RESUMEN
This article reviews the proteasomes inhibition is a novel approach to cancer therapy. Bortezomib (velcade) is the first proteasomes inhibitor, it was effective in this class to be approved for clinical use. Phase I clinical trials established an optimal dosing strategy and demonstrated a manageable toxicity profile. Two phase II trial, SUMMIT and CREST demonstrated the safety and efficacy of bortezomib for patients with relapsed and/or refractory myeloma. The phase III APEX trial comparing bortezomib with high-dose dexamethasone demonstrated that bortezomib had an improved response rate, duration of remission and overall survival advantage in the setting of relapsed disease. These findings have led investigators to study bortezomib combination with conventional chemotherapy and other novel agents. Results of ongoing trial with bortezomib in the first-line treatment of myeloma have been extremely encouraging. Further studies with bortezomib as monotherapy and combination regimens in the treatment of hematologic and solid malignancies are warranted.