On 18 December 2014, the European Medicines Agency Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) adopted a positive opinion recommending a variation to the terms of the marketing authorisation for the medicinal product bortezomib (Velcade). The marketing authorisation holder for this medicinal product is Janssen-Cilag International N.V. They may request a re-examination of the CHMP opinion, provided that they notify the European Medicines Agency in writing of their intention within 15 days of receipt of the opinion.
The CHMP adopted a new indication as follows: "Velcade in combination with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and prednisone is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with previously untreated mantle cell lymphoma who are unsuitable for haematopoietic stem cell transplantation".
Detailed conditions for the use of this product will be described in the updated summary of product characteristics, which will be published in the revised European public assessment report, and will be available in all official European Union languages after the variation to the marketing authorisation has been granted by the European Commission.
For information, the full indication(s) for bortezomib will be as follows:
- Bortezomib as monotherapy or in combination with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin or dexamethasone is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with progressive multiple myeloma who have received at least 1 prior therapy and who have already undergone or are unsuitable for haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
- Bortezomib in combination with melphalan and prednisone is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with previously untreated multiple myeloma who are not eligible for high dose chemotherapy with haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
- Bortezomib in combination with dexamethasone, or with dexamethasone and thalidomide, is indicated for the induction treatment of adult patients with previously untreated multiple myeloma who are eligible for high dose chemotherapy with haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
- Bortezomib in combination with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and prednisone is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with previously untreated mantle cell lymphoma who are unsuitable for haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.