Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy Regimen Library
SKIN MCC Metastatic - cARBOplatin and etoposide
Treatment Overview
Cycles 1 to 4 - 21 days
Cycle details
Cycles 1 to 4 - 21 days
| 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 | |
| cARBOplatin * | 5 AUC (area under the curve) | intravenous | 1 | 60 minutes |
| etoposide (as phosphate) * | 100 mg/m² Once daily | intravenous | 1, 2, 3 | 60 minutes |
| ondansetron | 8 mg | oral administration | 1 | |
| domperidone | 10 mg Three times daily | oral administration | 1 |
Full details
Cycles 1 to 4 - 21 days
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. |
|
| cARBOplatin * | 5 AUC (area under the curve) | intravenous | 60 minutes |
Instructions:
Hypersensitivity risk increases with number of cycles of cARBOplatin. |
| etoposide (as phosphate) * | 100 mg/m² Once daily | intravenous | 60 minutes | |
| 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.
|
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. Dose and duration may be individualised at clinician’s discretion. |
|
| etoposide (as phosphate) * | 100 mg/m² Once daily | intravenous | 60 minutes |
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. Dose and duration may be individualised at clinician’s discretion. |
|
| etoposide (as phosphate) * | 100 mg/m² Once daily | intravenous | 60 minutes |
Supportive Care Factors
| Factor | Value |
|---|---|
| Emetogenicity: | High |
References
Satpute S R, Ammakkanavar NR, Einhorn LH et al. Role of platinum-based chemotherapy for Merkel cell tumor in adjuvant and metastatic settings. JCO. 2014 May 20; 32:9049-9049. DOI:10.1200/jco.2014.32.15_suppl.9049
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 (Accessed 26 March 2021).
Regimen details sometimes vary slightly from the published literature after recommendation by expert committee consensus.
* 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.