Drug Formulary information is intended for use by healthcare professionals. It is not intended to be medical advice. Some of the information, including information about funding for cancer drugs, does not apply to all patients. Cancer treatment plans are unique to each patient. If you are a patient, please speak with your healthcare team to understand how this information applies to you.
CRBPPEME
Regimen is considered appropriate as part of the standard care of patients; meaningfully improves outcomes (survival, quality of life), tolerability or costs compared to alternatives (recommended by the Disease Site Team and national consensus body e.g. pan-Canadian Oncology Drug Review, pCODR). Recommendation is based on an appropriately conducted phase III clinical trial relevant to the Canadian context OR (where phase III trials are not feasible) an appropriately sized phase II trial. Regimens where one or more drugs are not approved by Health Canada for any indication will be identified under Rationale and Use.
For treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
| pemetrexed | 500 mg /m² | IV | Day 1 |
| CARBOplatin | AUC 5* | IV | Day 1 |
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* Adjust Carboplatin dose to AUC target (using Calvert formula) as outlined in "Other Notes" section. |
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REPEAT EVERY 21 DAYS
For a usual total of 4 to 6 cycles, unless disease progression or unacceptable toxicity occurs
Moderate + NK1 antagonist (Carboplatin AUC ≥ 5)
Low
Other Supportive Care:
Also refer to CCO Antiemetic Recommendations.
- Vitamin B12 1000mcg IM every 9 weeks, Folic acid 0.4 - 1 mg PO daily (both starting ≥ 1 week prior to pemetrexed administration continue throughout and 3 weeks after last dose of Pemetrexed).
- Dexamethasone 4mg PO BID for 3 days starting day before chemotherapy suggested for rash prophylaxis.
- Note: NSAIDs should be held for 2-5 days prior and 2 days after pemetrexed (refer to pemetrexed monograph)
Doses should be modified according to the protocol by which the patient is being treated. The following recommendations have been adapted from clinical trials or product monographs and may be considered.
Dosage with toxicity
Do not start a new cycle until ANC ≥ 1.5 x 109/L and platelets ≥ 100 x 109/L. In the clinical trial, treatment delays of up to 3 weeks were permitted. Reduced doses were not re-escalated. Administration of G-CSF was permitted for febrile neutropenia, but was not a substitute for appropriate dose reductions (see table below).
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Worse toxicity in previous cycle
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Carboplatin (% previous dose)*
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Pemetrexed (% previous dose)*
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1st episode febrile neutropenia, grade 4 thrombocytopenia or thrombocytopenic bleeding
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75%
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75%
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2nd episode febrile neutropenia, grade 4 thrombocytopenia or thrombocytopenic bleeding
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50%**
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50%**
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Grade 3 related organ non-hematologic toxicity (except nausea and/or vomiting)
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75%
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75%
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Grade 4 related organ non-hematologic toxicity
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50% or Discontinue
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50% or Discontinue
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| Symptoms suggesting pneumonitis | n/a | Hold and investigate; discontinue if confirmed. |
| Any occurrence of SJS/TEN | n/a | Discontinue |
*Do not retreat unless platelets ≥ 100 x 109/L, ANC ≥ 1.5 x 109/L and toxicities have recovered to ≤ grade 1
**If toxicity recurs a 3rd time, discontinue
Hepatic Impairment
Renal Impairment
Patients with CrCl < 45 ml/min were excluded from clinical trials.
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CrCl (ml/min)
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Carboplatin dose
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Pemetrexed dose
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≥ 45 ml/min
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Use Calvert formula, if appropriate
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No change
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< 45 ml/min
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Discontinue
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Discontinue
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Dosage in the Elderly
Carboplatin: caution should be exercised and dose reduction considered as elderly patients may have more severe myelosuppression and neuropathy.
Pemetrexed: no dosage adjustments are needed, but elderly patients should be monitored closely as more myelosuppression, renal and severe GI effects were noted.
Refer to pemetrexed, CARBOplatin drug monograph(s) for additional details of adverse effects.
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Very common (≥ 50%) |
Common (25-49%) |
Less common (10-24%) |
Uncommon (< 10%), but may be severe or life-threatening |
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Refer to pemetrexed, CARBOplatin drug monograph(s) for additional details.
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Nephrotoxic drugs (e.g. aminoglycosides) may increase the toxicity of pemetrexed and exacerbate nephro and ototoxicity; caution and monitor closely if used together
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NSAIDs may increase the toxicity of pemetrexed. Hold NSAIDs with shorter half-lives (e.g. ibuprofen) at least 2 days before to 2 days after pemetrexed. Hold NSAIDs with long half-lives (e.g. piroxicam) 5 days before to 2 days after pemetrexed.
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Phenytoin levels may be altered by carboplatin. Monitor levels and adjust the phenytoin dose as required.
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Use with warfarin may increase INR and the risk of bleeding. Monitor INR and adjust the warfarin dose as required.
Refer to pemetrexed, CARBOplatin drug monograph(s) for additional details
Administration
Carboplatin:
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Mix in 100mL to 250mL bag (5% Dextrose or Normal Saline).
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Administer over 30 minutes, starting 30 minutes after the end of Pemetrexed.
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Incompatible with sets, needles or syringes containing aluminum – leads to precipitation and loss of potency.
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Protect from light.
Pemetrexed:
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Reconstitute as directed with Normal Saline.
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Dilute drug in 100mL (Normal Saline only); Infuse IV over 10 minutes.
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Incompatible with calcium-containing solutions.
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Do not co-administer with other drugs and diluents.
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Keep unopened vials at room temperature. Pemetrexed is not light sensitive.
Contraindications
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Patients who have a hypersensitivity to these drugs or other platinum-containing compounds
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Patients with severe renal impairment (CrCl < 45 ml/min), severe myelosuppression or bleeding tumours
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Avoid the use of live vaccines
Other warnings/precautions
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Patients with abnormal renal function or who are receiving concomitant nephrotoxic drugs
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Patients who have received extensive prior treatment, have poor performance status and those over 65 years of age
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Patients with cardiovascular risk factors
Pregnancy/lactation
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These drugs are not recommended in pregnancy.
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Adequate contraception should be used by both sexes during treatment, and for at least 6 months after the last dose.
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Breastfeeding is not recommended
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Fertility Effects:
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Carboplatin: Unknown
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Pemetrexed: Yes (may be irreversible)
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Treating physicians may decide to monitor more or less frequently for individual patients but should always consider recommendations from the product monograph.
Recommended Clinical Monitoring
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CBC; baseline and before each cycle
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Liver function tests; baseline and regular
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Renal function tests; baseline and regular, including electrolytes
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Clinical toxicity assessment for neurotoxicity, ototoxicity, hypersensitivity, bleeding, infection, GI, and pulmonary effects; at each visit
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Grade toxicity using the current NCI-CTCAE (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events) version
Suggested Clinical Monitoring
INR for patients receiving warfarin; baseline and regular
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Carboplatin and pemetrexed drug monographs, Cancer Care Ontario.
Zukin M, Barrios CH, Pereira JR, et al. Randomized phase III trial of single-agent pemetrexed versus carboplatin and pemetrexed in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 2. J Clin Oncol. 2013 Aug 10;31(23):2849-53.
August 2021 Modified Rationale and Uses section
Calvert Formula
DOSE (mg) = target AUC X (GFR + 25)
- AUC = product of serum concentration (mg/mL) and time (min)
- GFR (glomerular filtration rate) expressed as measured Creatinine Clearance or estimated from Serum Creatinine (by Cockcroft and Gault method or Jelliffe method)
Regimen Abstracts
A Regimen Abstract is an abbreviated version of a Regimen Monograph and contains only top level information on usage, dosing, schedule, cycle length and special notes (if available). It is intended for healthcare providers and is to be used for informational purposes only. It is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for medical advice, and all uses of the Regimen Abstract are subject to clinical judgment. Such information is provided on an “as-is” basis, without any representation, warranty, or condition, whether express, or implied, statutory or otherwise, as to the information’s quality, accuracy, currency, completeness, or reliability, and Cancer Care Ontario disclaims all liability for the use of this information, and for any claims, actions, demands or suits that arise from such use.
Information in regimen abstracts is accurate to the extent of the ST-QBP regimen master listings, and has not undergone the full review process of a regimen monograph. Full regimen monographs will be published for each ST-QBP regimen as they are developed.
Regimen Monographs
Refer to the New Drug Funding Program or Ontario Public Drug Programs websites for the most up-to-date public funding information.
The information set out in the drug monographs, regimen monographs, appendices and symptom management information (for health professionals) contained in the Drug Formulary (the "Formulary") is intended for healthcare providers and is to be used for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects of a particular drug, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for a given condition. The information in the Formulary is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for medical advice and should not be relied upon in any such regard. All uses of the Formulary are subject to clinical judgment and actual prescribing patterns may not follow the information provided in the Formulary.
The format and content of the drug monographs, regimen monographs, appendices and symptom management information contained in the Formulary will change as they are reviewed and revised on a periodic basis. The date of last revision will be visible on each page of the monograph and regimen. Since standards of usage are constantly evolving, it is advised that the Formulary not be used as the sole source of information. It is strongly recommended that original references or product monograph be consulted prior to using a chemotherapy regimen for the first time.
Some Formulary documents, such as the medication information sheets, regimen information sheets and symptom management information (for patients), are intended for patients. Patients should always consult with their healthcare provider if they have questions regarding any information set out in the Formulary documents.
While care has been taken in the preparation of the information contained in the Formulary, such information is provided on an “as-is” basis, without any representation, warranty, or condition, whether express, or implied, statutory or otherwise, as to the information’s quality, accuracy, currency, completeness, or reliability.
CCO and the Formulary’s content providers shall have no liability, whether direct, indirect, consequential, contingent, special, or incidental, related to or arising from the information in the Formulary or its use thereof, whether based on breach of contract or tort (including negligence), and even if advised of the possibility thereof. Anyone using the information in the Formulary does so at his or her own risk, and by using such information, agrees to indemnify CCO and its content providers from any and all liability, loss, damages, costs and expenses (including legal fees and expenses) arising from such person’s use of the information in the Formulary.