Objectives Carfilzomib is a new agent for the treatment of relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (MM). This article presents a comprehensive overview of the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, dosing schedule, safety, efficacy, preparation and administration of carfilzomib, and its role in treating MM patients. Key findings Carfilzomib is a selective proteasome inhibitor that differs structurally and mechanistically from bortezomib. In patients' whole-blood and peripheral-blood mononuclear cells, carfilzomib inhibited proteasomal and immunoproteasomal activity by 70-80%. Approved carfilzomib dosing is based on body surface area, and is given on days 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 and 16 of a 28-day cycle (20 mg/m 2 in cycle 1; 27 mg/m 2 in cycle 2+). Premedication with dexamethasone and adequate hydration are recommended to reduce the risk of adverse events. The median t1/2 of carfilzomib is short (0.29-0.48 h), with no accumulation detected between doses. In clinical studies in relapsed and refractory MM. and in combinations in newly diagnosed MM, single-agent carfilzomib demonstrated significant durable activity, good tolerability and a favourable safety profile, supporting its extended use. Conclusions Carfilzomib represents an important addition to the treatment armamentarium for patients with relapsed and/or refractory MM, and studies are underway evaluating the role of single-agent carfilzomib in additional clinical settings as well as in different combinations.
There have been a number of recent advances in the treatment of patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma. However, despite additional FDA-approved therapies including carfilzomib and pomalidomide as well as clinical trials investigating new combinations of existing treatments, multiple myeloma remains an incurable disease. New therapies currently in the drug development pipeline for relapsed and refractory disease include additional proteasome inhibitors (oprozomib, marizomib, ixazomib), histone deacetylase inhibitors (panobinostat, ricolinostat, quisinostat), monoclonal antibodies (daratumumab, elotuzumab, SAR650984), Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitors (ibrutinib), a selective inhibitor of nuclear export, and others. This review will focus on these newly developing therapies as well as the ever expanding role of the pharmacist in supportive care for patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma.
Although the majority of research pharmacy tasks related to direct patient care are performed by or under the direct supervision of pharmacists, a variety of other essential tasks are typically assigned to pharmacy technicians and other nonpharmacist staff.
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