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Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy Regimen Library

HyperCVAD with pegaspargase [under 40 years] - Part A with CNS prophylaxis for High Risk (LEU ALL - HyperCVAD with pegaspargase Part A and B followed by POMP Maintenance [under 40 years])

Treatment Overview

Alternates with a cycle of Part B every 21 days, or sooner if counts have recovered.

Intrathecal therapy included in this regimen is for CNS prophylaxis for patients with High Risk.


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.

Cycles 1 to 4 - 21 days

Cycle length:
21

Intrathecal metHOTREXATe: For Ommaya reservoir reduce dose to 6 mg intraventricularly.


DOXOrubicin: Some centres may choose to administer DOXOrubicin over 15 minutes.


filgrastim: Give filgrastim 5 micrograms/kg subcutaneously ONCE daily from Day 5 until neutrophil recovery past the nadir.

Cycle details

Cycles 1 to 4 - 21 days

Medication Dose Route Days Max Duration
dexamethasone 40 mg flat dosing Once daily oral administration 1 to 4,
11 to 14
mesna * 600 mg/m² Once daily intravenous 1, 2, 3 24 hours
CYCLOPHOSPHamide 300 mg/m² Twice daily intravenous 1, 2, 3 3 hours
metHOTREXATe 12 mg flat dosing intrathecal injection 2
DOXOrubicin * 50 mg/m² intravenous 4 24 hours Min: 24 hours
vinCRISTine 2 mg flat dosing intravenous 4, 11 10 minutes
filgrastim 5 microgram/kg Once daily subcutaneous injection 5
cytarabine 100 mg flat dosing intrathecal injection 8

Intrathecal metHOTREXATe: For Ommaya reservoir reduce dose to 6 mg intraventricularly.


DOXOrubicin: Some centres may choose to administer DOXOrubicin over 15 minutes.


filgrastim: Give filgrastim 5 micrograms/kg subcutaneously ONCE daily from Day 5 until neutrophil recovery past the nadir.

Full details

Cycles 1 to 4 - 21 days

Day: 1

Medication Dose Route Max duration Details
dexamethasone 40 mg flat dosing Once daily oral administration
Instructions:

Take in the morning with food.

mesna * 600 mg/m² Once daily intravenous 24 hours
Instructions:

Continuous infusion over 24 hours.

  • Commence ONE hour before the first dose of CYCLOPHOSPHamide and stop 12 hours after completion of the last dose of CYCLOPHOSPHamide.
CYCLOPHOSPHamide 300 mg/m² Twice daily intravenous 3 hours
Instructions:

Every 12 hours.

  • Consider hydration with at least 2000 ml over 24 hours as oral or IV fluid on day(s) of CYCLOPHOSPHamide and for 24 hours after or as per institutional practice.

Day: 2

Medication Dose Route Max duration Details
dexamethasone 40 mg flat dosing Once daily oral administration
Instructions:

Take in the morning with food.

mesna * 600 mg/m² Once daily intravenous 24 hours
Instructions:

Continuous infusion over 24 hours.

  • Commence ONE hour before the first dose of CYCLOPHOSPHamide and stop 12 hours after completion of the last dose of CYCLOPHOSPHamide.
CYCLOPHOSPHamide 300 mg/m² Twice daily intravenous 3 hours
Instructions:

Every 12 hours.

  • Consider hydration with at least 2000 ml over 24 hours as oral or IV fluid on day(s) of CYCLOPHOSPHamide and for 24 hours after or as per institutional practice.
metHOTREXATe 12 mg flat dosing intrathecal injection
Instructions:
  • Adhere to local institution policy for intrathecal administration.
  • For Ommaya reservoir reduce dose to 6 mg intraventricularly.

Day: 3

Medication Dose Route Max duration Details
dexamethasone 40 mg flat dosing Once daily oral administration
Instructions:

Take in the morning with food.

mesna * 600 mg/m² Once daily intravenous 24 hours
Instructions:

Continuous infusion over 24 hours.

  • Commence ONE hour before the first dose of CYCLOPHOSPHamide and stop 12 hours after completion of the last dose of CYCLOPHOSPHamide.
CYCLOPHOSPHamide 300 mg/m² Twice daily intravenous 3 hours
Instructions:

Every 12 hours.

  • Consider hydration with at least 2000 ml over 24 hours as oral or IV fluid on day(s) of CYCLOPHOSPHamide and for 24 hours after or as per institutional practice.

Day: 4

Medication Dose Route Max duration Details
dexamethasone 40 mg flat dosing Once daily oral administration
Instructions:

Take in the morning with food.

DOXOrubicin * 50 mg/m² intravenous 24 hours Min: 24 hours
Instructions:

Continuous infusion over 24 hours.

  • Some centres may choose to administer over 15 minutes.
  • Warning vesicant—ensure vein is patent prior to administration, administer vesicant as per institutional policy and monitor for signs of extravasation throughout administration.
vinCRISTine 2 mg flat dosing intravenous 10 minutes
Instructions:
  • Diluted in a minibag.
  • FOR INTRAVENOUS USE ONLY – fatal if given by any other routes.
  • Warning vesicant—ensure vein is patent prior to administration, administer vesicant as per institutional policy and monitor for signs of extravasation throughout administration.

Day: 5

Medication Dose Route Max duration Details
filgrastim 5 microgram/kg Once daily subcutaneous injection
Instructions:

Give ONCE daily from Day 5 until neutrophil recovery past the nadir.

  • Round dose to nearest prefilled syringe dose of 300 micrograms or 480 micrograms.

Day: 8

Medication Dose Route Max duration Details
cytarabine 100 mg flat dosing intrathecal injection
Instructions:

Adhere to local institution policy for intrathecal administration.

Day: 11

Medication Dose Route Max duration Details
dexamethasone 40 mg flat dosing Once daily oral administration
Instructions:

Take in the morning with food.

vinCRISTine 2 mg flat dosing intravenous 10 minutes
Instructions:
  • Diluted in a minibag.
  • FOR INTRAVENOUS USE ONLY – fatal if given by any other routes.
  • Warning vesicant—ensure vein is patent prior to administration, administer vesicant as per institutional policy and monitor for signs of extravasation throughout administration.

Day: 12

Medication Dose Route Max duration Details
dexamethasone 40 mg flat dosing Once daily oral administration
Instructions:

Take in the morning with food.

Day: 13

Medication Dose Route Max duration Details
dexamethasone 40 mg flat dosing Once daily oral administration
Instructions:

Take in the morning with food.

Day: 14

Medication Dose Route Max duration Details
dexamethasone 40 mg flat dosing Once daily oral administration
Instructions:

Take in the morning with food.

Supportive Care Factors

Factor Value
Antifungal prophylaxis: Routine antifungal prophylaxis recommended
Antiviral prophylaxis for herpes virus: Routine antiviral prophylaxis recommended
Constipation risk: Consider prescribing laxatives with this treatment
Emetogenicity: Variable
Gastroprotection: Gastroprotection is recommended
Growth factor support: Recommended for primary prophylaxis
Mesna uroprotection: Routine mesna uroprotection recommended
Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) prophylaxis: Routine antibiotic prophylaxis recommended
Tumour lysis syndrome prophylaxis: Variable

Antifungal prophylaxis: Inhibition of CYP3A4 by azole antifungals may lead to reduced vinCRISTine clearance and increased toxicities. Strategies to avoid this interaction may include a washout period after azole administration or using a non-azole antifungal for prophylaxis.


Antiviral prophylaxis for hepatitis B virus: Guidance is limited to high-risk anti-cancer medicines. Clinicians will need to assess individual patient risk for other anti-cancer medicines.


Emetogenicity: MEDIUM days 1 to 4; MINIMAL day 11.


Gastroprotection: Gastroprotection agents are only intended for short term use while patient is receiving corticosteroid treatment doses.


Tumour lysis syndrome prophylaxis: Recommended for first cycle (1A) and only for further cycles if not in complete remission.

* 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.