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.
NPAC(W)
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 the treatment of metastatic melanoma.
NDFP funding is available for eligible patients who experienced hypersensitivity reactions to taxanes or have significant contraindications to taxanes and/or their pre-medications.
(Refer to the NDFP eligibility form for detailed funding criteria.)
nab-PACLitaxel
New Drug Funding Program
(Nab-Paclitaxel - Hypersensitivity Reactions to Taxanes)
(NDFP Website
)
Nab-PACLitaxel is not-interchangeable with other PACLitaxel formulations.
| nab-PACLitaxel | 100 to 150 mg /m² | IV | Days 1, 8, 15 |
Low
Other Supportive Care:
Also refer to CCO Antiemetic Recommendations.
Screen for hepatitis B virus in all cancer patients starting systemic treatment. Refer to the hepatitis B virus screening and management guideline.
No premedication to prevent hypersensitivity is required.
Doses should be modified according to the protocol by which the patient is being treated.
Nab-PACLitaxel is not-interchangeable with other PACLitaxel formulations.
Nab-paclitaxel should only be administered if neutrophils ≥ 1.5 x 109/L and platelets ≥ 100 x 109/L on day 1 of each treatment cycle.
Dosage with toxicity
| Worst Toxicity / Counts (x 109/L) |
Nab-paclitaxel % of previous dose
|
|
ANC < 0.5 ≥ 7 days OR febrile neutropenia OR Delay of next cycle due to persistent neutropenia (ANC < 1.5) |
Hold*†^, then 80%
|
|
Grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia or bleeding
|
Hold*†^, then 80%. Discontinue if recurs.
|
| Grade 2 or 3 cutaneous toxicity | Hold*†^, then 80% |
| Grade 3 mucositis or diarrhea | Hold*†^, then 80% |
| Grade 3 or 4 sensory neuropathy | Hold*†^, then 80% |
| Other grade 3 related organ/non-hematologic toxicity (except nausea/ vomiting /alopecia) | Hold*†^, then 80%^ |
|
Other grade 4 related organ/non-hematologic toxicity OR Severe hypersensitivity OR Any cystoid macular edema |
Discontinue |
| Pneumonitis | Hold and investigate; discontinue if confirmed |
*On day 1 of each cycle do not treat until ANC ≥ 1.5 x 109/L and platelets ≥ 100 x 109/L. On days 8 and 15, do not treat until ANC ≥ 1 x 109/L and platelets ≥ 75 x 109/L.
†Do not treat until non-hematologic toxicity ≤ grade 2 (or ≤grade 1 for mucositis, diarrhea, neuropathy or cutaneous toxicity).
^Discontinue treatment if there is a third occurrence of toxicity that would require dose reduction.
Hepatic Impairment
Patients with hepatic impairment may be at increased risk of myelosuppression and should be closely monitored.
|
Bilirubin |
|
AST |
Nab-paclitaxel* |
|
>1 to ≤ 1.5 x ULN |
and |
≤ 10 x ULN |
100% |
|
>1.5 to ≤ 5 x ULN |
and |
≤ 10 x ULN |
↓ to 80% for metastatic breast cancer**; Discontinue for metastatic pancreatic cancer (has not been studied). |
|
> 5 x ULN |
or |
> 10 x ULN |
Discontinue (has not been studied). |
*Based on clinical judgment. Patients with elevated baseline bilirubin were excluded from clinical trials. Less conservative adjustments can be considered if hepatic changes are secondary to metastases rather than hepatic cirrhosis or hepatitis.
**Reduced dose may be escalated to 100% if treatment is tolerated for at least 2 cycles at the reduced dose.
Renal Impairment
|
Creatinine Clearance (mL/min) |
Nab-paclitaxel* |
|
≥ 30 to < 90 |
100% |
|
< 30 |
Discontinue (has not been studied). |
*Based on clinical judgment. Patients with elevated baseline creatinine were excluded from clinical trials.
Dosage in the Elderly
No dose adjustment is required.
Refer to nab-PACLitaxel drug monograph(s) for additional details of adverse effects.
|
Very common (≥ 50%) |
Common (25-49%) |
Less common (10-24%) |
Uncommon (< 10%), but may be severe or life-threatening |
|
|
|
|
Refer to nab-PACLitaxel drug monograph(s) for additional details.
No drug interaction studies have been conducted with nab-paclitaxel, but are likely to be similar to those reported for paclitaxel (refer to the paclitaxel drug monograph).
Refer to nab-PACLitaxel drug monograph(s) for additional details.
Administration
-
Refer to the product monograph for full instructions on reconstitution.
-
The reconstituted suspension should be milky and homogenous without visible particulates.
-
Avoid shaking drug suspension in order to minimize foaming.
-
No further dilution is required after reconstitution. Transfer reconstituted drug to an empty, sterile IV PVC or non-PVC infusion bag.
-
Infuse intravenously over 30 minutes. Slower infusion rates may increase the likelihood of infusion-related reactions.
-
DEHP-free containers or administration sets may be used but are not required.
-
Do not admix with other drugs.
-
Use of syringes and IV bags containing silicone oil as lubricant may cause formation of proteinaceous strands. If strands are observed by visual inspection of IV bag, administer reconstituted suspension through filter of at least 15 µm pore size. If this is not possible, discard the product.
-
Store unopened vial at 20-25⁰C in its original carton; protect from light.
Contraindications
-
Patients who have a hypersensitivity to this drug or any of its components (such as albumin) in the formulation or container
-
Patients with baseline ANC of < 1.5 x 109/L on day 1 of each treatment cycle
Other Warnings / Precautions
-
Do not give nab-paclitaxel to patients with platelets < 100 x 109/L.
-
The use of nab-paclitaxel in patients exhibiting hypersensitivity to paclitaxel or human albumin has not been studied.
-
Patients with elevated baseline bilirubin or elevated baseline creatinine were excluded from clinical trials.
-
The use of albumin-containing solutions is associated with a remote risk of viral transmission, including CJD.
-
Radiation recall and pneumonitis have been reported in patients with concurrent radiotherapy.
-
Nab-paclitaxel is not recommended for use in patients with a history of interstitial lung disease, multiple allergies, progressive dyspnea or unproductive cough (cases of serious pneumonitis were reported in those treated with combination nab-paclitaxel and gemcitabine).
-
Caution is recommended prior to driving or operating machinery if fatigue, weakness or dizziness are present.
Pregnancy / Lactation
-
This regimen is not recommended for use in pregnancy. Adequate contraception should be used by patients and their partners while on treatment and after the last treatment dose. Recommended methods and duration of contraception may differ depending on the treatment. Refer to the drug monograph(s) for more information.
-
Breastfeeding is not recommended during this treatment and after the last treatment dose. Refer to the drug monograph(s) for recommendations after the last treatment dose (if available).
-
Fertility effects: Probable
Treating physicians may decide to monitor more or less frequently for individual patients but should always consider recommendations from the product monograph.
Refer to the hepatitis B virus screening and management guideline for monitoring during and after treatment.
Recommended Clinical Monitoring
-
CBC; Baseline and before each dose
-
Liver function tests; Baseline, before each cycle and as clinically indicated
- Closely monitor the injection site for possible infiltration; regular
-
Renal function tests; Baseline and as clinically indicated
-
ECG monitoring especially in patients who have cardiac risk factors; Baseline and as clinically indicated
-
Clinical toxicity assessment of fatigue, neuropathy, infection and bleeding, hypersensitivity, musculoskeletal, GI, ophthalmic, thromboembolism, local reactions and pneumonitis; At each visit
-
Grade toxicity using the current NCI-CTCAE (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events) version
back to top
Hersh EM, Del Vecchio M, Brown MP, et al. A randomized, controlled phase III trial of nab-Paclitaxel versus dacarbazine in chemotherapy-naïve patients with metastatic melanoma. Ann Oncol. 2015 Nov;26(11):2267-74.
Hersh EM, O'Day SJ, Ribas A, et al. A phase 2 clinical trial of nab-paclitaxel in previously treated and chemotherapy-naive patients with metastatic melanoma. Cancer 2010;116(1):155-63.
Nab-paclitaxel drug monograph, Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario).
December 2024 Added NDFP form; updated Rationale/uses and Drug Regimen sections
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.