bortezomib + irinotecan

This drug is a combination of two anticancer agents, bortezomib and irinotecan, used in combination chemotherapy regimens primarily for advanced or refractory cancers such as gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma, gastric adenocarcinoma, colorectal cancer, and neuroblastoma. Bortezomib is a selective and reversible proteasome inhibitor that disrupts the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway leading to apoptosis of malignant cells. Irinotecan is a camptothecin prodrug that inhibits topoisomerase I enzyme activity through its active metabolite SN-38, causing DNA damage and cell death. The combination aims to exploit complementary mechanisms—proteasome inhibition by bortezomib sensitizes tumor cells to chemotherapy including topoisomerase inhibitors like irinotecan. Clinical trials have shown this combination to be generally well tolerated with manageable toxicity profiles but with modest clinical efficacy in unselected patient populations for gastrointestinal cancers. Some evidence suggests potential benefit in relapsed/refractory neuroblastoma with prolonged stable disease observed. Toxicities include neutropenia, diarrhea, fatigue, thrombocytopenia, peripheral neuropathy among others.

Brand names

CamptosarOnivydeVelcade

Other names

bortezomib plus irinotecan