, or , is a proteasome inhibitor. It was the first proteasome inhibitor to be approved for cancer therapy by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is used in the treatment of multiple myeloma.
, produced by Takeda Oncology, is also used in the treatment of mantle cell lymphoma, another type of blood cancer.
is used in all stages of multiple myeloma and can be used as the initial therapy for high dose chemotherapy and stem-cell transplant candidates, as well as other patients.
Most often, is used in combination with , which is another anti-myeloma drug. Whether used alone or in combination with other anti-myeloma drugs, is used for the treatment of relapsed and/or refractory myeloma.
When used as maintenance therapy, has improved response rates in patients after receiving initial therapy.
works by stopping the growth and survival of myeloma cells, which causes cell death. may also improve bone disease in myeloma patients.
When being treated with , there will be side effects, but these will depend on the individual patient and what stage of myeloma they are in. The most common possible side effects include:
- Nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting
- Low platelet counts, otherwise known as thrombocytopenia
- Low numbers of white blood cells, otherwise known as neutrophils, which is a condition known as neutropenia
- Peripheral neuropathy or nerve pain
- Fatigue
- Anemia, or low red blood cell count
- Low numbers of all types of white blood cells, which includes lymphocytes
- Rash
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
There are also more serious side effects that may occur when taking . These include:
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Low blood pressure
- Hearth problems
- Lung problems
- Liver problems
- Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES), which is a rare, reversible brain condition
- Nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting
- Low numbers of neutrophils or platelets
- Tumor lysis syndrome
When is taken in combination with other anti-myeloma agents, other side effects may also occur.
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Posted on March 24, 2023