Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy Regimen Library
HN SQCC Metastatic - cARBOplatin, fluorouracil and pembrolizumab
Treatment Overview
Pembrolizumab may continue until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity up to a maximum total of 35 cycles.
Cycles 1 to 6 - 21 days - cARBOplatin, fluorouracil and pembrolizumab
Patients should report any episodes of diarrhoea to doctor.
Cycle specific Supportive Care Factors:
Diarrhoea risk: Anti-diarrhoeals are usually prescribed with this treatment.
Emetogenicity: HIGH - cARBOplatin.
Cycles 7 to 35 - 21 days - pembrolizumab Q3W [flat dosing]
Cycle specific Supportive Care Factors:
Emetogenicity: MINIMAL.
Cycle details
Cycles 1 to 6 - 21 days - cARBOplatin, fluorouracil and pembrolizumab
| Medication | Dose | Route | Days | Max Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| aprepitant | 125 mg | oral administration | 1 | |
| aprepitant | 80 mg | oral administration | 2, 3 | |
| dexamethasone * | 8 mg | oral administration | 1, 2, 3 | |
| ondansetron | 8 mg | oral administration | 1 | |
| pembrolizumab | 200 mg flat dosing | intravenous | 1 | 30 minutes |
| cARBOplatin * | 5 AUC (area under the curve) | intravenous | 1 | 60 minutes |
| fluorouracil * | 4000 mg/m² | intravenous | 1 | 96 hours Min: 96 hours |
| ondansetron | 8 mg | oral administration | 1 | |
| domperidone | 10 mg Three times daily | oral administration | 1 | |
| loperamide | 2 mg | oral administration | 1 |
Patients should report any episodes of diarrhoea to doctor.
Cycle specific Supportive Care Factors:
Diarrhoea risk: Anti-diarrhoeals are usually prescribed with this treatment.
Emetogenicity: HIGH - cARBOplatin.
Cycles 7 to 35 - 21 days - pembrolizumab Q3W [flat dosing]
| Medication | Dose | Route | Days | Max Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| pembrolizumab | 200 mg flat dosing | intravenous | 1 | 30 minutes |
Cycle specific Supportive Care Factors:
Emetogenicity: MINIMAL.
Full details
Cycles 1 to 6 - 21 days - cARBOplatin, fluorouracil and pembrolizumab
Day: 1
| Medication | Dose | Route | Max duration | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| aprepitant | 125 mg | oral administration |
Instructions:
ONE hour prior to chemotherapy. |
|
| dexamethasone * | 8 mg | oral administration |
Instructions:
ONE hour prior to chemotherapy with food. |
|
| ondansetron | 8 mg | oral administration |
Instructions:
ONE hour prior to chemotherapy. |
|
| pembrolizumab | 200 mg flat dosing | intravenous | 30 minutes |
Instructions:
Administer via a sterile, non-pyrogenic, low protein binding 0.2 to 5 micron in-line or add-on filter. |
| cARBOplatin * | 5 AUC (area under the curve) | intravenous | 60 minutes |
Instructions:
Hypersensitivity risk increases with number of cycles of cARBOplatin. |
| fluorouracil * | 4000 mg/m² | intravenous | 96 hours Min: 96 hours |
Instructions:
Continuous infusion via pump over 96 hours (equivalent to 1000mg/m²/day). |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| aprepitant | 80 mg | oral administration |
Instructions:
ONCE daily in the morning. |
|
| dexamethasone * | 8 mg | oral administration |
Instructions:
ONCE daily in the morning with food. |
Day: 3
| Medication | Dose | Route | Max duration | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| aprepitant | 80 mg | oral administration |
Instructions:
ONCE daily in the morning. |
|
| dexamethasone * | 8 mg | oral administration |
Instructions:
ONCE daily in the morning with food. |
Cycles 7 to 35 - 21 days - pembrolizumab Q3W [flat dosing]
Day: 1
| Medication | Dose | Route | Max duration | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| pembrolizumab | 200 mg flat dosing | intravenous | 30 minutes |
Instructions:
Administer via a sterile, non-pyrogenic, low protein binding 0.2 to 5 micron in-line or add-on filter. |
Supportive Care Factors
| Factor | Value |
|---|---|
| Diarrhoea risk: | Variable |
| Emetogenicity: | Variable |
References
Castells, M.C., Matulonis, U.A., and Horton, TM. Infusion reactions to systemic chemotherapy. Savarese DMF and Feldweg AM, ed. UpToDate. Waltham, MA: UpToDate Inc. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/infusion-reactions-to-systemic-chemotherapy (Accessed 26 March 2021).
* 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.