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Review
. 2016 May;5(1):5-10.
doi: 10.2217/ijh-2015-0006. Epub 2016 May 31.

Propylene glycol-free melphalan as conditioning regimen for autologous transplantation in myeloma

Omar S Aljitawi  1   1 , Parameswaran Hari  2   2
Affiliations
Review

Propylene glycol-free melphalan as conditioning regimen for autologous transplantation in myeloma

Omar S Aljitawi et al. Int J Hematol Oncol. 2016 May.

Abstract

High-dose melphalan has been the drug of choice for preparative regimens for autologous stem cell transplantation in multiple myeloma. Propylene-free melphalan (Evomela™) is a newer formulation of melphalan, which incorporates Captisol® to produce a stable product upon reconstitution. In addition to avoiding propylene glycol with its' potential side effects, this approach improves the overall stability of reconstituted melphalan and can ensure intended dose delivery. In this paper, we review the published literature regarding this formulation. We focus on its' chemistry, pharmacokinetics and clinically available data for its use in myeloma autologous stem cell transplantation setting.

Keywords: high-dose chemotherapy; melphalan; multiple myeloma; propylene glycol-free melphalan.

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Conflict of interest statement

Financial & competing interests disclosure P Hari reports receiving research support and honoraria for consultancy from Spectrum Pharmaceuticals the manufacturer of Evomela. OS Aljitawi reports receiving research support and honoraria for advisory board meeting from Spectrum Pharmaceuticals the manufacturer of Evomela. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed. No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Figures

<b>Figure 1.</b>
Figure 1.. Propylene glycol-free melphalan.
Propylene glycol-free melphalan incorporates captisol into melphalan. Captisol has a hydrophobic interior, once it associates with melphalan, the complex has a hydrophilic exterior. Modified with permission from material provided by JD Pipkin from Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated.
<b>Figure 2.</b>
Figure 2.. Propylene glycol melphalan after injection into blood.
Propylene glycol melphalan dissociates into melphalan and captisol following injection into blood. Modified with permission from material provided by JD Pipkin from Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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