Stability of bortezomib 1-mg/mL solution in plastic syringe and glass vial.
BACKGROUND
The proteasome inhibitor bortezomib (BTZ), used in antineoplastic chemotherapy, must be diluted in NaCl 0.9% for injection and stored for no more than 3 hours in a syringe or 8 hours in a vial. Better information on its stability could improve storage.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the stability of BTZ solution (1 mg/mL) in syringes and vials.


METHODS
BTZ 1-mg/mL solutions were prepared by adding sterile NaCl 0.9% to Velcade vials containing 3.5 mg of lyophilized BTZ. Syringes were filled with 1 mL of solution and stored in the dark at 5 degrees C or 60 degrees C; others were not protected from light and stored at 22 degrees C. Velcade vials containing 1 mL of solution were stored at 5 degrees C in the dark. Samples were taken at various times over 23 days and assayed in duplicate. An HPLC method for assaying the stability of BTZ was validated. Appearance and pH were recorded.


RESULTS
There was no color change or precipitation in the samples, and the pH was stable. Oxidation, light, and storage temperature all affected the chemical stability of BTZ. The mean concentrations of BTZ in syringes stored for 2, 3, and 5 days at 60, 22, and 5 degrees C were >95% of the initial concentration. The mean concentration of BTZ in vials stored for 5 days at 5 degrees C was >95% of the initial concentration.


CONCLUSIONS
BTZ stored refrigerated in vials or syringes and protected from light is chemically stable for 5 days after reconstitution.
Department of Pharmacy and Toxicology, Jean Verdier Hospital, Bondy Cedex, France.
Pascal
P
André
Salvatore
S
Cisternino
Fouad
F
Chiadmi
Audrey
A
Toledano
Joël
J
Schlatter
Olivier
O
Fain
Jean-Eudes
JE
Fontan
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D001897:Boronic Acids / Q000737:chemistry*; D000069286:Bortezomib; D002138:Calibration; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004349:Drug Packaging; D004355:Drug Stability; D004356:Drug Storage; D005898:Glass; D019999:Pharmaceutical Solutions; D010969:Plastics; D011719:Pyrazines / Q000737:chemistry*; D012015:Reference Standards; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013594:Syringes; D013696:Temperature
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001897:Boronic Acids; D019999:Pharmaceutical Solutions; D010969:Plastics; D011719:Pyrazines; D000069286:Bortezomib