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Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy Regimen Library

LUNG MESO Metastatic - cARBOplatin and pemetrexed

Treatment Overview

Usual maximum of 4 to 6 cycles.

Cycles 1 to 6 - 21 days

Cycle length:
21

Cycle details

Cycles 1 to 6 - 21 days

Medication Dose Route Days Max Duration
folic acid * 800 microgram Once daily oral administration -7
hydroxocobalamin 1 mg intramuscular injection -7
dexamethasone * 4 mg Twice daily oral administration 0 to 3
aprepitant 125 mg oral administration 1
aprepitant 80 mg oral administration 2, 3
ondansetron 8 mg oral administration 1
pemetrexed * 500 mg/m² intravenous 1 10 minutes
cARBOplatin * 5 AUC (area under the curve) intravenous 1 60 minutes
ondansetron 8 mg oral administration 1
domperidone 10 mg Three times daily oral administration 1

Full details

Cycles 1 to 6 - 21 days

Day: -7

Medication Dose Route Max duration Details
folic acid * 800 microgram Once daily oral administration
Instructions:
800 microgram = 0.8 mg. Start 7 days before the first cycle, continue until 21 days after the last dose of pemetrexed.
hydroxocobalamin 1 mg intramuscular injection
Instructions:
1 mg = 1000 microgram. Start 7 days before the first cycle and then repeat ONCE every 9 weeks until 21 days after the last dose of pemetrexed.

Day: 0

Medication Dose Route Max duration Details
dexamethasone * 4 mg Twice daily oral administration
Instructions:
Take with food.

Day: 1

Medication Dose Route Max duration Details
dexamethasone * 4 mg Twice daily oral administration
Instructions:
Take with food.
aprepitant 125 mg oral administration
Instructions:
ONE hour prior to chemotherapy.
ondansetron 8 mg oral administration
Instructions:
ONE hour prior to chemotherapy.
pemetrexed * 500 mg/m² intravenous 10 minutes
cARBOplatin * 5 AUC (area under the curve) intravenous 60 minutes
Instructions:
To be infused approximately 30 minutes after completion of pemetrexed infusion. Hypersensitivity risk increases with number of cycles of cARBOplatin.
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.

Day: 2

Medication Dose Route Max duration Details
dexamethasone * 4 mg Twice daily oral administration
Instructions:
Take with food.
aprepitant 80 mg oral administration
Instructions:
ONCE daily in the morning.

Day: 3

Medication Dose Route Max duration Details
dexamethasone * 4 mg Twice daily oral administration
Instructions:
Take with food.
aprepitant 80 mg oral administration
Instructions:
ONCE daily in the morning.

Supportive Care Factors

Factor Value
Emetogenicity: High

References

1. Ceresoli, G. L., P. A. Zucali, A. G. Favaretto, et al. 2006. "Phase II study of pemetrexed plus carboplatin in malignant pleural mesothelioma." J Clin Oncol 24(9):1443-1448., PMID: 16549838

2. Katirtzoglou, N., I. Gkiozos, N. Makrilia, et al. 2010. "Carboplatin plus pemetrexed as first-line treatment of patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma: a phase II study." Clin Lung Cancer 11(1):30-35., PMID: 20085865

3. Castagneto, B., M. Botta, E. Aitini, et al. 2008. "Phase II study of pemetrexed in combination with carboplatin in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM)." Ann Oncol 19(2):370-373., PMID: 18156144

4. Santoro, A., O'Brien, M.E. & Stahel, R. A et al. 2008. "Pemetrexed plus cisplatin or pemetrexed plus carboplatin for chemonaive patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma: results of the International Expanded Access Program." J Thorac Oncol. 3(7):756-63., PMID: 18594322

5. Juno Pharmaceuticals NZ Ltd. (2021, May 18). Pemetrexed Juno Medsafe Datasheet 17 August 2017. Retrieved from Medsafe: https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/Datasheet/p/PemetrexedJunoinf.pdf

6. Boulanger J, Boursiquot JN, Cournoyer G, et al. Management of hypersensitivity to platinum- and taxane-based chemotherapy: cepo review and clinical recommendations. Curr Oncol. 2014;21(4):e630-e641. , PMID: 25089112

7. 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.