Velcade Drug Information

Multiple Myeloma

VELCADE is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with multiple myeloma.

Mantle Cell Lymphoma

VELCADE is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with mantle cell lymphoma.

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. Summary of Clinical Trial in Patients with Previously Untreated Multiple Myeloma Table 9 describes safety data from 340 patients with previously untreated multiple myeloma who received VELCADE (1.3 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 VELCADE in combination with melphalan/prednisone is consistent with the known safety profiles of both VELCADE and melphalan/prednisone.

Table 9: Most Commonly Reported Adverse Reactions (≥10% in the VELCADE, Melphalan and Prednisone Arm) with Grades 3 and ≥4 Intensity in the Previously Untreated Multiple Myeloma Study VELCADE, 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 60 57 140 48 39 Neutropenia 160 101 33 143 77 42 Anemia 109 41 4 156 61 18 Leukopenia 108 64 8 93 53 11 Lymphopenia 78 46 17 51 26 7 Gastrointestinal Disorders Nausea 134 10 0 70 1 (<1) 0 Diarrhea 119 19 2 20 1 (<1) 0 Vomiting 87 13 0 41 2 0 Constipation 77 2 0 14 0 0 Abdominal pain upper 34 1 (<1) 0 20 0 0 Nervous System Disorders Peripheral neuropathy Represents High Level Term Peripheral Neuropathies NEC 156 42 2 4 0 0 Neuralgia 117 27 2 1 (<1) 0 0 Paresthesia 42 6 0 4 0 0 General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions Fatigue 85 19 2 48 4 0 Asthenia 54 18 0 23 3 0 Pyrexia 53 4 0 19 1 (<1) 1 (<1) Infections and Infestations Herpes Zoster 39 11 0 9 4 0 Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders Anorexia 64 6 0 19 0 0 Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders Rash 38 2 0 7 0 0 Psychiatric Disorders Insomnia 35 1 (<1) 0 21 0 0 Relapsed Multiple Myeloma Randomized Study of VELCADE vs Dexamethasone The safety data described below and in Table 10 reflect exposure to either VELCADE (n=331) or dexamethasone (n=332) in a study of patients with relapsed multiple myeloma. VELCADE was administered intravenously at doses of 1.3 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. Duration of treatment was up to 11 cycles (nine months) with a median duration of six cycles (4.1 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. Creatinine clearance could be as low as 20 mL/min and bilirubin levels as high as 1.5 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.

Most patients were Caucasian . Among the 331 VELCADE-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 VELCADE-treated 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 VELCADE 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 VELCADE 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 VELCADE 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 VELCADE treatment group and 61 (18%) of 332 patients in the dexamethasone treatment group were discontinued from treatment due to adverse reactions. Among the 331 VELCADE-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 VELCADE-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 VELCADE 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 VELCADE arm are included. Table 10: Most Commonly Reported Adverse Reactions (≥10% in VELCADE Arm), with Grades 3 and 4 Intensity in the Relapsed Multiple Myeloma Study of VELCADE vs Dexamethasone (N=663) VELCADE (N=331) Dexamethasone (N=332) Adverse Reactions All Grade 3 Grade 4 All Grade 3 Grade 4 Any Adverse Reactions 324 193 28 297 110 29 Nausea 172 8 0 31 0 0 Diarrhea NOS 171 22 0 36 2 (<1) 0 Fatigue 130 15 0 82 8 0 Peripheral neuropathies Represents High Level Term Peripheral Neuropathies NEC 115 23 2 (<1) 14 0 1 (<1) Thrombocytopenia 109 80 12 11 5 1 (<1) Constipation 99 6 0 27 1 (<1) 0 Vomiting NOS 96 8 0 10 1 (<1) 0 Anorexia 68 8 0 8 1 (<1) 0 Pyrexia 66 2 (<1) 0 21 3 (<1) 1 (<1) Paresthesia 64 5 0 24 0 0 Anemia NOS 63 20 1 (<1) 21 8 0 Headache NOS 62 3 (<1) 0 23 1 (<1) 0 Neutropenia 58 37 8 1 (<1) 1 (<1) 0 Rash NOS 43 3 (<1) 0 7 0 0 Appetite decreased NOS 36 0 0 12 0 0 Dyspnea NOS 35 11 1 (<1) 37 7 1 (<1) Abdominal pain NOS 35 5 0 7 0 0 Weakness 34 10 0 28 8 0 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 VELCADE treatment. These patients were treated for a total of 5.3 to 23 months, including time on VELCADE in the prior VELCADE study . Safety Experience from the Phase 3 Open-Label Study of VELCADE Subcutaneous vs Intravenous in Relapsed Multiple Myeloma The safety and efficacy of VELCADE administered subcutaneously were evaluated in one Phase 3 study at the recommended dose of 1.3 mg/m 2. This was a randomized, comparative study of VELCADE subcutaneous vs intravenous in 222 patients with relapsed multiple myeloma.

The safety data described below and in Table 11 reflect exposure to either VELCADE subcutaneous (N=147) or VELCADE intravenous (N=74) . Table 11: Most Commonly Reported Adverse Reactions (≥10%), with Grade 3 and ≥4 Intensity in the Relapsed Multiple Myeloma Study (N=221) of VELCADE 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 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 Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders Anemia 28 8 0 17 3 0 Leukopenia 26 8 0 15 4 1 Neutropenia 34 15 4 20 10 3 Thrombocytopenia 44 7 5 25 7 5 Gastrointestinal Disorders Diarrhea 28 1 0 21 3 0 Nausea 24 0 0 10 0 0 Vomiting 13 3 0 8 0 0 General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions Asthenia 10 1 0 12 4 0 Fatigue 11 3 0 11 3 0 Pyrexia 18 0 0 6 0 0 Nervous System Disorders Neuralgia 34 5 0 17 7 0 Peripheral neuropathies Represents High Level Term Peripheral Neuropathies NEC 55 8 1 37 10 1 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 VELCADE 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. Safety Experience from the Clinical Trial in Patients with Previously Untreated Mantle Cell Lymphoma Table 12 describes safety data from 240 patients with previously untreated mantle cell lymphoma who received VELCADE (1.3 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 ) 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 VcR-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 (%) Key: R-CHOP = rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone; VcR-CAP = VELCADE, rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and prednisone. Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders Neutropenia 209 32 168 172 31 125 Leukopenia 116 34 69 87 39 27 Anemia 106 27 4 71 23 4 Thrombocytopenia 172 59 76 42 9 3 Febrile neutropenia 41 24 12 33 17 15 Lymphopenia 68 25 36 28 15 2 Nervous System Disorders Peripheral neuropathy Represents High Level Term Peripheral Neuropathies NEC 71 17 1 (<1) 65 10 0 Hypoesthesia 14 3 0 13 0 0 Paresthesia 14 2 0 11 0 0 Neuralgia 25 9 0 1 (<1) 0 0 General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions Fatigue 43 11 1 (<1) 38 5 0 Pyrexia 48 7 0 23 5 0 Asthenia 29 4 1 (<1) 18 1 (<1) 0 Edema peripheral 16 1 (<1) 0 13 0 0 Gastrointestinal Disorders Nausea 54 1 (<1) 0 28 0 0 Constipation 42 1 (<1) 0 22 2 0 Stomatitis 20 2 0 19 0 1 (<1) Diarrhea 59 11 0 11 3 1 (<1) Vomiting 24 1 (<1) 0 8 0 0 Abdominal distension 13 0 0 4 0 0 Infections and Infestations Pneumonia 20 8 5 11 5 3 Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders Alopecia 31 1 (<1) 1 (<1) 33 4 0 Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders Hyperglycemia 10 1 (<1) 0 17 10 0 Decreased appetite 36 2 0 15 1 (<1) 0 Vascular Disorders Hypertension 15 1 (<1) 0 3 0 0 Psychiatric Disorders Insomnia 16 1 (<1) 0 8 0 0 The incidence of herpes zoster reactivation was 4.6% in the VcR-CAP arm and 0.8% 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). Integrated Summary of Safety (Relapsed Multiple Myeloma and Relapsed Mantle Cell Lymphoma) Safety data from Phase 2 and 3 studies of single agent VELCADE 1.3 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 VELCADE subcutaneous vs intravenous in relapsed multiple myeloma. In the integrated studies, the safety profile of VELCADE 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 VELCADE administered intravenously, local skin irritation was reported in 5% of patients, but extravasation of VELCADE 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.

Table 13: Most Commonly Reported (≥10% Overall) Adverse Reactions in Integrated Analyses of Relapsed Multiple Myeloma and Relapsed Mantle Cell Lymphoma Studies Using the 1.3 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 36 511 32 56 4 Diarrhea NOS 530 83 470 72 60 11 Fatigue 477 86 396 71 81 15 Peripheral neuropathies Represents High Level Term Peripheral Neuropathies NEC 443 129 359 110 84 19 Thrombocytopenia 369 295 344 283 25 12 Vomiting NOS 321 44 286 40 35 4 Constipation 296 17 244 14 52 3 Pyrexia 249 16 233 15 16 1 (<1) Anorexia 227 19 205 16 22 3 Anemia NOS 209 65 190 63 19 2 Headache NOS 175 8 (<1) 160 8 (<1) 15 0 Neutropenia 172 121 164 117 8 4 Rash NOS 156 8 (<1) 120 4 (<1) 36 4 Paresthesia 147 9 (<1) 136 8 (<1) 11 1 (<1) Dizziness (excl vertigo) 129 13 101 9 (<1) 28 4 Weakness 124 31 106 28 18 3 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, VELCADE-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. Thrombocytopenia was Grade 3 in 22%, ≥Grade 4 in 4%, and serious in 2% of patients, and the reaction resulted in VELCADE discontinuation in 2% of patients . 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 VELCADE 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%). In the VELCADE vs dexamethasone Phase 3 relapsed multiple myeloma study, among the 62 VELCADE-treated patients who experienced ≥Grade 2 peripheral neuropathy and had dose adjustments, 48% had improved or resolved with a median of 3.8 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 VELCADE. Hypotension The incidence of hypotension (postural, orthostatic and hypotension NOS) was 8% in patients treated with VELCADE. 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 VELCADE 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 (>38°C) 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 VELCADE 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 VELCADE. In the randomized studies in previously untreated and relapsed multiple myeloma, herpes zoster reactivation was more common in subjects treated with VELCADE (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 VELCADE and 1 to 3% in the control groups.

In the previously untreated multiple myeloma study, herpes zoster virus reactivation in the VELCADE, 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 VELCADE. The safety profile of patients in this trial is consistent with the known safety profile of VELCADE-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%. The incidence of serious adverse reactions was 12.3%. The most commonly reported serious adverse reactions were thrombocytopenia (3.8%), diarrhea (2.3%), and herpes zoster and pneumonia (1.5% 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 VELCADE-related occurred within 30 days of the last VELCADE 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 VELCADE administered as monotherapy or in combination with other chemotherapeutics. These studies were conducted in patients with hematological malignancies and in solid tumors.

Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders: Anemia, disseminated intravascular coagulation, febrile neutropenia, lymphopenia, leukopenia Cardiac Disorders: Angina pectoris, atrial fibrillation aggravated, atrial flutter, bradycardia, sinus arrest, cardiac amyloidosis, complete atrioventricular block, myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction, pericarditis, pericardial effusion, Torsades de pointes, ventricular tachycardia Ear and Labyrinth Disorders: Hearing impaired, vertigo Eye Disorders: Diplopia and blurred vision, conjunctival infection, irritation Gastrointestinal Disorders: Abdominal pain, ascites, dysphagia, fecal impaction, gastroenteritis, gastritis hemorrhagic, hematemesis, hemorrhagic duodenitis, ileus paralytic, large intestinal obstruction, paralytic intestinal obstruction, peritonitis, small intestinal obstruction, large intestinal perforation, stomatitis, melena, pancreatitis acute, oral mucosal petechiae, gastroesophageal reflux General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions: Chills, edema, edema peripheral, injection site erythema, neuralgia, injection site pain, irritation, malaise, phlebitis Hepatobiliary Disorders: Cholestasis, hepatic hemorrhage, hyperbilirubinemia, portal vein thrombosis, hepatitis, liver failure Immune System Disorders: Anaphylactic reaction, drug hypersensitivity, immune complex mediated hypersensitivity, angioedema, laryngeal edema Infections and Infestations: Aspergillosis, bacteremia, bronchitis, urinary tract infection, herpes viral infection, listeriosis, nasopharyngitis, pneumonia, respiratory tract infection, septic shock, toxoplasmosis, oral candidiasis, sinusitis, catheter-related infection Injury, Poisoning and Procedural Complications: Catheter-related complication, skeletal fracture, subdural hematoma Investigations: Weight decreased Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders: Dehydration, hypocalcemia, hyperuricemia, hypokalemia, hyperkalemia, hyponatremia, hypernatremia Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders: Arthralgia, back pain, bone pain, myalgia, pain in extremity Nervous System Disorders: Ataxia, coma, dizziness, dysarthria, dysesthesia, dysautonomia, encephalopathy, cranial palsy, grand mal convulsion, headache, hemorrhagic stroke, motor dysfunction, neuralgia, spinal cord compression, paralysis, postherpetic neuralgia, transient ischemic attack Psychiatric Disorders: Agitation, anxiety, confusion, insomnia, mental status change, psychotic disorder, suicidal ideation Renal and Urinary Disorders: Calculus renal, bilateral hydronephrosis, bladder spasm, hematuria, hemorrhagic cystitis, urinary incontinence, urinary retention, renal failure (acute and chronic), glomerular nephritis proliferative Respiratory, Thoracic and Mediastinal Disorders: Acute respiratory distress syndrome, aspiration pneumonia, atelectasis, chronic obstructive airways disease exacerbated, cough, dysphagia, dyspnea, dyspnea exertional, epistaxis, hemoptysis, hypoxia, lung infiltration, pleural effusion, pneumonitis, respiratory distress, pulmonary hypertension Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders: Urticaria, face edema, rash (which may be pruritic), leukocytoclastic vasculitis, pruritus Vascular Disorders: Cerebrovascular accident, cerebral hemorrhage, deep venous thrombosis, hypertension, peripheral embolism, pulmonary embolism, pulmonary hypertension

Postmarketing Experience

The following adverse reactions have been identified from the worldwide postmarketing experience with VELCADE. 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)

Effects of Other Drugs on

VELCADE Strong CYP3A4 Inducers Coadministration with a strong CYP3A4 inducer decreases the exposure of bortezomib which may decrease VELCADE efficacy. Avoid coadministration with strong CYP3A4 inducers. Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors Coadministration with a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor increases the exposure of bortezomib which may increase the risk of VELCADE toxicities.

Monitor patients for signs of bortezomib toxicity and consider a bortezomib dose reduction if bortezomib must be given in combination with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors.

Drugs Without Clinically Significant Interactions with

VELCADE No clinically significant drug interactions have been observed when VELCADE was coadministered with dexamethasone, omeprazole, or melphalan in combination with prednisone .

Pregnancy Risk Summary Based on its mechanism of action and findings in animals, VELCADE can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. There are no studies with the use of VELCADE in pregnant women to inform drug-associated risks. Bortezomib caused embryo-fetal lethality in rabbits at doses lower than the clinical dose (see Data ). Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to the fetus.

Adverse outcomes in pregnancy occur regardless of the health of the mother or the use of medications. The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively.

Data Animal Data Bortezomib was not teratogenic in nonclinical developmental toxicity studies in rats and rabbits at the highest dose tested (0.075 mg/kg; 0.5 mg/m 2 in the rat and 0.05 mg/kg; 0.6 mg/m 2 in the rabbit) when administered during organogenesis. These dosages are approximately 0.5 times the clinical dose of 1.3 mg/m 2 based on body surface area. Bortezomib caused embryo-fetal lethality in rabbits at doses lower than the clinical dose (approximately 0.5 times the clinical dose of 1.3 mg/m 2 based on body surface area). Pregnant rabbits given bortezomib during organogenesis at a dose of 0.05 mg/kg (0.6 mg/m 2 ) experienced significant postimplantation loss and decreased number of live fetuses.

Live fetuses from these litters also showed significant decreases in fetal weight.

Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness have not been established in pediatric patients. The activity and safety of VELCADE in combination with intensive reinduction chemotherapy was evaluated in pediatric and young adult patients with lymphoid malignancies (pre-B cell ALL 77%, 16% with T-cell ALL, and 7% T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (LL)), all of whom relapsed within 36 months of initial diagnosis in a single-arm multicenter, nonrandomized cooperative group trial. An effective reinduction multiagent chemotherapy regimen was administered in three blocks.

Block 1 included vincristine, prednisone, doxorubicin and pegaspargase; Block 2 included cyclophosphamide, etoposide and methotrexate; Block 3 included high-dose cytosine arabinoside and asparaginase. VELCADE was administered at a dose of 1.3 mg/m 2 as a bolus intravenous injection on Days 1, 4, 8, and 11 of Block 1 and Days 1, 4, and 8 of Block 2. There were 140 patients with ALL or LL enrolled and evaluated for safety. The median age was ten years (range: 1 to 26), 57% were male, 70% were white, 14% were black, 4% were Asian, 2% were American Indian/Alaska Native, 1% were Pacific Islander.

The activity was evaluated in a prespecified subset of the first 60 evaluable patients enrolled on the study with pre-B ALL ≤21 years and relapsed <36 months from diagnosis. The complete remission (CR) rate at day 36 was compared to that in a historical control set of patients who had received the identical backbone therapy without VELCADE. There was no evidence that the addition of VELCADE had any impact on the CR rate. No new safety concerns were observed when VELCADE was added to a chemotherapy backbone regimen as compared with a historical control group in which the backbone regimen was given without VELCADE. The BSA-normalized clearance of bortezomib in pediatric patients was similar to that observed in adults.

is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity (not including local reactions) to bortezomib, boron, or mannitol. Reactions have included anaphylactic reactions . VELCADE is contraindicated for intrathecal administration. Fatal events have occurred with intrathecal administration of VELCADE. Patients with hypersensitivity (not including local reactions) to bortezomib, boron, or mannitol, including anaphylactic reactions.

Contraindicated for intrathecal administration.

There is no known specific antidote for VELCADE overdosage. In humans, fatal outcomes following the administration of more than twice the recommended therapeutic dose have been reported, which were associated with the acute onset of symptomatic hypotension and thrombocytopenia. In the event of an overdosage, the patient's vital signs should be monitored and appropriate supportive care given.

Studies in monkeys and dogs showed that intravenous bortezomib doses as low as two times the recommended clinical dose on a mg/m 2 basis were associated with increases in heart rate, decreases in contractility, hypotension, and death. In dog studies, a slight increase in the corrected QT interval was observed at doses resulting in death. In monkeys, doses of 3.0 mg/m 2 and greater (approximately twice the recommended clinical dose) resulted in hypotension starting at one hour postadministration, with progression to death in 12 to 14 hours following drug administration.