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Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy Regimen Library

CNS GBM Recurrent - beVACizumab and irinotecan 125 mg/m2

Treatment Overview

This regimen is intended for patients who are NOT taking enzyme inducing anti-epileptic medicines.

For patients who are taking enzyme inducing anti-epileptic medicines use the regimen: CNS GBM Recurrent – beVACizumab and irinotecan 340 mg/m2.


This regimen contains a medicine where one or more biosimilars may exist. Any biosimilars used have been reviewed by the regulator (Medsafe) and relevant specialists were consulted nationally. Where regulators, in consultation with relevant specialists, have agreed that there are no clinically significant differences in either safety or effectiveness between a biosimilar and originator product, these drugs may be used interchangeably.

Cycle 1 (and all further cycles) - 14 days

Cycle length:
14

Cycle details

Cycle 1 (and all further cycles) - 14 days

Medication Dose Route Days Max Duration
beVACizumab * 10 mg/kg intravenous 1 90 minutes
dexamethasone * 8 mg oral administration 1, 2, 3
ondansetron 8 mg oral administration 1
irinotecan * 125 mg/m² intravenous 1 90 minutes
atropine sulfate * 600 microgram intravenous 1 2 minutes
ondansetron 8 mg oral administration 1
domperidone 10 mg Three times daily oral administration 1
loperamide 2 mg oral administration 1

Full details

Cycle 1 (and all further cycles) - 14 days

Day: 1

Medication Dose Route Max duration Details
beVACizumab * 10 mg/kg intravenous 90 minutes
Instructions:

Blood pressure and urinalysis should be checked before each administration. If urine dipstick protein is less than or equal to 3+, proceed with infusion.

If the initial dose of beVACizumab is well tolerated, the second dose may be administered over 60 minutes, and the third and subsequent doses may be administered over 30 minutes.

dexamethasone * 8 mg oral administration
Instructions:

ONE hour prior to chemotherapy with food.

ondansetron 8 mg oral administration
Instructions:

ONE hour prior to chemotherapy.

irinotecan * 125 mg/m² intravenous 90 minutes
Instructions:

This dose is only to be used for patients who are NOT taking enzyme inducing anti-epileptic medicines.

atropine sulfate * 600 microgram intravenous 2 minutes
Instructions:
  • Alternatively, dose may be administered subcutaneously.
  • Only if required for acute diarrhoea or cholinergic symptoms.
  • 600 microgram = 0.6 mg.
  • Some centres may wish to give a reduced dose of 300 microgram (= 0.3 mg) in line with institutional policy.
  • Dose may be repeated up to a maximum dose of 1200 microgram (= 1.2 mg).
ondansetron 8 mg oral administration
Instructions:

EIGHT hours after chemotherapy OR before bed.

domperidone 10 mg Three times daily oral administration
Instructions:

When required for nausea and/or vomiting.

The choice of rescue antiemetic may be substituted to reflect institutional policy or individual patient characteristics.

loperamide 2 mg oral administration
Instructions:
Take TWO capsules (=4 mg) at onset of loose bowel motions and a further ONE capsule (=2 mg) for every loose bowel motion (maximum of EIGHT capsules in 24 hours), or use as directed by oncologist or haematologist.

Day: 2

Medication Dose Route Max duration Details
dexamethasone * 8 mg oral administration
Instructions:

ONCE daily in the morning with food.

Dose and duration may be individualised at clinician’s discretion.

Day: 3

Medication Dose Route Max duration Details
dexamethasone * 8 mg oral administration
Instructions:

ONCE daily in the morning with food.

Dose and duration may be individualised at clinician’s discretion.

Supportive Care Factors

Factor Value
Diarrhoea risk: Anti-diarrhoeals are usually prescribed with this treatment
Emetogenicity: Medium
Hypersensitivity / Infusion related reaction risk: Low - routine premedication not recommended

References

Cloughesy T, Prados MD, Mikkelsen T. A phase 2 randomized non-comparative clinical trial of the effect of bevacizumab alone or in combination with irinotecan on 6-month progression free survival in recurrent refractory glioblastoma [abstract]. J Clin Oncol 2008;26(Suppl 15):2010b.

Friedman HS, Prados MD, Wen PY, Mikkelsen T, Schiff D, Abrey LE, Yung WK, Paleologos N, Nicholas MK, Jensen R, Vredenburgh J, Huang J, Zheng M, Cloughesy T. Bevacizumab alone and in combination with irinotecan in recurrent glioblastoma. J Clin Oncol. 2009 Oct 1;27(28):4733-40. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2008.19.8721. Epub 2009 Aug 31., PMID: 19720927

Kreisl TN, Kim L, Moore K, Duic P, Royce C, Stroud I, Garren N, Mackey M, Butman JA, Camphausen K, Park J, Albert PS, Fine HA. Phase II trial of single-agent bevacizumab followed by bevacizumab plus irinotecan at tumor progression in recurrent glioblastoma. J Clin Oncol. 2009 Feb 10;27(5):740-5. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2008.16.3055. Epub 2008 Dec 29., PMID: 19114704

Vredenburgh JJ, Desjardins A, Herndon JE 2nd, Dowell JM, Reardon DA, Quinn JA, Rich JN, Sathornsumetee S, Gururangan S, Wagner M, Bigner DD, Friedman AH, Friedman HS. Phase II trial of bevacizumab and irinotecan in recurrent malignant glioma. Clin Cancer Res. 2007 Feb 15;13(4):1253-9. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-06-2309., PMID: 17317837

Tabernero J, Vyas M, Giuliani R, Arnold D, Cardoso F, Casali PG, Cervantes A, Eggermont AMM, Eniu A, Jassem J, Pentheroudakis G, Peters S, Rauh S, Zielinski CC, Stahel RA, Voest E, Douillard JY, McGregor K, Ciardiello F. Biosimilars: a position paper of the European Society for Medical Oncology, with particular reference to oncology prescribers. ESMO Open. 2017 Jan 16;1(6):e000142. doi: 10.1136/esmoopen-2016-000142., PMID: 28848668

Lyman GH, Balaban E, Diaz M, Ferris A, Tsao A, Voest E, Zon R, Francisco M, Green S, Sherwood S, Harvey RD, Schilsky RL. American Society of Clinical Oncology Statement: Biosimilars in Oncology. J Clin Oncol. 2018 Apr 20;36(12):1260-1265. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2017.77.4893. Epub 2018 Feb 14., PMID: 29443651

* The medicines, doses, combinations, and schedule in this treatment regimen have been carefully reviewed against international best practice guidelines by specialists in medical oncology around New Zealand and this advice has been accepted for publication by Te Aho o Te Kahu (the Cancer Control Agency). Sometimes medicines that are used in routine clinical practice have not been through a formal review process by the NZ Medicines Regulator Medsafe and are therefore considered unapproved or off-label. These medicines are legally able to be prescribed through sections 25 and 29 of the Medicines Act and by obtaining informed consent from patients. All treatment regimens listed on this website have been through robust peer review and are considered an accepted standard of care, whether prescribed through sections 25 or 29 or carrying formal Medsafe Approval.

s29: This symbol indicates that some formulations of the associated medicine are legally only able to be prescribed under section 29 of the Medicines Act. You can see which formulations are section 29 by hovering over the s29 symbol. You can access full medication details from the New Zealand Formulary by clicking on the medication name. Each clinician retains full responsibility for ensuring they have complied with all relevant obligations and requirements of section 29 including obtaining informed patient consent prior to prescribing the applicable medicine.