Bortezomib Injection

• Type: Anticancer (chemotherapy) medication

• Drug Class: Proteasome inhibitor

• Form: Injection given intravenously (IV) or subcutaneously (under the skin)

How It Works

• Bortezomib blocks the proteasome, a cellular system responsible for breaking down unwanted or damaged proteins.

• When proteasomes are inhibited, proteins build up inside cancer cells, causing cell stress and ultimately cell death.

• This is especially effective against multiple myeloma and some lymphomas, where cancer cells rely heavily on proteasomes to survive.

Common Uses

• Multiple Myeloma (blood cancer affecting plasma cells)

• Mantle Cell Lymphoma (a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma)

• Sometimes used in other blood-related cancers as part of combination therapy

Advantages

• Targets cancer cells more selectively compared to traditional chemotherapy

• Can be combined with other drugs (like dexamethasone, lenalidomide, or cyclophosphamide) for better results

• Subcutaneous administration tends to cause fewer side effects than IV

Possible Side Effects

• Peripheral neuropathy (numbness, tingling, burning in hands or feet) — common and dose-limiting

• Low blood cell counts (anemia, low platelets, low white cells) → risk of infection, bleeding

• Fatigue and weakness

• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation

• Fever or flu-like symptoms

• Low blood pressure, dizziness (especially after IV dose)

• Rare: heart or lung complications

Precautions

• Requires regular blood tests to monitor blood counts and organ function

• Neuropathy must be closely watched — dose adjustments may be needed

• Should not be given intrathecally (into spinal fluid) — can be fatal

• Careful in patients with severe liver disease, heart problems, or low blood pressure

• Effective contraception is needed, as it may harm an unborn baby