What is Bortezomib Injection ?
Bortezomib is a medication available in injectable form and is primarily used in the treatment of multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma. It belongs to the class of drugs known as proteasome inhibitors.
Bortezomib Injection Uses
- Multiple Myeloma: Bortezomib is a standard treatment for multiple myeloma, a type of cancer that affects plasma cells in the bone marrow.
- Mantle Cell Lymphoma: Bortezomib is also used in the treatment of mantle cell lymphoma, a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Bortezomib Injection – Mechanism of Action and Pharmacology
Bortezomib is a proteasome inhibitor that interferes with the proteasome, a protein complex within cells that plays a critical role in controlling the degradation of other proteins. The proteasome is involved in breaking down proteins that regulate cell cycle, cell signaling, and apoptosis (programmed cell death). By inhibiting the proteasome, bortezomib disrupts these processes, leading to accumulation of proteins that promote cell death, especially in cancer cells.
Specifically, bortezomib inhibits the proteasome’s chymotrypsin-like activity, resulting in the accumulation of misfolded or damaged proteins within the cell. This accumulation ultimately triggers cell stress responses and leads to apoptosis in cancer cells.
Bortezomib Injection – Side-effects
- Nausea and Vomiting: These are common side effects and may occur during treatment.
- Fatigue: Many individuals experience fatigue and weakness during treatment.
- Thrombocytopenia: Bortezomib can decrease platelet count, increasing the risk of bleeding.
