Risk of skin rash with the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib: Updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract

9092 Background: Rash is a common, adverse event to the novel proteasome inhibitor bortezomib (Velcade). Indicated for the treatment of multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma, bortezomib is the first proteasome inhibitor approved by regulatory agencies. Because the incidence of bortezomib-induced skin rash varies widely in published manuscripts, we performed a systematic literature review and meta-analysis to determine the incidence and overall risk. Methods: We searched PubMed and Web of Science databases and abstracts presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology and The American Society of Hematology annual meetings (1998 to July 2011) to identify relevant clinical studies. Eligible studies included prospective clinical phase II and phase III trials, with data on the incidence of rash in patients taking 1.3mg/m2, 1.5mg/m2, or 1.6 mg/m2 of bortezomib intravenously either weekly or twice weekly. The incidence of rash and relative risk (RR) were calculated using random-effects or fixed-effects model, depending on the heterogeneity of included studies. Results: A total of 2,616 patients with various hematologic and solid malignancies from 35 clinical trials were included for analysis. Among patients receiving twice weekly bortezomib, the summary incidence of all-grade and high-grade rash were 18.8 % (95% CI: 14.9% to 23.5%) and 3.6 % (95% CI: 2.3% to 5.7%), respectively. We found no significant increase in all grade rash incidence with higher doses of bortezomib: 19.3 % (95% CI: 15% to 24.5%) and 20.8% (95% CI: 11.6% to 34.4%) for doses of 1.3 mg/m2 and 1.5 mg/m2, respectively. In addition, bortezomib was associated with an increased risk in both all grade (RR: 19.70, 95% CI: 8.73 to 44.44, p<0.001) and high-grade rash (RR: 5.35, 95% CI: 2.16 to 13.29, p<0.001), compared to controls. Weekly bortezomib is associated with lower risk of rash compared to twice weekly dosing (incidence 3.9% versus 18.8%, p=0.001). Conclusions: Bortezomib is associated with a significant risk of developing rash with a higher risk among patients receiving twice weekly dosage. Management of rash to bortezomib is critical to prevent a negative effect on quality of life and dose modifications, both of which affect clinical outcome.