VELCADE - bortezomib injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution
Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE
1.1 Multiple Myeloma
VELCADE� (bortezomib) is indicated for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma.
1.2 Mantle Cell Lymphoma
VELCADE is indicated for the treatment of patients with mantle cell lymphoma.
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
2.1 General Dosing Guidelines
The recommended starting dose of VELCADE is 1.3 mg/m2. VELCADE may be administered intravenously at a concentration of 1 mg/mL, or subcutaneously at a concentration of 2.5 mg/mL [see Dosage and Administration (2.10) ].
VELCADE retreatment may be considered for patients with multiple myeloma who had previously responded to treatment with VELCADE and who have relapsed at least 6 months after completing prior VELCADE treatment. Treatment may be started at the last tolerated dose [see Dosage and Administration (2.6) ].
When administered intravenously, VELCADE is administered as a 3 to 5 second bolus intravenous injection. VELCADE is for intravenous or subcutaneous use only. VELCADE should not be administered by any other route.
Because each route of administration has a different reconstituted concentration, caution should be used when calculating the volume to be administered.
Dosage in Previously Untreated Mantle Cell Lymphoma
VELCADE (1.3 mg/m2) is administered intravenously in combination with intravenous rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and oral prednisone (VcR-CAP) for six 3-week treatment cycles as shown in Table 3. VELCADE is administered first followed by rituximab. VELCADE is administered twice weekly for two weeks (Days 1, 4, 8, and 11) followed by a 10-day rest period on Days 12-21. For patients with a response first documented at cycle 6, two additional VcR-CAP cycles are recommended. At least 72 hours should elapse between consecutive doses of VELCADE
Dosage in Patients with Hepatic Impairment
Patients with mild hepatic impairment do not require a starting dose adjustment and should be treated per the recommended VELCADE dose. Patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment should be started on VELCADE at a reduced dose of 0.7 mg/m2 per injection during the first cycle, and a subsequent dose escalation to 1.0 mg/m2 or further dose reduction to 0.5 mg/m2 may be considered based on patient tolerance
DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS
Each single-use vial of VELCADE contains 3.5 mg of bortezomib as a sterile lyophilized white to off-white powder.
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS
VELCADE is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity (not including local reactions) to bortezomib, boron, or mannitol. Reactions have included anaphylactic reactions [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ].
VELCADE is contraindicated for intrathecal administration. Fatal events have occurred with intrathecal administration of VELCADE.
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
5.1 Peripheral Neuropathy
VELCADE treatment causes a peripheral neuropathy that is predominantly sensory; however, cases of severe sensory and motor peripheral neuropathy have been reported. Patients with pre-existing symptoms (numbness, pain or a burning feeling in the feet or hands) and/or signs of peripheral neuropathy may experience worsening peripheral neuropathy (including ≥ Grade 3) during treatment with VELCADE. Patients should be monitored for symptoms of neuropathy, such as a burning sensation, hyperesthesia, hypoesthesia, paresthesia, discomfort, neuropathic pain or weakness. In the Phase 3 relapsed multiple myeloma trial comparing VELCADE subcutaneous versus intravenous the incidence of Grade ≥ 2 peripheral neuropathy was 24% for subcutaneous and 39% for intravenous. Grade ≥ 3 peripheral neuropathy occurred in 6% of patients in the subcutaneous treatment group, compared with 15% in the intravenous treatment group. Starting VELCADE subcutaneously may be considered for patients with pre-existing or at high risk of peripheral neuropathy.
DESCRIPTION
VELCADE � for Injection contains bortezomib which is an antineoplastic agent. Bortezomib is a modified dipeptidyl boronic acid. The chemical name for bortezomib, the monomeric boronic acid, is [(1R)-3-methyl-1-[[(2S)-1-oxo-3-phenyl-2-[(pyrazinylcarbonyl) amino]propyl]amino]butyl] boronic acid.
The molecular weight is 384.24. The molecular formula is C19 H25 BN4 O4. The solubility of bortezomib, as the monomeric boronic acid, in water is 3.3 to 3.8 mg/mL in a pH range of 2 to 6.5.
VELCADE is available for intravenous injection or subcutaneous use. Each single use vial contains 3.5 mg of bortezomib as a sterile lyophilized powder. It also contains the inactive ingredient: 35 mg mannitol, USP. The product is provided as a mannitol boronic ester which, in reconstituted form, consists of the mannitol ester in equilibrium with its hydrolysis product, the monomeric boronic acid. The drug substance exists in its cyclic anhydride form as a trimeric boroxine.
12 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
12.1 Mechanism of Action
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.
