Is Bortezomib a targeted drug or a chemotherapy drug?

Bortezomib (Bortezomib) is a targeted therapy drug, not a traditional chemotherapy drug. Its unique mechanism and mode of action make it a major breakthrough in cancer treatment.

Chemotherapy drugs typically inhibit cancer growth by killing rapidly dividing cells, but these drugs not only attack cancer cells but also damage healthy cells, leading to a range of side effects such as nausea, vomiting, hair loss and a compromised immune system. In contrast, bortezomib interferes with the survival and proliferation of cancer cells in a more precise way.

Bortezomib belongs to a class of drugs called proteasome inhibitors. Its mechanism of action involves inhibiting the intracellular proteasome, a specialized structure within the cell that is responsible for breaking down proteins. This process is crucial for the survival of cancer cells, as they require large amounts of protein to support rapid proliferation and growth.

By interfering with the function of the proteasome, bortezomib blocks protein degradation and waste disposal within cancer cells, leading to their accumulation and eventual death. The drug selectively targets cancer cells and barely affects healthy cells, so it has relatively few side effects.

Bortezomib is mainly used to treat hematological malignancies such as multiple myeloma (Multiple Myeloma) and certain non-Hodgkin lymphomas (Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma), making it a leader in targeted therapy. The development of this drug represents a paradigm shift in modern oncology treatments toward more precision, effectiveness and fewer side effects.

Bortezomib is already on the market in China and has been included in medical insurance. Patients can purchase it domestically at a price of around 3,000 to 4,000 yuan. Please consult the local hospital pharmacy for specific prices and reimbursement policies. The cheaper ones abroad are mainly Indian generic drugs, which cost around 1,000 yuan and have basically the same ingredients as the domestic bortezomib drug.