10 )] Most commonly reported adverse reactions (incidence ≥ 20%) in clinical studies include nausea, diarrhea, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, peripheral neuropathy, fatigue, neuralgia, anemia, leukopenia, constipation, vomiting, lymphopenia, rash, pyrexia, and anorexia.
gov/medwatch. 1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice.
3 mg/m 2 ) administered intravenously in combination with melphalan (9 mg/m 2 ) and prednisone (60 mg/m 2 ) in a prospective randomized study. The safety profile of bortezomib in combination with melphalan/prednisone is consistent with the known safety profiles of both bortezomib and melphalan/prednisone.
Table 9:
Most Commonly Reported Adverse Reactions (≥ 10% in the Bortezomib, Melphalan and Prednisone Arm) with Grades 3 and ≥ 4 Intensity in the Previously Untreated Multiple Myeloma Study Bortezomib, Melphalan and Prednisone Melphalan and Prednisone (n=340) ( n =337) Body System Total Toxicity Grade, n (%) Total Toxicity Grade, n (%) Adverse Reaction n (%) 3 ≥ 4 n (%) 3 ≥ 4 Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders Thrombocytopenia 164 (48) 60 (18) 57 (17) 140 (42) 48 (14) 39 (12) Neutropenia 160 (47) 101 (30) 33 (10) 143 (42) 77 (23) 42 (12) Anemia 109 (32) 41 (12) 4 (1) 156 (46) 61 (18) 18 (5) Leukopenia 108 (32) 64 (19) 8 (2) 93 (28) 53 (16) 11 (3) Lymphopenia 78 (23) 46 (14) 17 (5) 51 (15) 26 (8) 7 (2) Gastrointestinal Disorders Nausea 134 (39) 10 (3) 0 70 (21) 1 (< 1) 0 Diarrhea 119 (35) 19 (6) 2 (1) 20 (6) 1 (< 1) 0 Vomiting 87 (26) 13 (4) 0 41 (12) 2 (1) 0 Constipation 77 (23) 2 (1) 0 14 (4) 0 0 Abdominal pain upper 34 (10) 1 (< 1) 0 20 (6) 0 0 Nervous System Disorders Peripheral neuropathy * 156 (46) 42 (12) 2 (1) 4 (1) 0 0 Neuralgia 117 (34) 27 (8) 2 (1) 1 (< 1) 0 0 Paresthesia 42 (12) 6 (2) 0 4 (1) 0 0 General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions Fatigue 85 (25) 19 (6) 2 (1) 48 (14) 4 (1) 0 Asthenia 54 (16) 18 (5) 0 23 (7) 3 (1) 0 Pyrexia 53 (16) 4 (1) 0 19 (6) 1 (< 1) 1 (< 1) Infections and Infestations Herpes Zoster 39 (11) 11 (3) 0 9 (3) 4 (1) 0 Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders Anorexia 64 (19) 6 (2) 0 19 (6) 0 0 Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders Rash 38 (11) 2 (1) 0 7 (2) 0 0 Psychiatric Disorders Insomnia 35 (10) 1 (< 1) 0 21 (6) 0 0 * Represents High Level Term Peripheral Neuropathies NEC Relapsed Multiple Myeloma Randomized Study of Bortezomib vs Dexamethasone The safety data described below and in Table 10 reflect exposure to either bortezomib (n=331) or dexamethasone (n=332) in a study of patients with relapsed multiple myeloma.
3 mg/m 2 twice weekly for two out of three weeks (21 day cycle). After eight, 21 day cycles patients continued therapy for three, 35 day cycles on a weekly schedule. 1 months). For inclusion in the trial, patients must have had measurable disease and one to three prior therapies.
There was no upper age limit for entry. 5 times the upper limit of normal. The overall frequency of adverse reactions was similar in men and women, and in patients < 65 and ≥ 65 years of age. 1 )]. Among the 331 bortezomib-treated patients, the most commonly reported (> 20%) adverse reactions overall were nausea (52%), diarrhea (52%), fatigue (39%), peripheral neuropathies (35%), thrombocytopenia (33%), constipation (30%), vomiting (29%), and anorexia (21%).
The most commonly reported (> 20%) adverse reaction reported among the 332 patients in the dexamethasone group was fatigue (25%). Eight percent (8%) of patients in the bortezomibtreated arm experienced a Grade 4 adverse reaction; the most common reactions were thrombocytopenia (4%) and neutropenia (2%).
Nine percent (9%) of dexamethasone-treated patients experienced a Grade 4 adverse reaction. All individual dexamethasone- related Grade 4 adverse reactions were less than 1%. Serious Adverse Reactions and Adverse Reactions Leading to Treatment Discontinuation in the Relapsed Multiple Myeloma Study of Bortezomib vs Dexamethasone Serious adverse reactions are defined as any reaction that results in death, is life-threatening, requires hospitalization or prolongs a current hospitalization, results in a significant disability, or is deemed to be an important medical event.
A total of 80 (24%) patients from the bortezomib treatment arm experienced a serious adverse reaction during the study, as did 83 (25%) dexamethasone-treated patients. The most commonly reported serious adverse reactions in the bortezomib treatment arm were diarrhea (3%), dehydration, herpes zoster, pyrexia, nausea, vomiting, dyspnea, and thrombocytopenia (2% each).
In the dexamethasone treatment group, the most commonly reported serious adverse reactions were pneumonia (4%), hyperglycemia (3%), pyrexia, and psychotic disorder (2% each). A total of 145 patients, including 84 (25%) of 331 patients in the bortezomib treatment group and 61 (18%) of 332 patients in the dexamethasone treatment group were discontinued from treatment due to adverse reactions.
Among the 331 bortezomib-treated patients, the most commonly reported adverse reaction leading to discontinuation was peripheral neuropathy (8%). Among the 332 patients in the dexamethasone group, the most commonly reported adverse reactions leading to treatment discontinuation were psychotic disorder and hyperglycemia (2% each).
Four deaths were considered to be bortezomib -related in this relapsed multiple myeloma study: one case each of cardiogenic shock, respiratory insufficiency, congestive heart failure and cardiac arrest. Four deaths were considered dexamethasone-related: two cases of sepsis, one case of bacterial meningitis, and one case of sudden death at home.
Most Commonly Reported Adverse Reactions in the Relapsed Multiple Myeloma Study of Bortezomib vs Dexamethasone The most common adverse reactions from the relapsed multiple myeloma study are shown in Table 10 . All adverse reactions with incidence ≥ 10% in the bortezomib arm are included.
Table 10:
Most Commonly Reported Adverse Reactions ( ≥ 10% in Bortezomib Arm), with Grades 3 and 4 Intensity in the Relapsed Multiple Myeloma Study of Bortezomib vs Dexamethasone (N=663) Bortezomib (N=331) Dexamethasone (N=332) Adverse Reactions All Grade 3 Grade 4 All Grade 3 Grade 4 Any Adverse Reactions 324 (98) 193 (58) 28 (8) 297 (89) 110 (33) 29 (9) Nausea 172 (52) 8 (2) 0 31 (9) 0 0 Diarrhea NOS 171 (52) 22 (7) 0 36 (11) 2 (< 1) 0 Fatigue 130 (39) 15 (5) 0 82 (25) 8 (2) 0 Peripheral neuropathies * 115 (35) 23 (7) 2 (< 1) 14 (4) 0 1 (< 1) Thrombocytopenia 109 (33) 80 (24) 12 (4) 11 (3) 5 (2) 1 (< 1) Constipation 99 (30) 6 (2) 0 27 (8) 1 (< 1) 0 Vomiting NOS 96 (29) 8 (2) 0 10 (3) 1 (< 1) 0 Anorexia 68 (21) 8 (2) 0 8 (2) 1 (< 1) 0 Pyrexia 66 (20) 2 (< 1) 0 21 (6) 3 (< 1) 1 (< 1) Paresthesia 64 (19) 5 (2) 0 24 (7) 0 0 Anemia NOS 63 (19) 20 (6) 1 (< 1) 21 (6) 8 (2) 0 Headache NOS 62 (19) 3 (< 1) 0 23 (7) 1 (< 1) 0 Neutropenia 58 (18) 37 (11) 8 (2) 1 (< 1) 1 (< 1) 0 Rash NOS 43 (13) 3 (< 1) 0 7 (2) 0 0 Appetite decreased NOS 36 (11) 0 0 12 (4) 0 0 Dyspnea NOS 35 (11) 11 (3) 1 (< 1) 37 (11) 7 (2) 1 (< 1) Abdominal pain NOS 35 (11) 5 (2) 0 7 (2) 0 0 Weakness 34 (10) 10 (3) 0 28 (8) 8 (2) 0 * Represents High Level Term Peripheral Neuropathies NEC Safety Experience from the Phase 2 Open-Label Extension Study in Relapsed Multiple Myeloma In the Phase 2 extension study of 63 patients, no new cumulative or new long-term toxicities were observed with prolonged bortezomib treatment.
1 )]. 3 mg/m 2 . This was a randomized, comparative study of bortezomib subcutaneous vs intravenous in 222 patients with relapsed multiple myeloma. 1 )].
Table 11:
Most Commonly Reported Adverse Reactions (≥10%), with Grade 3 and ≥ 4 Intensity in the Relapsed Multiple Myeloma Study (N=221) of Bortezomib Subcutaneous vs Intravenous Subcutaneous Intravenous (N=147) (N=74) Body System Total Toxicity Grade, n (%) Total Toxicity Grade, n (%) Adverse Reaction n (%) 3 ≥4 n (%) 3 ≥4 Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders Anemia 28 (19) 8 (5) 0 17 (23) 3 (4) 0 Leukopenia 26 (18) 8 (5) 0 15 (20) 4 (5) 1 (1) Neutropenia 34 (23) 15 (10) 4 (3) 20 (27) 10 (14) 3 (4) Thrombocytopenia 44 (30) 7 (5) 5 (3) 25 (34) 7 (9) 5 (7) Gastrointestinal Disorders Diarrhea 28 (19) 1 (1) 0 21 (28) 3 (4) 0 Nausea 24 (16) 0 0 10 (14) 0 0 Vomiting 13 (9) 3 (2) 0 8 (11) 0 0 General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions Asthenia 10 (7) 1 (1) 0 12 (16) 4 (5) 0 Fatigue 11 (7) 3 (2) 0 11 (15) 3 (4) 0 Pyrexia 18 (12) 0 0 6 (8) 0 0 Nervous System Disorders Neuralgia 34 (23) 5 (3) 0 17 (23) 7 (9) 0 Peripheral neuropathies* 55 (37) 8 (5) 1 (1) 37 (50) 10 (14) 1 (1) Note: Safety population: 147 patients in the subcutaneous treatment group and 74 patients in the intravenous treatment group who received at least one dose of study medication * Represents High Level Term Peripheral Neuropathies NEC In general, safety data were similar for the subcutaneous and intravenous treatment groups.
Differences were observed in the rates of some Grade ≥ 3 adverse reactions. Differences of ≥ 5% were reported in neuralgia (3% subcutaneous vs 9% intravenous), peripheral neuropathies (6% subcutaneous vs 15% intravenous), neutropenia (13% subcutaneous vs 18% intravenous), and thrombocytopenia (8% subcutaneous vs 16% intravenous).
A local reaction was reported in 6% of patients in the subcutaneous group, mostly redness. Only two (1%) patients were reported as having severe reactions, one case of pruritus and one case of redness. Local reactions led to reduction in injection concentration in one patient and drug discontinuation in one patient.
Local reactions resolved in a median of six days. Dose reductions occurred due to adverse reactions in 31% of patients in the subcutaneous treatment group compared with 43% of the intravenously- treated patients. The most common adverse reactions leading to a dose reduction included peripheral sensory neuropathy (17% in the subcutaneous treatment group compared with 31% in the intravenous treatment group); and neuralgia (11% in the subcutaneous treatment group compared with 19% in the intravenous treatment group).
Serious Adverse Reactions and Adverse Reactions Leading to Treatment Discontinuation in the Relapsed Multiple Myeloma Study of bortezomib Subcutaneous vs Intravenous The incidence of serious adverse reactions was similar for the subcutaneous treatment group (20%) and the intravenous treatment group (19%).
The most commonly reported serious adverse reactions in the subcutaneous treatment arm were pneumonia and pyrexia (2% each). In the intravenous treatment group, the most commonly reported serious adverse reactions were pneumonia, diarrhea, and peripheral sensory neuropathy (3% each).
In the subcutaneous treatment group, 27 patients (18%) discontinued study treatment due to an adverse reaction compared with 17 patients (23%) in the intravenous treatment group. Among the 147 subcutaneously-treated patients, the most commonly reported adverse reactions leading to discontinuation were peripheral sensory neuropathy (5%) and neuralgia (5%).
Among the 74 patients in the intravenous treatment group, the most commonly reported adverse reactions leading to treatment discontinuation were peripheral sensory neuropathy (9%) and neuralgia (9%). Two patients (1%) in the subcutaneous treatment group and one (1%) patient in the intravenous treatment group died due to an adverse reaction during treatment.
In the subcutaneous group the causes of death were one case of pneumonia and one case of sudden death. In the intravenous group the cause of death was coronary artery insufficiency. 3 mg/m 2 ) administered intravenously in combination with rituximab (375 mg/m 2 ), cyclophosphamide (750 mg/m 2 ), doxorubicin (50 mg/m 2 ), and prednisone (100 mg/m 2 ) (VcR-CAP) in a prospective randomized study.
Infections were reported for 31% of patients in the VcR-CAP arm and 23% of the patients in the comparator (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone [R-CHOP]) arm, including the predominant preferred term of pneumonia (VcR-CAP 8% vs R-CHOP 5%).
Table 12:
Most Commonly Reported Adverse Reactions (≥ 5%) with Grades 3 and ≥ 4 Intensity in the Previously Untreated Mantle Cell Lymphoma Study V c R-CAP ( n =240) R-CHOP ( n =242) Body System Adverse Reactions All n (%) Toxicity Grade 3 n (%) Toxicity Grade ≥4 n (%) All n (%) Toxicity Grade 3 n (%) Toxicity Grade ≥4 n (%) Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders Neutropenia 209 (87) 32 (13) 168 (70) 172 (71) 31 (13) 125 (52) Leukopenia 116 (48) 34 (14) 69 (29) 87 (36) 39 (16) 27 (11) Anemia 106 (44) 27 (11) 4 (2) 71 (29) 23 (10) 4 (2) Thrombocytopenia 172 (72) 59 (25) 76 (32) 42 (17) 9 (4) 3 (1) Febrile neutropenia 41 (17) 24 (10) 12 (5) 33 (14) 17 (7) 15 (6) Lymphopenia 68 (28) 25 (10) 36 (15) 28 (12) 15 (6) 2 (1) Nervous System Disorders Peripheral neuropathy * 71 (30) 17 (7) 1 (< 1) 65 (27) 10 (4) 0 Hypoesthesia 14 (6) 3 (1) 0 13 (5) 0 0 Paresthesia 14 (6) 2 (1) 0 11 (5) 0 0 Neuralgia 25 (10) 9 (4) 0 1 (<1) 0 0 General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions Fatigue 43 (18) 11 (5) 1 (< 1) 38 (16) 5 (2) 0 Pyrexia 48 (20) 7 (3) 0 23 (10) 5 (2) 0 Asthenia 29 (12) 4 (2) 1 (< 1) 18 (7) 1 (< 1) 0 Edema peripheral 16 (7) 1 (< 1) 0 13 (5) 0 0 Gastrointestinal Disorders Nausea 54 (23) 1 (< 1) 0 28 (12) 0 0 Constipation 42 (18) 1 (< 1) 0 22 (9) 2 (1) 0 Stomatitis 20 (8) 2 (1) 0 19 (8) 0 1 (< 1) Diarrhea 59 (25) 11 (5) 0 11 (5) 3 (1) 1 (< 1) Vomiting 24 (10) 1 (< 1) 0 8 (3) 0 0 Abdominal distension 13 (5) 0 0 4 (2) 0 0 Infections and Infestations Pneumonia 20 (8) 8 (3) 5 (2) 11 (5) 5 (2) 3 (1) Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders Alopecia 31 (13) 1 (< 1) 1 (< 1) 33 (14) 4 (2) 0 Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders Hyperglycemia 10 (4) 1 (< 1) 0 17 (7) 10 (4) 0 Decreased appetite 36 (15) 2 (1) 0 15 (6) 1 (< 1) 0 Vascular Disorders Hypertension 15 (6) 1 (< 1) 0 3 (1) 0 0 Psychiatric Disorders Insomnia 16 (7) 1 (< 1) 0 8 (3) 0 0 Key: R-CHOP= rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone; VcR-CAP= Bortezomib, rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and prednisone.
8% in the R-CHOP arm. Antiviral prophylaxis was mandated by protocol amendment. The incidences of Grade ≥3 bleeding events were similar between the two arms (four patients in the VcR-CAP arm and three patients in the R-CHOP arm). All of the Grade ≥3 bleeding events resolved without sequelae in the VcR-CAP arm.
Adverse reactions leading to discontinuation occurred in 8% of patients in VcR-CAP group and 6% of patients in R-CHOP group. In the VcR-CAP group, the most commonly reported adverse reaction leading to discontinuation was peripheral sensory neuropathy (1%; three patients).
The most commonly reported adverse reaction leading to discontinuation in the R-CHOP group was febrile neutropenia (<1%; two patients). 3 mg/m 2 /dose twice weekly for two weeks followed by a ten day rest period in 1163 patients with previously-treated multiple myeloma (N=1008) and previously-treated mantle cell lymphoma (N=155) were integrated and tabulated.
This analysis does not include data from the Phase 3 open-label study of bortezomib subcutaneous vs intravenous in relapsed multiple myeloma. In the integrated studies, the safety profile of bortezomib was similar in patients with multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma.
In the integrated analysis, the most commonly reported (> 20%) adverse reactions were nausea (49%), diarrhea (46%), asthenic conditions including fatigue (41%) and weakness (11%), peripheral neuropathies (38%), thrombocytopenia (32%), vomiting (28%), constipation (25%), and pyrexia (21%).
Eleven percent (11%) of patients experienced at least one episode of ≥ Grade 4 toxicity, most commonly thrombocytopenia (4%) and neutropenia (2%). In the Phase 2 relapsed multiple myeloma clinical trials of bortezomib administered intravenously, local skin irritation was reported in 5% of patients, but extravasation of bortezomib was not associated with tissue damage.
Serious Adverse Reactions and Adverse Reactions Leading to Treatment Discontinuation in the Integrated Summary of Safety A total of 26% of patients experienced a serious adverse reaction during the studies. The most commonly reported serious adverse reactions included diarrhea, vomiting and pyrexia (3% each), nausea, dehydration, and thrombocytopenia (2% each) and pneumonia, dyspnea, peripheral neuropathies, and herpes zoster (1% each).
Adverse reactions leading to discontinuation occurred in 22% of patients. The reasons for discontinuation included peripheral neuropathy (8%), and fatigue, thrombocytopenia, and diarrhea (2% each). In total, 2% of the patients died and the cause of death was considered by the investigator to be possibly related to study drug: including reports of cardiac arrest, congestive heart failure, respiratory failure, renal failure, pneumonia and sepsis.
Most Commonly Reported Adverse Reactions in the Integrated Summary of Safety The most common adverse reactions are shown in Table 13 . All adverse reactions occurring at ≥ 10% are included. In the absence of a randomized comparator arm, it is often not possible to distinguish between adverse events that are drug-caused and those that reflect the patient's underlying disease.
Please see the discussion of specific adverse reactions that follows. 3 mg/m 2 Dose (N=1163) All Patients (N=1163) Multiple Myeloma (N=1008) Mantle Cell Lymphoma (N=155) Adverse Reactions All ≥ Grade 3 All ≥ Grade 3 All ≥ Grade 3 Nausea 567 (49) 36 (3) 511 (51) 32 (3) 56 (36) 4 (3) Diarrhea NOS 530 (46) 83 (7) 470 (47) 72 (7) 60 (39) 11 (7) Fatigue 477 (41) 86 (7) 396 (39) 71 (7) 81 (52) 15 (10) Peripheral neuropathies * 443 (38) 129 (11) 359 (36) 110 (11) 84 (54) 19 (12) Thrombocytopenia 369 (32) 295 (25) 344 (34) 283 (28) 25 (16) 12 (8) Vomiting NOS 321 (28) 44 (4) 286 (28) 40 (4) 35 (23) 4 (3) Constipation 296 (25) 17 (1) 244 (24) 14 (1) 52 (34) 3 (2) Pyrexia 249 (21) 16 (1) 233 (23) 15 (1) 16 (10) 1 (< 1) Anorexia 227 (20) 19 (2) 205 (20) 16 (2) 22 (14) 3 (2) Anemia NOS 209 (18) 65 (6) 190 (19) 63 (6) 19 (12) 2 (1) Headache NOS 175 (15) 8 (< 1) 160 (16) 8 (< 1) 15 (10) 0 Neutropenia 172 (15) 121 (10) 164 (16) 117 (12) 8 (5) 4 (3) Rash NOS 156 (13) 8 (< 1) 120 (12) 4 (< 1) 36 (23) 4 (3) Paresthesia 147 (13) 9 (< 1) 136 (13) 8 (< 1) 11 (7) 1 (< 1) Dizziness (excl vertigo) 129 (11) 13 (1) 101 (10) 9 (< 1) 28 (18) 4 (3) Weakness 124 (11) 31 (3) 106 (11) 28 (3) 18 (12) 3 (2) * Represents High Level Term Peripheral Neuropathies NEC Description of Selected Adverse Reactions from the Integrated Phase 2 and 3 Relapsed Multiple Myeloma and Phase 2 Relapsed Mantle Cell Lymphoma Studies Gastrointestinal Toxicity A total of 75% of patients experienced at least one gastrointestinal disorder.
The most common gastrointestinal disorders included nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, and appetite decreased. Other gastrointestinal disorders included dyspepsia and dysgeusia. Grade 3 adverse reactions occurred in 14% of patients; ≥ Grade 4 adverse reactions were ≤ 1%.
Gastrointestinal adverse reactions were considered serious in 7% of patients. Four percent (4%) of patients discontinued due to a gastrointestinal adverse reaction. Nausea was reported more often in patients with multiple myeloma (51%) compared to patients with mantle cell lymphoma (36%).
Thrombocytopenia Across the studies, bortezomib-associated thrombocytopenia was characterized by a decrease in platelet count during the dosing period (Days 1 to 11) and a return toward baseline during the ten day rest period during each treatment cycle.
Overall, thrombocytopenia was reported in 32% of patients. 7) ] . Thrombocytopenia was reported more often in patients with multiple myeloma (34%) compared to patients with mantle cell lymphoma (16%). The incidence of ≥ Grade 3 thrombocytopenia also was higher in patients with multiple myeloma (28%) compared to patients with mantle cell lymphoma (8%).
Peripheral Neuropathy Overall, peripheral neuropathies occurred in 38% of patients. Peripheral neuropathy was Grade 3 for 11% of patients and ≥ Grade 4 for < 1% of patients. Eight percent (8%) of patients discontinued bortezomib due to peripheral neuropathy.
The incidence of peripheral neuropathy was higher among patients with mantle cell lymphoma (54%) compared to patients with multiple myeloma (36%). 8 months from first onset. In the Phase 2 relapsed multiple myeloma studies, among the 30 patients who experienced Grade 2 peripheral neuropathy resulting in discontinuation or who experienced ≥ Grade 3 peripheral neuropathy, 73% reported improvement or resolution with a median time of 47 days to improvement of one grade or more from the last dose of bortezomib.
Hypotension The incidence of hypotension (postural, orthostatic and hypotension NOS) was 8% in patients treated with bortezomib. Hypotension was Grade 1 or 2 in the majority of patients and Grade 3 in 2% and ≥ Grade 4 in < 1%. Two percent (2%) of patients had hypotension reported as a serious adverse reaction, and 1% discontinued due to hypotension.
The incidence of hypotension was similar in patients with multiple myeloma (8%) and those with mantle cell lymphoma (9%). In addition, < 1% of patients experienced hypotension associated with a syncopal reaction. Neutropenia Neutrophil counts decreased during the bortezomib dosing period (Days 1 to 11) and returned toward baseline during the ten day rest period during each treatment cycle.
Overall, neutropenia occurred in 15% of patients and was Grade 3 in 8% of patients and ≥ Grade 4 in 2%. Neutropenia was reported as a serious adverse reaction in < 1% of patients and < 1% of patients discontinued due to neutropenia.
The incidence of neutropenia was higher in patients with multiple myeloma (16%) compared to patients with mantle cell lymphoma (5%). The incidence of ≥ Grade 3 neutropenia also was higher in patients with multiple myeloma (12%) compared to patients with mantle cell lymphoma (3%).
Asthenic Conditions (Fatigue, Malaise, Weakness, Asthenia) Asthenic conditions were reported in 54% of patients. Fatigue was reported as Grade 3 in 7% and ≥ Grade 4 in < 1% of patients. Asthenia was reported as Grade 3 in 2% and ≥ Grade 4 in < 1% of patients.
Two percent (2%) of patients discontinued treatment due to fatigue and < 1% due to weakness and asthenia. Asthenic conditions were reported in 53% of patients with multiple myeloma and 59% of patients with mantle cell lymphoma. Pyrexia Pyrexia (> 38ºC) was reported as an adverse reaction for 21% of patients.
The reaction was Grade 3 in 1% and ≥ Grade 4 in < 1%. Pyrexia was reported as a serious adverse reaction in 3% of patients and led to bortezomib discontinuation in < 1% of patients. The incidence of pyrexia was higher among patients with multiple myeloma (23%) compared to patients with mantle cell lymphoma (10%).
The incidence of ≥ Grade 3 pyrexia was 1% in patients with multiple myeloma and < 1% in patients with mantle cell lymphoma. Herpes Virus Infection Consider using antiviral prophylaxis in subjects being treated with bortezomib. In the randomized studies in previously untreated and relapsed multiple myeloma, herpes zoster reactivation was more common in subjects treated with bortezomib (ranging between 6 to 11%) than in the control groups (3 to 4%).
Herpes simplex was seen in 1 to 3% in subjects treated with bortezomib and 1 to 3% in the control groups. In the previously untreated multiple myeloma study, herpes zoster virus reactivation in the bortezomib, melphalan and prednisone arm was less common in subjects receiving prophylactic antiviral therapy (3%) than in subjects who did not receive prophylactic antiviral therapy (17%).
Retreatment in Relapsed Multiple Myeloma A single-arm trial was conducted in 130 patients with relapsed multiple myeloma to determine the efficacy and safety of retreatment with intravenous bortezomib. The safety profile of patients in this trial is consistent with the known safety profile of bortezomib-treated patients with relapsed multiple myeloma as demonstrated in Tables 10, 11 , and 13 ; no cumulative toxicities were observed upon retreatment.
The most common adverse drug reaction was thrombocytopenia which occurred in 52% of the patients. The incidence of ≥ Grade 3 thrombocytopenia was 24%. Peripheral neuropathy occurred in 28% of patients, with the incidence of ≥ Grade 3 peripheral neuropathy reported at 6%.
3%. 5% each). Adverse reactions leading to discontinuation occurred in 13% of patients. The reasons for discontinuation included peripheral neuropathy (5%) and diarrhea (3%). Two deaths considered to be bortezomib-related occurred within 30 days of the last bortezomib dose; one in a patient with cerebrovascular accident and one in a patient with sepsis.
Additional Adverse Reactions from Clinical Studies The following clinically important serious adverse reactions that are not described above have been reported in clinical trials in patients treated with bortezomib administered as monotherapy or in combination with other chemotherapeutics.
These studies were conducted in patients with hematological malignancies and in solid tumors. 2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified from the worldwide postmarketing experience with bortezomib.
Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure: Cardiac Disorders: Cardiac tamponade Ear and Labyrinth Disorders: Deafness bilateral Eye Disorders: Optic neuropathy, blindness, chalazion/blepharitis Gastrointestinal Disorders: Ischemic colitis Infections and Infestations: Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), ophthalmic herpes, herpes meningoencephalitis Nervous System Disorders: Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES, formerly RPLS), Guillain-Barré syndrome, demyelinating polyneuropathy Respiratory, Thoracic and Mediastinal Disorders: Acute diffuse infiltrative pulmonary disease Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders: Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN), acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis (Sweet's syndrome)