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What is Velcade
BortezomibThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryBortezomib is a medication used to treat multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma. It works by blocking a protein complex called the 26S proteasome, which stops cancer cells from growing. Bortezomib was first created in 1995 and was approved by the FDA in 2003 under the trade name VELCADE. Clinical trials are still ongoing to determine if bortezomib can be used to treat other conditions, including leukemia, myasthenia gravis, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and solid tumors.
Velcadeis the brand name
Velcade Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Velcade
Bortezomib
2003
29
Approved as Treatment by the FDA
Bortezomib, commonly known as Velcade, is approved by the FDA for 2 uses like Mantle Cell Lymphoma and Multiple Myeloma .Mantle Cell Lymphoma
Multiple Myeloma
Effectiveness
How Velcade Affects PatientsBortezomib is a drug that works by targeting the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, which helps control the amount of proteins in cells and breaks down proteins that are not necessary. People with cancer often have malfunctioning ubiquitin-proteasome pathways, which leads to the formation of unhealthy cells. Bortezomib is used to stop the breakdown of proteins which helps to reduce the number of unhealthy cells. It has been shown to be effective in laboratory and animal studies and can cause up to 75% of proteasome activity to be blocked in the blood within one hour of taking it.
How Velcade works in the bodyBortezomib is a drug that stops proteins from being broken down by the proteasome. The proteasome is a group of proteins that work together to break down proteins in the body. Bortezomib blocks the proteasome from working, which stops proteins that promote cell growth from being broken down. This leads to cell cycle arrest, which stops cancer cells from growing. Bortezomib also has other effects on cancer cells, such as suppressing the NF-κB signalling pathway, which in turn stops anti-apoptotic proteins from being expressed, and encourages the expression of pro-apoptotic
When to interrupt dosage
The proposed dosage of Velcade is contingent upon the indicated condition. The measure of dosage fluctuates as per the approach of delivery featured in the table beneath.Condition
Dosage
Administration
Mantle Cell Lymphoma
, 3.5 mg, 1.0 mg, 2.5 mg, 1.0 mg/mL, 3.0 mg
, Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, for solution, Injection, powder, for solution - Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Intravenous, Injection, powder, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Powder, for solution - Intravenous
Multiple Myeloma
, 3.5 mg, 1.0 mg, 2.5 mg, 1.0 mg/mL, 3.0 mg
, Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, for solution, Injection, powder, for solution - Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Intravenous, Injection, powder, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Powder, for solution - Intravenous
Warnings
Velcade ContraindicationsCondition
Risk Level
Notes
Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions
Do Not Combine
Bortezomib may interact with Pulse Frequency
intrathecal administration
Do Not Combine
Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions
Do Not Combine
Bortezomib may interact with Pulse Frequency
Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions
Do Not Combine
Bortezomib may interact with Pulse Frequency
Common Velcade Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
2-Methoxyethanol
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Bortezomib is combined with 2-Methoxyethanol.
9-(N-methyl-L-isoleucine)-cyclosporin A
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Bortezomib is combined with 9-(N-methyl-L-isoleucine)-cyclosporin A.
Abetimus
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Bortezomib is combined with Abetimus.
Acenocoumarol
Major
The metabolism of Acenocoumarol can be decreased when combined with Bortezomib.
Acteoside
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Bortezomib is combined with Acteoside.
Velcade Toxicity & Overdose RiskThe most toxic dose of bortezomib in mice was 5 mg/kg when administered through a single injection and 1.6 mg/kg when administered through a continuous dose. If a person takes more than twice the recommended therapeutic dose of bortezomib, it can be fatal. Symptoms of an overdose include low blood pressure and low platelet count. There is no known antidote for bortezomib overdose, so medical attention should be sought immediately if an overdose is suspected. In monkey and dog studies, overdose caused increased heart rate, decreased heart contractility, low blood pressure, and even death when as little as
Velcade Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Velcade?
106 active clinical trials are being conducted to examine the effectiveness of Velcade in treating Mantle Cell Lymphoma.Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Mantle Cell Lymphoma
97 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Phase 3, Not Applicable, Phase 1, Early Phase 1
Multiple Myeloma
12 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Phase 1
Velcade Reviews: What are patients saying about Velcade?
5Patient Review
7/1/2013 I've been taking Velcade for two years now, and it has been incredibly effective. I haven't had many side effects, and my numbers are great. For me, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. I'm very lucky to have little to no pain and not need any pain medication - not even Tylenol!
4.7Patient Review
2/21/2010 I was diagnosed with MM five years ago and, until recently, the only symptom I experienced was a blood clot. After six treatments with Velcade, my protein levels are now normal. However, I had to discontinue treatment due to excruciating neuropathy in my legs. Luckily, Lyrica completely knocked out the neuropathy.
4.7Patient Review
4/14/2012 I experienced some leg pain as a side effect, but other than that this treatment seems to be working very well.
4.7Patient Review
1/16/2010 I was able to go into remission after only four rounds of injections, though I did experience some difficult side effects like neuropothy, vomiting and diarrhea.
4.3Patient Review
1/11/2010 I'm a 62 year old male and this drug worked well with the cancer, but the pain and swelling in my feet and legs has left me somewhat disabled.
4Patient Review
5/2/2011 I've experienced a lot of muscle loss and tingling in my feet. I also have very little energy, which makes walking difficult.
3.7Patient Review
1/24/2011 The patient's heart rate increased and they felt very tired.
3Patient Review
10/8/2009 I've been in constant pain that hasn't let up, no matter what I do. My legs have swollen to the point where I can't even get shoes on, and I can barely stand or walk a short distance. Elevating my legs, using hot tubs or rubs.. nothing seems to be working. I've tried morphine, oxycodone, and oxycotin but none of them are effective.
3Patient Review
6/22/2012 Even though I'm in remission, the neuropathy in my feet from the Velcade makes me second-guess if a transplant was the right route. Additionally, it's now damaged the nerves in my stomach so that I can't digest food correctly. Please be honest with your doctor about any and all pain you're experiencing.
3Patient Review
9/6/2010 My legs and feet have been driving me crazy.
2Patient Review
2/1/2012 My mother, 72 years old, took this treatment for a few months intravenously while also receiving dexamethasone. She chose not to go with stem cell therapy. This brought her kidney functions back and light chain numbers down to the 40's, but her doctor recommended a different course of treatment because the numbers were still too high. We did a trial at Stanford and then she went on revlimid. The numbers are now back up in the 60's so we are considering adding velcade at a lower dose and not intravenously. The neuropathy was so bad with the IV that she couldn't walk and it took over six
1Patient Review
5/11/2010 My mantle cell progressed rapidly after just three months of velcade treatment.
Patient Q&A Section about velcade
These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.Is VELCADE immunotherapy or chemotherapy?
"VELCADE is a targeted therapy that belongs to a class of medicines called proteasome inhibitors. It is approved by the FDA for the treatment of multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma. VELCADE has been studied in many important clinical trials."
Answered by AI
What does the drug VELCADE do?
"VELCADE is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.
VELCADE is a prescription medication used to treat adults with multiple myeloma or mantle cell lymphoma. The medication works by interfering with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body."
Answered by AI
What does Velcade do for multiple myeloma?
"This medication is used to treat certain types of cancer by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells."
Answered by AI
What does the drug Velcade do?
"VELCADE is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma."
Answered by AI
What are the side effects of the drug VELCADE?
"Fatigue is a common symptom of many diseases and conditions, including some blood disorders. Peripheral neuropathy, a disorder of the nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord, can also cause fatigue. Low blood pressure (hypotension) is another possible cause of fatigue. Heart problems, lung disorders, and liver disease can also cause fatigue. Some blood disorders, such as thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) and posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES), can also cause fatigue."
Answered by AI
How long is VELCADE treatment for multiple myeloma?
"This medication is taken for nine 6-week cycles."
Answered by AI
Is Velcade immunotherapy or chemotherapy?
"Bortezomib is a targeted therapy that belongs to a class of proteasome inhibitors. VELCADE is approved for the treatment of multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma. VELCADE has been evaluated in various clinical trials."
Answered by AI
What are the side effects of the drug Velcade?
"Fatigue, Peripheral neuropathy, Low blood pressure (hypotension), Heart problems, Lung disorders or problems, Liver disease or problems, Hematologic disease (Thrombotic Microangiopathy, TMA), Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES)"
Answered by AI