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.
PEMB; CISP(RT)+PEMB
Curative
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.
This 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). 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.
Post-operative treatment of resectable, locally advanced (Stage III-IVA) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC)
(Refer to NDFP eligibility form for detailed funding criteria.)
pembrolizumab
New Drug Funding Program
(Pembrolizumab - (Neo)adjuvant Treatment for Resectable Locally Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma)
(NDFP Website
)
Concurrent with radiotherapy (RT):
|
pembrolizumab 1,2 | 2 mg /kg | IV (max 200 mg) | Day 1; q3 weeks |
|
WITH |
|||
| CISplatin | 100 mg /m² | IV | Day 1; q3 weeks for 3 doses |
|
1Dosing based on NDFP funding criteria. Alternative dosing schedule: pembrolizumab 4 mg/kg (max 400 mg) IV q6 weeks. 2Administer pembrolizumab prior to chemoradiotherapy when given on the same day. |
|||
|
|
|||
| pembrolizumab | 2 mg /kg | IV (max 200 mg) | Day 1; q3 weeks |
|
OR |
|||
| pembrolizumab | 4 mg /kg | IV (max 400 mg) | Day 1; q6 weeks |
Cisplatin: REPEAT EVERY 21 DAYS for 3 doses (concurrent with RT)
Pembrolizumab: REPEAT EVERY 21 DAYS for 3 cycles† (concurrent with RT)
†Pembrolizumab 2 mg/kg dosing
[(Alternative) Pembrolizumab 4 mg/kg: Repeat EVERY 42 DAYS for 2 cycles]
Followed by single agent PEMB, until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity, or for a total maximum duration of 1 year or equivalent (including neoadjuvant doses), whichever comes first.
Antiemetic Regimen: High
- Also refer to CCO Antiemetic Recommendations.
Pre-medications for pembrolizumab (prophylaxis for infusion reaction):
- Routine pre-medication is not recommended.
- May consider antipyretic and H1-receptor antagonist in patients who experienced a grade 1-2 infusion reaction.
Other Supportive Care:
- Avoid the use of corticosteroids or immunosuppressants before starting pembrolizumab treatment. Corticosteroids may be used as premedication (e.g. antiemetic) when given with chemotherapy.
- For cisplatin, all patients should receive adequate hydration and premedication for emesis, according to local guidelines.
Canada’s Drug Agency. Reimbursement Recommendation: Pembrolizumab (Keytruda). Canadian Journal of Health Technologies. October 2025.
Cisplatin drug monograph. Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario).
Pembrolizumab drug monograph. Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario).
Uppaluri R, Haddad RI, Tao Y, et al. Neoadjuvant and adjuvant pembrolizumab in locally advanced head and neck cancer. N Engl J Med. 2025 Jul 3;393(1):37-50. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2415434.
February 2026 Updated Rationale/Uses, Supplementary Public Funding, Drug Regimen, and Cycle Frequency 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.