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Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy Regimen Library

GU URO Neoadjuvant/Adjuvant - cISplatin [split dose], gemcitabine and durvalumab

Treatment Overview

This regimen is intended for patients with GFR of 40 to 60 mL/minute.

For patients with GFR of 60 mL/minute or greater, consider: GU URO Neoadjuvant/adjuvant cisplatin, gemcitabine and durvalumab


This regimen consists of:

  1. Neoadjuvant cISplatin [split dose], gemcitabine and durvalumab Q3W for 4 cycles, followed by surgery, then
  2. Adjuvant durvalumab Q4W for 8 cycles.

Cycles 1 to 4 - 21 days - Neoadjuvant cISplatin [split dose], gemcitabine and durvalumab Q3W

Cycle length:
21

durvalumab: For those with body-weight of 30 kg or less weight-based dosing of 20 mg/kg is recommended until weight increases to greater than 30 kg.

Cycles 5 to 12 - 28 days - Adjuvant durvalumab Q4W

Cycle length:
28

durvalumab: For those with body-weight of 30 kg or less weight-based dosing of 20 mg/kg is recommended until weight increases to greater than 30 kg.

Cycle details

Cycles 1 to 4 - 21 days - Neoadjuvant cISplatin [split dose], gemcitabine and durvalumab Q3W

Medication Dose Route Days Max Duration
durvalumab * 1500 mg flat dosing intravenous 1 60 minutes
aprepitant 125 mg oral administration 1, 8
aprepitant 80 mg oral administration 2, 3, 9,
10
dexamethasone * 8 mg oral administration 1, 8
dexamethasone * 4 mg oral administration 2, 3, 9,
10
ondansetron 8 mg oral administration 1, 8
gemcitabine * 1000 mg/m² intravenous 1, 8 30 minutes
magnesium sulfate heptahydrate 10 mmol intravenous 1, 8 60 minutes
cISplatin * 35 mg/m² intravenous 1, 8 60 minutes
sodium chloride 0.9 % intravenous 1, 8 60 minutes
ondansetron 8 mg oral administration 1, 8
domperidone 10 mg Three times daily oral administration 1

durvalumab: For those with body-weight of 30 kg or less weight-based dosing of 20 mg/kg is recommended until weight increases to greater than 30 kg.

Cycles 5 to 12 - 28 days - Adjuvant durvalumab Q4W

Medication Dose Route Days Max Duration
durvalumab * 1500 mg flat dosing intravenous 1 60 minutes

durvalumab: For those with body-weight of 30 kg or less weight-based dosing of 20 mg/kg is recommended until weight increases to greater than 30 kg.

Full details

Cycles 1 to 4 - 21 days - Neoadjuvant cISplatin [split dose], gemcitabine and durvalumab Q3W

Day: 1

Medication Dose Route Max duration Details
durvalumab * 1500 mg flat dosing intravenous 60 minutes
Instructions:
  • Administer via a sterile, low protein binding 0.2 or 0.22 micron in-line filter.
  • For those with body-weight of 30 kg or less weight-based dosing of 20 mg/kg is recommended.
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
magnesium sulfate heptahydrate 10 mmol intravenous 60 minutes
Instructions:
In 1000 mL of sodium chloride 0.9%, prior to cISplatin infusion.
cISplatin * 35 mg/m² intravenous 60 minutes
Instructions:
  • In 500 - 1000 mL of sodium chloride 0.9%, depending on stability.
  • Ensure patient has passed urine as per institutional policy.
  • Hypersensitivity risk increases with number of cycles of cISplatin.
sodium chloride 0.9 % intravenous 60 minutes
Quantity:1000 mL
Instructions:

After cISplatin infusion.

  • If cISplatin is infused in 1000 mL, centres may choose to omit this bag of fluid.
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 * 4 mg oral administration
Instructions:

Take in the morning with food.

  • This dose may be reduced or omitted at clinician’s discretion

Day: 3

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

Take in the morning with food.

  • This dose may be reduced or omitted at clinician’s discretion

Day: 8

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
magnesium sulfate heptahydrate 10 mmol intravenous 60 minutes
Instructions:
In 1000 mL of sodium chloride 0.9%, prior to cISplatin infusion.
cISplatin * 35 mg/m² intravenous 60 minutes
Instructions:
  • In 500 - 1000 mL of sodium chloride 0.9%, depending on stability.
  • Ensure patient has passed urine as per institutional policy.
  • Hypersensitivity risk increases with number of cycles of cISplatin.
sodium chloride 0.9 % intravenous 60 minutes
Quantity:1000 mL
Instructions:

After cISplatin infusion.

  • If cISplatin is infused in 1000 mL, centres may choose to omit this bag of fluid.
ondansetron 8 mg oral administration
Instructions:
EIGHT hours after chemotherapy OR before bed.

Day: 9

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

Take in the morning with food.

  • This dose may be reduced or omitted at clinician’s discretion

Day: 10

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

Take in the morning with food.

  • This dose may be reduced or omitted at clinician’s discretion

Cycles 5 to 12 - 28 days - Adjuvant durvalumab Q4W

Day: 1

Medication Dose Route Max duration Details
durvalumab * 1500 mg flat dosing intravenous 60 minutes
Instructions:
  • Administer via a sterile, low protein binding 0.2 or 0.22 micron in-line filter.
  • For those with body-weight of 30 kg or less weight-based dosing of 20 mg/kg is recommended. 

Supportive Care Factors

Factor Value
Emetogenicity: Variable
Hydration: Variable
Hypersensitivity / Infusion related reaction risk: Low - routine premedication not recommended

Emetogenicity:

  • Cycles 1 to 4: HIGH (cISplatin <40 mg/m2);
  • durvalumab alone: MINIMAL.

Hydration: Routine hydration recommended with cISplatin (cycles 1 to 4). 


References

Powles T, Catto JWF, Galsky MD, et al; NIAGARA Investigators. Perioperative Durvalumab with Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Operable Bladder Cancer. N Engl J Med. 2024 Sep 15., PMID: 39282910

AstraZenica Limited. Imfinzi (durvalumab) New Zealand Data Sheet. 20 November 2023. https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/datasheet/i/imfinziinf.pdf (Accessed 12 November 2024).

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://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.