Physicochemical stability of bortezomib solutions for subcutaneous administration

Abstract

For the majority of cytotoxic drug preparations, such as bortezomib, the unit dose information is not available. In addition, there is a lack of information on the physicochemical stability of the pharmaceutical preparation after opening; this information is crucial for its administration to patients in successive visits, and the per‑patient cost can be affected. The purpose of our proposed physicochemical stability study is to determine the shelf life of the reconstituted liquid product under refrigeration and clinical practice conditions. This evaluation was extended to both vials and ready‑to‑use syringes prefilled with the contents of the open vial. The stability test design includes the specified storage conditions and the critical physicochemical parameters of reconstituted injectable bortezomib. Furthermore, this approach includes the determination of impurities, the monitoring of the purity of the mean peak using a photodiode array, the control of the mass balance, the monitoring of subvisible particles using a laser diffraction analyser, and the setting of stability specifications. For the chemical stability study, the amount of bortezomib and its degradation products were determined using a stability‑indicating HPLC method. The physical inspection of the samples was performed throughout the stability study, and their pH values were also monitored. Bortezomib (2.5 mg/mL) in 0.9% sodium chloride remained stable for 7 days when stored in both polypropylene syringes and vials at 5 ± 3 °C (refrigeration) and shielded from light. Additionally, it exhibits stability for 24 h under storage conditions simulating clinical use (20–30 °C and protected from light). The proposed protocol provides the stability in the vials once reconstituted and in prefilled refrigerated syringes; this protocol can be used to reduce waste and increase cost savings.