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Screen for hepatitis B virus in all cancer patients starting systemic treatment. Find out more about hepatitis B virus screening and management.

Drug Formulary information is intended for use by healthcare professionals. It is not intended to be medical advice. Some of the information, including information about funding for cancer drugs, does not apply to all patients. Cancer treatment plans are unique to each patient. If you are a patient, please speak with your healthcare team to understand how this information applies to you.

A - Regimen Name

BORTDEXAPOMA Regimen
Bortezomib-Dexamethasone-Pomalidomide


Disease Site
Hematologic
Multiple Myeloma


Intent
Palliative

Regimen Category
Evidence-informed :

Regimen is considered appropriate as part of the standard care of patients; meaningfully  improves outcomes (survival, quality of life), tolerability or costs compared to alternatives (recommended by the Disease Site Team and national consensus body e.g. pan-Canadian Oncology Drug Review, pCODR).  Recommendation is based on an appropriately conducted phase III clinical trial relevant to the Canadian context OR (where phase III trials are not feasible) an appropriately sized phase II trial. Regimens where one or more drugs are not approved by Health Canada for any indication will be identified under Rationale and Use.

This Regimen Abstract is an abbreviated version of a Regimen Monograph and contains only top level information on usage, dosing, schedule, cycle length and special notes (if available). Information in regimen abstracts is accurate to the extent of the ST-QBP regimen master listings, and has not undergone the full review process of a regimen monograph. Full regimen monographs will be published for each ST-QBP regimen as they are developed.


Supplementary Public Funding

bortezomib
New Drug Funding Program (Bortezomib - Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma)

dexamethasone
ODB - General Benefit (dexamethasone) (ODB Formulary)


Additional Information

Regimen may also be used for light-chain amyloidosis

 
B - Drug Regimen

Pomalidomide may only be prescribed and dispensed by physicians and pharmacists registered with a controlled distribution program. Patients must also be registered and meet all conditions of the program.


Cycles 1 to 8:

bortezomib
1.3 mg /m² IV / Subcut Days 1, 4, 8, 11
dexamethasone
20 mg PO Days 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12*
pomalidomide
4 mg PO Daily Days 1 to 14
(This drug is not currently publicly funded for this regimen and intent)

 

Cycle 9 and onwards:

bortezomib
1.3 mg /m² IV / Subcut Days 1, 8
dexamethasone
20 mg PO Days 1, 2, 8, 9*
pomalidomide
4 mg PO Daily Days 1 to 14
(This drug is not currently publicly funded for this regimen and intent)


*In elderly patients (>75 years), the dexamethasone dose should be reduced (i.e. to 10 mg on the days above).

 


Alternative Schedule 1 (bortezomib weekly; q21 day schedule for all cycles):

bortezomib
1.3 mg /m² IV / Subcut Days 1, 8 and 15
dexamethasone
20 mg PO Days 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16*


* In Richardson et al, dexamethasone was given on the day of bortezomib treatment and the day after. In elderly patients (> 75 years), the dexamethasone dose should be reduced (i.e. to 10 mg on the days above)

pomalidomide
4 mg PO Daily Days 1 to 14
(This drug is not currently publicly funded for this regimen and intent)

 


Alternative Schedule 2 (bortezomib weekly; q28 day schedule for all cycles):

bortezomib
1.3 mg /m² IV / Subcut Days 1, 8, 15 and 22
dexamethasone
40 mg PO Days 1, 8, 15 and 22**


**In Richardson et al, dexamethasone 20mg was given on the day of bortezomib treatment and 20 mg on the day after. In elderly patients (>75 years), the dexamethasone dose should be reduced by 50%.

pomalidomide
4 mg PO Daily Days 1 to 21
(This drug is not currently publicly funded for this regimen and intent)
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C - Cycle Frequency

REPEAT EVERY 21 DAYS

Until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity
 

Alternative Schedule 1:  REPEAT EVERY 21 DAYS

Alternative Schedule 2:  REPEAT EVERY 28 DAYS

 
D - Premedication and Supportive Measures

Antiemetic Regimen:

Low
No routine prophylaxis for pomalidomide

Screen for hepatitis B virus in all cancer patients starting systemic treatment. Refer to the hepatitis B virus screening and management guideline.

Other Supportive Care:

  • Prophylactic antithrombotics, such as low dose aspirin, low molecular weight heparins or warfarin, are recommended.
  • Patients at risk of tumour lysis syndrome should have appropriate prophylaxis and be monitored closely.
  • Consider the use of antiviral prophylaxis against herpes zoster (shingles) during bortezomib therapy.
 
K - References

Lacy MG, LaPlant BR, Laumann KM et al.  Pomalidomide, bortezomib and dexamethasone (PVD) for patients with relapsed lenalidomide refractory multiple myeloma. Blood 2014;124(21):304.

Mikkhael JR, Roy V, Richardson PG, et al. A phase I/II trial Of pomalidomide, bortezomib and dexamethasone In patients with relpased Or refractory multiple myeloma. ASH Annual Meeting, 2013 (abstract 1940)

Pomalidomide drug monograph. Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario).

Pomalidomide - pCODR Expert Review Committee Final Recommendation, September 18, 2019.

Richardson PG, Oriol A, Beksac M,et al.  Pomalidomide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma previously treated with lenalidomide (OPTIMISMM): a randomised, open-label, phase 3 trial.  Lancet Oncol 2019 Jun;20(6):781-794.


April 2023 Updated Premedication and Supportive Measures section


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M - Disclaimer

Regimen Abstracts
A Regimen Abstract is an abbreviated version of a Regimen Monograph and contains only top level information on usage, dosing, schedule, cycle length and special notes (if available). It is intended for healthcare providers and is to be used for informational purposes only. It is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for medical advice, and all uses of the Regimen Abstract are subject to clinical judgment. Such information is provided on an “as-is” basis, without any representation, warranty, or condition, whether express, or implied, statutory or otherwise, as to the information’s quality, accuracy, currency, completeness, or reliability, and Cancer Care Ontario disclaims all liability for the use of this information, and for any claims, actions, demands or suits that arise from such use.
Information in regimen abstracts is accurate to the extent of the ST-QBP regimen master listings, and has not undergone the full review process of a regimen monograph.  Full regimen monographs will be published for each ST-QBP regimen as they are developed.
Regimen Monographs
Refer to the New Drug Funding Program or Ontario Public Drug Programs websites for the most up-to-date public funding information.
The information set out in the drug monographs, regimen monographs, appendices and symptom management information (for health professionals) contained in the Drug Formulary (the "Formulary") is intended for healthcare providers and is to be used for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects of a particular drug, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for a given condition. The information in the Formulary is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for medical advice and should not be relied upon in any such regard. All uses of the Formulary are subject to clinical judgment and actual prescribing patterns may not follow the information provided in the Formulary.
The format and content of the drug monographs, regimen monographs, appendices and symptom management information contained in the Formulary will change as they are reviewed and revised on a periodic basis. The date of last revision will be visible on each page of the monograph and regimen. Since standards of usage are constantly evolving, it is advised that the Formulary not be used as the sole source of information. It is strongly recommended that original references or product monograph be consulted prior to using a chemotherapy regimen for the first time.
Some Formulary documents, such as the medication information sheets, regimen information sheets and symptom management information (for patients), are intended for patients. Patients should always consult with their healthcare provider if they have questions regarding any information set out in the Formulary documents.
While care has been taken in the preparation of the information contained in the Formulary, such information is provided on an “as-is” basis, without any representation, warranty, or condition, whether express, or implied, statutory or otherwise, as to the information’s quality, accuracy, currency, completeness, or reliability.
CCO and the Formulary’s content providers shall have no liability, whether direct, indirect, consequential, contingent, special, or incidental, related to or arising from the information in the Formulary or its use thereof, whether based on breach of contract or tort (including negligence), and even if advised of the possibility thereof. Anyone using the information in the Formulary does so at his or her own risk, and by using such information, agrees to indemnify CCO and its content providers from any and all liability, loss, damages, costs and expenses (including legal fees and expenses) arising from such person’s use of the information in the Formulary.