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Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy Regimen Library

GU URO Advanced - cARBOplatin and gemcitabine

Treatment Overview

Consider using this regimen when cISplatin is contraindicated.

Cycles 1 to 6 - 21 days

Cycle length:
21

Cycle details

Cycles 1 to 6 - 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, 8
gemcitabine * 1000 mg/m² intravenous 1, 8 30 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: 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.

gemcitabine * 1000 mg/m² intravenous 30 minutes
cARBOplatin * 5 AUC (area under the curve) intravenous 60 minutes
Instructions:
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
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.

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.

Day: 8

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

ONE hour prior to chemotherapy.

Alternate is dexamethasone 4 mg.

gemcitabine * 1000 mg/m² intravenous 30 minutes

Supportive Care Factors

Factor Value
Emetogenicity: Variable

Emetogenicity: HIGH - cARBOplatin day 1; LOW day 8.

References

Shannon, C., C. Crombie, A. Brooks, et al. 2001. "Carboplatin and gemcitabine in metastatic transitional cell carcinoma of the urothelium: effective treatment of patients with poor prognostic features." Ann.Oncol. 12(7):947-952., PMID: 11521800

Nogue-Aliguer, M., J. Carles, A. Arrivi, et al. 2003. "Gemcitabine and carboplatin in advanced transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary tract: an alternative therapy." Cancer 97(9):2180-2186., PMID: 12712469

Linardou, H., G. Aravantinos, E. Efstathiou, et al. 2004. "Gemcitabine and carboplatin combination as first-line treatment in elderly patients and those unfit for cisplatin-based chemotherapy with advanced bladder carcinoma: Phase II study of the Hellenic Co-operative Oncology Group." Urology 64(3):479-484., PMID: 15351574

Bellmunt, J., A. Ribas, N. Eres, et al. 1997. "Carboplatin-based versus cisplatin-based chemotherapy in the treatment of surgically incurable advanced bladder carcinoma." Cancer 80(10):1966-1972., PMID: 9366300

Bamias, A., E. Efstathiou, L. A. Moulopoulos, et al. 2005. "The outcome of elderly patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma after platinum-based combination chemotherapy." Ann.Oncol 16(2):307-313., PMID: 15668289

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

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://wwwuptodate.com (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.