Can Pomalidomide and Ixazomib be used together?

The immunomodulatory drug pomalidomide is an attractive alternative to lenalidomide because of its tumoricidal and immunostimulatory effects in the setting of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (MM), including in patients refractory to lenalidomide, and because of its combination with dexamethasone. Because ixazomib can be safely used in combination with immunomodulatory drugs, it would be beneficial to exploit the efficacy and tolerability of an all-oral triple regimen in a combination suitable for lenalidomide-refractory patients.

Ixazomib is an orally administered boronic acid peptide that preferentially binds to the β5 subunit as well as the β1 and β2 subunits of the 20S proteasome at high concentrations. Ixazomib has demonstrated antitumor activity and a tolerable safety profile as a single agent or in combination with other agents. In a phase III trial, a completely oral triple regimen containing ixazomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone was associated with significantly longer progression-free survival compared with placebo plus lenalidomide-dexamethasone. Therefore, pomalidomide, ixazomib, and dexamethasone are a well-tolerated and effective oral combination therapy for patients with relapsed/refractory MM.

Pomalidomide, independently developed in China, has been launched domestically and has now entered the scope of medical insurance. The price of domestically produced Pomalidomide may be around RMB 4,000 per box, while the Turkish version sold overseas may be priced around RMB 15,000 per box (the price may fluctuate due to exchange rates), which is relatively expensive. There are also cheaper generic drugs produced in other countries overseas. The price of each box produced by a Lao pharmaceutical factory may be around a few hundred yuan (the price may fluctuate due to the exchange rate). The ingredients of foreign generic drugs, domestically produced drugs and foreign original drugs are basically the same. For more drug information and specific prices, please consult Yaode Medical Consultant.