Bortezomib
Bortezomib (trade name Velcade) is a first-generation, reversible inhibitor of the 26S proteasome and one of the most pivotal agents in modern hematologic oncology.
Bortezomib (trade name Velcade) is a first-generation, reversible inhibitor of the 26S proteasome and one of the most pivotal agents in modern hematologic oncology. It functions by blocking the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, which cells rely on to degrade misfolded, damaged, or regulatory proteins. By preventing this degradation, bortezomib triggers the accumulation of pro-apoptotic factors and disrupts the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling cascade, ultimately inducing programmed cell death in malignant cells. Its selective cytotoxicity against rapidly proliferating tumor cells — particularly plasma cells — established it as a cornerstone drug in the treatment of multiple myeloma and, subsequently, mantle cell lymphoma.
Beyond its established hematologic indications, bortezomib continues to be investigated in a broad array of solid tumors and rare hematologic malignancies, including AL amyloidosis, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), colorectal cancer, and uterine leiomyosarcoma. Its mechanism of action — inducing proteotoxic stress and activating the unfolded protein response — provides a rational basis for combination strategies with immunomodulatory agents, monoclonal antibodies, and novel targeted therapies. Resistance to bortezomib, driven by mechanisms including proteasome subunit mutations, upregulation of survival pathways, and alterations in the tumor microenvironment, remains a central challenge motivating ongoing drug development efforts.
Where the papers sit
15 papers from the last 6 months study bortezomib directly · updated from PubMed 10 Oct 2026
Study type 4 clinical trials · 3 observational · 2 human data · 4 preclinical · 2 unclassified
Themes 3 themes
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Daratumumab-Based Frontline Myeloma
Daratumumab-containing quadruplets are moving frontline treatment toward deeper responses and improved progression-free survival in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. DVRd is being compared with VRd in transplant-eligible patients, while CEPHEUS extends minimal residual disease assessment to transplant-ineligible or deferred patients. Infection risk and combination safety remain important, particularly with lenalidomide and dexamethasone. The evidence also highlights caution when interpreting interim trial analyses.
5 papers · 33.3%
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Myeloma Treatment and Renal Recovery
Deep hematologic responses are increasingly linked to renal recovery in multiple myeloma, including patients presenting with renal impairment. Pomalidomide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone are being evaluated in this setting, while selinexor-based combinations target high-risk newly diagnosed disease. Daratumumab-based therapy also shows durable survival benefit in amyloidosis. Circulating M-MDSC expansion may provide a response-associated biomarker, but the required depth and speed of response for renal rescue remain open questions.
5 papers · 33.3%
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Proteasome-Inhibitor Response Biology
Bortezomib sensitivity is being linked to ferroptosis, DNA-repair failure, PI3K/Akt inhibition, and reversal of tumor-associated immune suppression. MYBL2 knockdown, triptonide, tocotrienol, and syndecan-1-targeting strategies are being explored as ways to enhance antitumor activity or overcome resistance. The evidence is predominantly mechanistic and preclinical, spanning multiple myeloma and colorectal cancer. Genetic studies of bortezomib-induced peripheral neuropathy broaden the focus from efficacy toward treatment toxicity and patient susceptibility.
5 papers · 33.3%
Papers
The 15 papers from the last 6 months that study bortezomib directly, newest first, by theme and by study type. Study types come from PubMed publication types and MeSH headings.
By theme
Daratumumab-Based Frontline Myeloma (5)
- Interim analysis in clinical trials: caution against premature conclusions-the SWOG multiple myeloma S0777 case study. Trials · 28 Aug 2026 PMID 42661196
- Effectiveness of daratumumab plus bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (DVRd) versus VRd for transplant-eligible newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. Future oncology (London, England) · 14 Jul 2026 PMID 42444515
- Daratumumab in transplant-ineligible or -deferred newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: minimal residual disease in CEPHEUS. Blood advances · 3 Jun 2026 PMID 42234958
- The safety profile of lenalidomide, dexamethasone, daratumumab, and bortezomib combinations in multiple myeloma: a retrospective analysis of the FAERS database. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology · 22 May 2026 PMID 42171749
- Infections in patients receiving daratumumab for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: a pooled analysis of MAIA and ALCYONE. Blood advances · 5 May 2026 PMID 42085642
Myeloma Treatment and Renal Recovery (5)
- Renal rescue in myeloma: How deep does the hematologic response need to be? Med (New York, N.Y.) · 9 Oct 2026 PMID 42854676
- Pomalidomide plus bortezomib and dexamethasone for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma with renal impairment: Randomized phase II study (POM-MM-003). Med (New York, N.Y.) · 9 Sept 2026 PMID 42716009
- Selinexor combined bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma with high-risk factors: a single-arm, multi-center, prospective observational clinical study. Annals of medicine · 3 Aug 2026 PMID 42544613
- Circulating M-MDSC Expansion During Therapy Associates With Treatment Response in Multiple Myeloma: A Longitudinal Observational Study. Clinical and translational science · 30 Jun 2026 PMID 42374568
- Daratumumab-bortezomib-cyclophosphamide-dexamethasone for newly diagnosed amyloidosis: ANDROMEDA final survival analysis. Blood · 12 May 2026 PMID 42118698
Proteasome-Inhibitor Response Biology (5)
- Triptonide enhances DNA damage by inhibiting TRIP13‑mediated DNA repair and synergizes with bortezomib to suppress multiple myeloma. International journal of oncology · 17 Jul 2026 PMID 42464653
- MYBL2 Knockdown Enhances Ferroptosis and Bortezomib Sensitivity by Transcriptionally Regulating CDKN3 and Inactivating PI3K/Akt Signaling in Multiple Myeloma. Journal of biochemical and molecular toxicology · 25 Jun 2026 PMID 42345518
- SSTNIV, a syndecan-1-targeting peptide chimera, reverses immune suppression and inhibits myeloma progression. Signal transduction and targeted therapy · 11 May 2026 PMID 42115585
- Genetic Susceptibility and Inflammatory Mechanisms in Bortezomib-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: Insights From Whole Exome Sequencing and Transcriptomic Analysis. Journal of applied toxicology : JAT · 29 Apr 2026 PMID 42055794
- 6-O-Carboxypropyl-α-Tocotrienol Enhances the Anticancer Effects of Bortezomib Without Suppressing NRF1 and NRF3 in Colorectal Cancer Cells. Anticancer research · 28 Apr 2026 PMID 42049351
By study type
Clinical trials (4)
- Pomalidomide plus bortezomib and dexamethasone for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma with renal impairment: Randomized phase II study (POM-MM-003). Med (New York, N.Y.) · 9 Sept 2026 PMID 42716009
- Interim analysis in clinical trials: caution against premature conclusions-the SWOG multiple myeloma S0777 case study. Trials · 28 Aug 2026 PMID 42661196
- Daratumumab in transplant-ineligible or -deferred newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: minimal residual disease in CEPHEUS. Blood advances · 3 Jun 2026 PMID 42234958
- Daratumumab-bortezomib-cyclophosphamide-dexamethasone for newly diagnosed amyloidosis: ANDROMEDA final survival analysis. Blood · 12 May 2026 PMID 42118698
Observational studies and case reports (3)
- Selinexor combined bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma with high-risk factors: a single-arm, multi-center, prospective observational clinical study. Annals of medicine · 3 Aug 2026 PMID 42544613
- Effectiveness of daratumumab plus bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (DVRd) versus VRd for transplant-eligible newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. Future oncology (London, England) · 14 Jul 2026 PMID 42444515
- Circulating M-MDSC Expansion During Therapy Associates With Treatment Response in Multiple Myeloma: A Longitudinal Observational Study. Clinical and translational science · 30 Jun 2026 PMID 42374568
Human data, design not indexed (2)
- Renal rescue in myeloma: How deep does the hematologic response need to be? Med (New York, N.Y.) · 9 Oct 2026 PMID 42854676
- Infections in patients receiving daratumumab for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: a pooled analysis of MAIA and ALCYONE. Blood advances · 5 May 2026 PMID 42085642
Preclinical: animal, cell and lab studies (4)
- Triptonide enhances DNA damage by inhibiting TRIP13‑mediated DNA repair and synergizes with bortezomib to suppress multiple myeloma. International journal of oncology · 17 Jul 2026 PMID 42464653
- MYBL2 Knockdown Enhances Ferroptosis and Bortezomib Sensitivity by Transcriptionally Regulating CDKN3 and Inactivating PI3K/Akt Signaling in Multiple Myeloma. Journal of biochemical and molecular toxicology · 25 Jun 2026 PMID 42345518
- SSTNIV, a syndecan-1-targeting peptide chimera, reverses immune suppression and inhibits myeloma progression. Signal transduction and targeted therapy · 11 May 2026 PMID 42115585
- 6-O-Carboxypropyl-α-Tocotrienol Enhances the Anticancer Effects of Bortezomib Without Suppressing NRF1 and NRF3 in Colorectal Cancer Cells. Anticancer research · 28 Apr 2026 PMID 42049351
Unclassified: not yet indexed with MeSH (2)
- The safety profile of lenalidomide, dexamethasone, daratumumab, and bortezomib combinations in multiple myeloma: a retrospective analysis of the FAERS database. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology · 22 May 2026 PMID 42171749
- Genetic Susceptibility and Inflammatory Mechanisms in Bortezomib-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: Insights From Whole Exome Sequencing and Transcriptomic Analysis. Journal of applied toxicology : JAT · 29 Apr 2026 PMID 42055794
Written from 15 PubMed abstracts, each one listed by PMID above. Published: 2026-06-14. Last written: 2026-08-30 by GPT. Drafted by language models from published abstracts; not medical advice.