NSF Standard 49 specifications to ensure the maximum protection from these engineering controls. /Antineoplastic agents/

/PRECAUTIONS FOR ANTINEOPLASTIC AGENTS:/ Workers should wear powder free, disposable surgical latex gloves of good quality when preparing hazardous drugs. Selection criteria for gloves should include thickness (especially at the fingertips where stress is the greatest), fit, length, and tactile sensation. ... The practice of double gloving is supported by research that indicates that many glove materials vary in drug permeability even within lots; therefore, double gloving is recommended. ... In general, surgical latex gloves fit better, have appropriate elasticity for double gloving and maintaining the integrity of the glove-gown interface, and have sufficient tactile sensation (even during double gloving) for stringent aseptic procedures. ... Powdered gloves should be avoided. /Antineoplastic agents/

/PRECAUTIONS FOR ANTINEOPLASTIC AGENTS:/ Workers who are not protected by the containment environment of a biohazard cabinet should use respiratory protection when handling hazardous drugs. Respiratory protection should be an adjunct to and not a substitute for engineering controls. Surgical masks of all types provide no respiratory protection against powdered or liquid aerosols of hazardous drugs. In situations where workers may be exposed to potential eye contact with hazardous drugs, an appropriate plastic face shield or splash goggles should be worn. /Antineoplastic agents/

/PRECAUTIONS FOR ANTINEOPLASTIC AGENTS:/ During compounding of hazardous drugs (eg, crushing, dissolving, and preparing an ointment), workers should wear low permeability gowns and double gloves. Compounding should take place in a protective area such as a disposable glove box. If compounding must be done in the open, an area away from drafts and traffic must be selected, and the worker should use appropriate respiratory protection. /Antineoplastic agents/

Hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia have been reported in patients with diabetes mellitus who received bortezomib concomitantly with oral antidiabetic agents. If bortezomib is used concomitantly with oral antidiabetic agents, blood glucose concentrations should be monitored carefully and dosage of the antidiabetic agent adjusted as necessary.

Potential interaction (increased risk of peripheral neuropathy) when bortezomib is used concomitantly with other drugs associated with peripheral neuropathy (eg, amiodarone, antiviral agents, isoniazid, nitrofurantoin, hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A [HMG-CoA] reductase inhibitors [statins]).

Potential interaction (increased risk of hypotension) when bortezomib is used with drugs that can cause hypotension. Dosage adjustment of hypotensive agents may be necessary.

... In a preclinical toxicology study, bortezomib-treated rats resulted in liver enlargement (35%). Ex vivo analyses of the liver samples showed an 18% decrease in cytochrome P450 (P450) content, a 60% increase in palmitoyl coenzyme A beta-oxidation activity, and a 41 and 23% decrease in CYP3A protein expression and activity, respectively. Furthermore, liver samples of bortezomib-treated rats had little change in CYP2B and CYP4A protein levels and activities. To address the likelihood of clinical drug-drug interactions, the P450 inhibition potential of bortezomib and its major deboronated metabolites M1 and M2 and their dealkylated metabolites M3 and M4 was evaluated in human liver microsomes for the major P450 isoforms 1A2, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, and 3A4/5. Bortezomib, M1, and M2 were found to be mild inhibitors of CYP2C19 (IC(50) approximately 18.0, 10.0, and 13.2 microM, respectively), and M1 was also a mild inhibitor of CYP2C9 (IC(50) approximately 11.5 microM). However, bortezomib, M1, M2, M3, and M4 did not inhibit other P450s (IC(50) values > 30 microM). There also was no time-dependent inhibition of CYP3A4/5 by bortezomib or its major metabolites. Based on these results, no major P450-mediated clinical drug-drug interactions are anticipated for bortezomib or its major metabolites. ...

Bortezomib should be withheld at the onset of grade 3 non-hematological or grade 4 hematological toxicity until the toxicity resolves. Treatment is then treatment restarted at a lower adjusted dose. There is no antidote available to reverse the toxic effects of the drug.

/PRECAUTIONS FOR ANTINEOPLASTIC AGENTS:/ There is no method available for routine monitoring of personnel for evidence of hazardous drug exposure. Tests for the presence of mutagens or chromosomal damage are not drug specific and are of value only in controlled studies. Chemical analysis of urine for the presence of hazardous drugs at the sensitivity level needed to detect occupational exposure is limited to a few drugs and is not yet commercially available. /Antineoplastic agents/

/SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS/ In humans, fatal outcomes following the administration of more than twice the recommended therapeutic dose have been reported, which were associated with the acute onset of symptomatic hypotension and thrombocytopenia. In the event of an overdosage, the patient's vital signs should be monitored and appropriate supportive care given.

/CASE REPORTS/ ... /Investigators/ describe the case of a patient with plasma cell leukemia treated with bortezomib who developed tumor lysis syndrome (TLS). Bortezomib was begun as single-agent therapy that resulted in the development of TLS after the third dose of the first cycle. Evaluation with the Naranjo Adverse Drug Reaction Probability Scale indicated a probable relationship between TLS and bortezomib in this patient. Patients receiving bortezomib may be at risk for TLS, especially if they have high tumor burden, rapidly proliferative disease, and unfavorable cytogenetics.

/CASE REPORTS/ ... Between June 2004 and September 2005, 13 Japanese patients with multiple myeloma were treated with bortezomib in Toranomon Hospital, Juntendo University School of Medicine, and Jichi Medical School. Four of them developed severe pulmonary complications, and 2 died of respiratory failure without progression of underlying disease. ... Previous clinical studies on bortezomib, mostly in the United States and Europe, have shown low incidences of pulmonary adverse effects. /This/ study suggests that bortezomib can cause serious lung injury, and that its incidence might vary among different ethnicities. ...

/CASE REPORTS/ ... /Investigators/ present here a case of severe, but reversible, congestive cardiac failure in a lung cancer patient who had no prior cardiac history, after receiving an experimental treatment of bortezomib combined with chemotherapy. Elevated levels of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), as retrospectively measured in archived serum samples, were suggestive of pre-existent (sub-clinical) left ventricular dysfunction. Based on literature, /The authors/ hypothesize that baseline presence of sub clinical cardiomyopathy, characterized by a dysregulation of the ubiquitin-proteasome system, could have predisposed this patient for a cardiac side effect induced by systemic proteasome inhibition. ...

For more Human Toxicity Excerpts (Complete) data for BORTEZOMIB (14 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Drug Induced Liver Injury Rank (DILIrank 2.0)

Bortezomib

vMost-DILI-concern

7

Warnings & precautions

DOI:10.1016/j.drudis.2016.02.015

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Acute Exposure/ Studies in monkeys showed that administration of dosages approximately twice the recommended clinical dose resulted in heart rate elevations, followed by profound progressive hypotension, bradycardia, and death 12 to 14 hours post dose. Doses =1.2 mg/sq m induced dose-proportional changes in cardiac parameters. Bortezomib has been shown to distribute to most tissues in the body, including the myocardium. Bortezomib doses as low as 2 times the recommended clinical dose on a mg/sq m basis were associated with increases in heart rate, decreases in contractility, hypotension, and death.

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Subchronic or Prechronic Exposure/ In animal studies at a dose and schedule similar to that recommended for patients (twice weekly dosing for 2 weeks followed by 1-week rest), toxicities observed included severe anemia and thrombocytopenia, and gastrointestinal, neurological and lymphoid system toxicities. Neurotoxic effects of bortezomib in animal studies included axonal swelling and degeneration in peripheral nerves, dorsal spinal roots, and tracts of the spinal cord. Additionally, multifocal hemorrhage and necrosis in the brain, eye, and heart were observed.

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Developmental or Reproductive Toxicity/ Pregnant rabbits given bortezomib during organogenesis at a dose of 0.05 mg/kg (0.6 mg/sq m) experienced significant post-implantation loss and decreased number of live fetuses. Live fetuses from these litters also showed significant decreases in fetal weight. The dose is approximately 0.5 times the clinical dose of 1.3 mg/sq m based on body surface area.

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Developmental or Reproductive Toxicity/ In the 6-month rat toxicity study, degenerative effects in the ovary were observed at doses =0.3 mg/sq m (one-fourth of the recommended clinical dose), and degenerative changes in the testes occurred at 1.2 mg/sq m. Bortezomib could have a potential effect on either male or female fertility.

For more Non-Human Toxicity Excerpts (Complete) data for BORTEZOMIB (6 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Although no overall differences in efficacy or safety were observed between geriatric and younger patients receiving bortezomib, the possibility that some older patients may exhibit increased sensitivity to the drug cannot be ruled out. ... Approximately 35% of the 202 patients enrolled in the phase II study of bortezomib were 65 years of age or older. Overall (complete plus partial) responses were observed in approximately 19% of patients 65 years of age or older. Grade 3 or 4 adverse effects were reported in 74% of patients 50 years of age or younger, 80% of patients 51-65 years of age, and 85% of patients older than 65 years of age.

Safety and efficacy of bortezomib have not been established in patients with creatinine clearance of less than 13 mL/minute or in patients who are undergoing hemodialysis. In 2 phase II studies, partial responses to bortezomib were observed in 2 of 10 patients with a creatinine clearance of 30 mL/minute or less. The manufacturer states that patients with renal impairment should be closely monitored for evidence of toxicity.

Maintain an open airway and assist ventilation if necessary. Treat coma, seizures, hypotension, and arrhythmias if they occur. Treat nausea and vomiting with metoclopramide and fluid loss caused by gastroenteritis with intravenous crystalloid fluids. Bone marrow depression should be treated with the assistance of an experienced hematologist or oncologist. Extravasation: Immediately stop the infusion and withdraw as much fluid as possible by negative pressure on the syringe. ... /For/ decontamination administer activated charcoal orally if conditions are appropriate. Gastric lavage is not necessary after small to moderate ingestions if activated charcoal can be given promptly. Because of the rapid intracellular incorporation of these agents, dialysis and other extracorporeal removal procedures are generally not effective.

Immediate first aid: Ensure that adequate decontamination has been carried out. If patient is not breathing, start artificial respiration, preferably with a demand valve resuscitator, bag-valve-mask device, or pocket mask, as trained. Perform CPR if necessary. Immediately flush contaminated eyes with gently flowing water. Do not induce vomiting. If vomiting occurs, lean patient forward or place on the left side (head-down position, if possible) to maintain an open airway and prevent aspiration. Keep patient quiet and maintain normal body temperature. Obtain medical attention. /Poisons A and B/

Basic treatment: Establish a patent airway (oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal airway, if needed). Suction if necessary. Watch for signs of respiratory insufficiency and assist ventilations if needed. Administer oxygen by nonrebreather mask at 10 to 15 L/min. Monitor for pulmonary edema and treat if necessary ... . Monitor for shock and treat if necessary ... . Anticipate seizures and treat if necessary ... . For eye contamination, flush eyes immediately with water. Irrigate each eye continuously with 0.9% saline (NS) during transport ... . Do not use emetics. For ingestion, rinse mouth and administer 5 mL/kg up to 200 mL of water for dilution if the patient can swallow, has a strong gag reflex, and does not drool ... . Cover skin burns with dry sterile dressings after decontamination ... . /Poisons A and B/

Advanced treatment: Consider orotracheal or nasotracheal intubation for airway control in the patient who is unconscious, has severe pulmonary edema, or is in severe respiratory distress. Positive-pressure ventilation techniques with a bag valve mask device may be beneficial. Consider drug therapy for pulmonary edema ... . Consider administering a beta agonist such as albuterol for severe bronchospasm ... . Monitor cardiac rhythm and treat arrhythmias as necessary ... . Start IV administration of D5W /SRP: "To keep open", minimal flow rate/. Use 0.9% saline (NS) or lactated Ringer's if signs of hypovolemia are present. For hypotension with signs of hypovolemia, administer fluid cautiously. Watch for signs of fluid overload ... . Treat seizures with diazepam or lorazepam ... . Use proparacaine hydrochloride to assist eye irrigation ... . /Poisons A and B/

The Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations List identifies currently marketed prescription drug products, incl bortezomib, approved on the basis of safety and effectiveness by FDA under sections 505 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

L01XX32

L - Antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents

QL - Antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents

L01XG01

Bortezomib works to target the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, an essential molecular pathway that regulates intracellular concentrations of proteins and promotes protein degradation. The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway is often dysregulated in pathological conditions, leading to aberrant pathway signalling and the formation of malignant cells. In one study, patient-derived chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells contained 3-fold higher levels of chymotrypsin-like proteasome activity than normal lymphocytes. By reversibly inhibiting proteasome, bortezomib prevents proteasome-mediated proteolysis. Bortezomib exerts a cytotoxic effect on various cancer cell types _in vitro_ and delays tumour growth _in vivo_ in nonclinical tumour models. Bortezomib inhibits the proteasome activity in a dose-dependent manner. In one pharmacodynamic study, more than 75% of proteasome inhibition was observed in whole blood samples within one hour after dosing of bortezomib.

The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway is a homeostatic proteolytic pathway for intracellular protein degradation: proteins marked with a poly-ubiquitin chain are degraded to small peptides and free ubiquitin by the proteasome, which is a large multimeric protease. Aberrant proteasome-dependent proteolysis, as seen in some malignancies, can lead to uncontrolled cell division, leading to tumorigenesis, cancer growth, and spread. Bortezomib is a reversible inhibitor of the 26S proteasome, which is made up of a 20S core complexed with a 19S regulatory complex. Individual β-subunits allow specific catalytic action of the 20S core. In mammalian cells, bortezomib is a potent inhibitor of the proteasome’s chymotryptic-like activity, which is attributed to the β5-subunit of the 20S core particle. Bortezomib binds to the active site of the threonine hydroxyl group in the β5-subunit. A probing study showed bortezomib also binding to and inhibiting the β1-subunit, which mediates the caspase-like activity of the proteasome, and β1i-subunit, which is an altered subunit that is expressed to form immunoproteasomes in response to cell stress or inflammation. By inhibiting the proteasome-mediated degradation of key proteins that promote cell apoptosis, bortezomib induces a cell cycle arrest during the G2-M phase. It is believed that multiple mechanisms, other than proteasome inhibition, may be involved in the anticancer activity of bortezomib. The anticancer activity of bortezomib was largely associated with suppression of the NF-κB signalling pathway, resulting in the downregulation of anti-apoptotic target genes and expression of anti-apoptic proteins. This may be explained by bortezomib preventing uncontrolled degradation of IκB, which is an inhibitory protein of NF-κB. NOXA, which is a pro-apoptotic factor, induced by bortezomib selectively in cancer cells; thus, it is suggested to be another key mechanism of bortezomib.

Bortezomib, a modified dipeptidyl boronic acid, is an antineoplastic agent. The drug reversibly inhibits the 26S proteasome, 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 by bortezomib prevents targeted proteolysis and causes disruption of normal homeostatic mechanisms, which can lead to cell death. In vitro studies indicate that bortezomib is cytotoxic to a variety of cancer cell types. Bortezomib has been shown to cause a delay in tumor growth in vivo in tumor models, including multiple myeloma.

... The mechanisms underlying /bortezomib/ cancer cell toxicity are complex. A growing body of evidence suggests proteasome inhibition-dependent regulation of the BCL-2 family is a critical requirement. In particular, the stabilization of BH3-only proteins BIK, NOXA and BIM, appear to be essential for effecting BAX- and BAK-dependent cell death. ...

Proteasome inhibition is a novel, targeted approach in cancer therapy. Both natural and synthetic proteasome inhibitors selectively penetrate cancer cells, disrupting the orderly destruction of key regulatory proteins involved in tumorigenesis and metastasis. Disrupting the orderly destruction of regulatory proteins causes an imbalance of these proteins within the cell, which interferes with the systematic activation of signaling pathways required to maintain tumor cell growth and survival; therefore, cellular replication is inhibited and apoptosis ensues. ...

Bortezomib (PS-341, Velcade) is a potent and selective inhibitor of the proteasome that is currently under investigation for the treatment of solid malignancies. /Investigators/ have shown previously that bortezomib has activity in pancreatic cancer models and that the drug induces endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress but also suppresses the unfolded protein response (UPR). Because the UPR is an important cytoprotective mechanism, /investigators/ hypothesized that bortezomib would sensitize pancreatic cancer cells to ER stress-mediated apoptosis. Here, /the authors/ show that bortezomib promotes apoptosis triggered by classic ER stress inducers (tunicamycin and thapsigargin) via a c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK)-dependent mechanism. /They/ also show that cisplatin stimulates ER stress and interacts with bortezomib to increase ER dilation, intracellular Ca(2+) levels, and cell death. Importantly, combined therapy with bortezomib plus cisplatin induced JNK activation and apoptosis in orthotopic pancreatic tumors resulting in a reduction in tumor burden. Taken together, the data establish that bortezomib sensitizes pancreatic cancer cells to ER stress-induced apoptosis and show that bortezomib strongly enhances the anticancer activity of cisplatin.

The mean elimination half-life of bortezomib ranged from 40 to 193 hours following a multiple dosing regimen at a 1 mg/m² dose. The half-life ranged from 76 to 108 hours after multiple dosing of 1.3 mg/m² bortezomib.

The mean elimination half-life of bortezomib upon multiple dosing ranged from 40 to 193 hours after the 1 mg/sq m dose and 76 to 108 hours after the 1.3 mg/sq m dose.

Bortezomib is primarily metabolized by CYP3A4, CYP2C19, and CYP1A2. CYP2D6 and CYP2C9 are also involved in drug metabolism, but to a smaller extent. Oxidative deboronation, which involves the removal of boronic acid from the parent compound, is the main metabolic pathway. Metabolites of bortezomib are pharmacologically inactive and more than 30 metabolites have been identified in human and animal studies.

In vitro studies with human liver microsomes and human cDNA-expressed cytochrome P450 isozymes indicate that bortezomib is primarily oxidatively metabolized via cytochrome P450 enzymes 3A4, 2C19, and 1A2. Bortezomib metabolism by CYP 2D6 and 2C9 enzymes is minor. The major metabolic pathway is deboronation to form 2 deboronated metabolites that subsequently undergo hydroxylation to several metabolites. Deboronated bortezomib metabolites are inactive as 26S proteasome inhibitors. Pooled plasma data from 8 patients at 10 min and 30 min after dosing indicate that the plasma levels of metabolites are low compared to the parent drug.

... The P450 inhibition potential of bortezomib and its major deboronated metabolites M1 and M2 and their dealkylated metabolites M3 and M4 was evaluated in human liver microsomes for the major P450 isoforms 1A2, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, and 3A4/5. Bortezomib, M1, and M2 were found to be mild inhibitors of CYP2C19 (IC(50) approximately 18.0, 10.0, and 13.2 microM, respectively), and M1 was also a mild inhibitor of CYP2C9 (IC(50) approximately 11.5 microM). However, bortezomib, M1, M2, M3, and M4 did not inhibit other P450s (IC(50) values > 30 microM). There also was no time-dependent inhibition of CYP3A4/5 by bortezomib or its major metabolites. ...

... Bortezomib binds the proteasome via the boronic acid moiety, and therefore, the presence of this moiety is necessary to achieve proteasome inhibition. Metabolites in plasma obtained from patients receiving a single intravenous dose of bortezomib were identified and characterized by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) and liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). Metabolite standards that were synthesized and characterized by LC/MS/MS and high field nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) were used to confirm metabolite structures. The principal biotransformation pathway observed was oxidative deboronation, most notably to a pair of diastereomeric carbinolamide metabolites. Further metabolism of the leucine and phenylalanine moieties produced tertiary hydroxylated metabolites and a metabolite hydroxylated at the benzylic position, respectively. Conversion of the carbinolamides to the corresponding amide and carboxylic acid was also observed. Human liver microsomes adequately modeled the in vivo metabolism of bortezomib, as the principal circulating metabolites were observed in vitro. Using cDNA-expressed cytochrome P450 isoenzymes, it was determined that several isoforms contributed to the metabolism of bortezomib, including CYP3A4, CYP2C19, CYP1A2, CYP2D6, and CYP2C9. ...

69G8BD63PP

BORTEZOMIB

Established Pharmacologic Class [EPC] - Proteasome Inhibitor

Mechanisms of Action [MoA] - Proteasome Inhibitors

Bortezomib is a Proteasome Inhibitor. The mechanism of action of bortezomib is as a Proteasome Inhibitor.

BORTEZOMIB

Following intravenous administration of 1 mg/m2 and 1.3 mg/m2 doses, the mean Cmax of bortezomib were 57 and 112 ng/mL, respectively. In a twice-weekly dosing regimen, the Cmax ranged from 67 to 106 ng/mL at the dose of 1 mg/m2 and 89 to 120 ng/mL for the 1.3 mg/m2 dose. In patients with multiple myeloma, the Cmax of bortezomib followig subcutaneous administration was lower than that of intravenously-administered dose; however, the total systemic exposure of the drug was equivalent for both routes of administration. There is a wide interpatient variability in drug plasma concentrations.

Bortezomib is eliminated by both renal and hepatic routes.

The mean distribution volume of bortezomib ranged from approximately 498 to 1884 L/m² in patients with multiple myeloma receiving a single- or repeat-dose of 1 mg/m² or 1.3 mg/m². Bortezomib distributes into nearly all tissues, except for the adipose and brain tissue.

Following the administration of a first dose of 1 mg/m² and 1.3 mg/m², the mean mean total body clearances were 102 and 112 L/h, respectively. The clearances were 15 and 32 L/h after the subsequent dose of 1 and 1.3 mg/m², respectively.

Following intravenous administration of 1 mg/sq m and 1.3 mg/sq m doses to 24 patients with multiple myeloma (n=12, per each dose level), the mean maximum plasma concentrations of bortezomib (Cmax) after the first dose (Day 1) were 57 and 112 ng/mL, respectively.

In subsequent doses, when administered twice weekly, the mean maximum observed plasma concentrations ranged from 67 to 106 ng/mL for the 1 mg/sq m dose and 89 to 120 ng/mL for the 1.3 mg/sq m dose. The mean elimination half-life of bortezomib upon multiple dosing ranged from 40 to 193 hours after the 1 mg/sq m dose and 76 to 108 hours after the 1.3 mg/sq m dose. The mean total body clearances was 102 and 112 L/hr following the first dose for doses of 1 mg/sq m and 1.3 mg/sq m, respectively, and ranged from 15 to 32 L/hr following subsequent doses for doses of 1 and 1.3 mg/sq m, respectively.

Parenteral injection for iv use only, 3.5 mg (bortezomib) Velcade, Millennium Pharmaceuticals

... provided as a mannitol boronic ester which, in reconstituted form, consists of the mannitol ester in equilibrium with its hydrolysis product, the monoboronic acid. The drug substance exists in its cyclic anhydride form as a trimeric boroxine