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.
CRBPPAC+ETOP(PO)
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 metastatic carcinoma of unknown primary. This regimen produced significantly higher myelosuppression but lower GI toxicity than GEMCIRIN in the phase III trial, although response rates, progression-free survival and 2-year survival were similar
etoposide
ODB - General Benefit
(etoposide - oral capsules)
(ODB Formulary
)
PACLitaxel | 175 to 200 mg /m² | IV | Day 1 |
CARBOplatin | AUC 5 to 6 | IV | Day 1 |
Adjust Carboplatin dose to AUC target (using Calvert formula) as outlined in "Other Notes" section. |
|||
etoposide | 50 mg | PO | Days 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 |
etoposide | 100 mg | PO | Days 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 |
(outpatient prescription in multiples of 50mg capsules)
|
REPEAT EVERY 21 DAYS
For a usual total of 6 cycles or until evidence of progression or unacceptable toxicity
Moderate + NK1 antagonist (Carboplatin AUC ≥ 5)
No routine prophylaxis for etoposide PO
Other Supportive Care:
Patients should be pretreated with a corticosteroid as well as an antihistamine and a H2 blocker. For example:
- Dexamethasone: 20mg PO 12 & 6 hours before paclitaxel OR 20mg IV 30 minutes before paclitaxel
- Diphenhydramine: 50mg IV 30 minutes before paclitaxel
- Ranitidine: 50mg IV 30 minutes before paclitaxel
Also refer to CCO Antiemetic Recommendations.
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 could be considered.
Dosage with toxicity
Day 1:
Worst Toxicity / Counts (x109/L) in previous cycle) | Worst Toxicity / Counts (x109/L) in previous cycle | PACLitaxel (% previous dose) | CARBOplatin (% previous dose) | Etoposide | |
Febrile neutropenia Or ANC < 0.5 for ≥ 5-7d |
OR |
Thrombocytopenic bleeding Or Platelets < 25 |
Hold*, then 75% | Hold*, then ↓ 1 AUC# | Give etoposide on days 1 to 8 only |
Grade 3 neurotoxicity or related organ / non-hematologic | Hold*, then 75% if related | Hold*, then ↓ 1 AUC if related | Give etoposide on days 1 to 8 only, if related | ||
Grade 4 neurotoxicity or related organ / non-hematologic; > 3 week delay due to toxicity |
Discontinue | Discontinue | Discontinue |
*Do not restart new cycle until toxicities have recovered to ≤ grade 1, platelets ≥ 100 x 109/L, and ANC ≥ 1.5 x 109/L.
Day 8:
Counts (x 109/L) | Counts (x 109/L) | Etoposide | |
ANC < 1.5 | Or | Platelets < 75 | Omit doses for days 8 to 10 |
Paclitaxel - Hypersensitivity:
- For mild symptoms (e.g., mild flushing, rash, pruritus), attempt to complete the infusion under close supervision.
- For moderate symptoms (e.g., moderate rash, flushing, mild dyspnea, chest discomfort, mild hypotension),
- Stop the paclitaxel infusion and give diphenhydramine 25-50 mg IV and methylprednisolone 125 mg IV.
- Once symptoms have resolved, resume paclitaxel infusion at a rate of 10% of original rate for 15 minutes, then at 25% of original rate for 15 minutes, and if no further symptoms develop, continue at original rate until infusion is complete.
- For severe symptoms (e.g., one or more of: respiratory distress requiring treatment, generalized urticaria, angioedema, hypotension requiring therapy),
- Stop the paclitaxel infusion; give diphenhydramine and methylprednisolone as above. Use epinephrine or bronchodilators if indicated.
- Do not rechallenge with paclitaxel.
Hepatic Impairment
Bilirubin |
|
AST/ALT |
PACLitaxel (% previous dose) |
CARBOplatin (% previous dose) |
etoposide (% previous dose) |
1-2 x ULN |
|
|
No change |
No change |
50% |
>2-4 x ULN |
or |
2-4 x ULN |
135 mg/m2 |
No change |
25% |
>4 x ULN |
or |
>4 x ULN |
50 mg/m2 or OMIT |
No change |
Discontinue |
Renal Impairment
Creatinine Clearance (mL/min) | Paclitaxel | Carboplatin (% previous dose) | Etoposide (% previous dose) |
20 - 50 | No change | Use Calvert Formula | 75% |
<20 | No change | Discontinue | 50% or Discontinue |
Most Common Side Effects |
Less Common Side Effects, but may be |
|
|
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
- CBC; days 1 and 8
- Liver function tests; baseline and regular
- Renal function tests; baseline and regular including electrolytes
- Blood pressure and pulse rate monitoring during paclitaxel infusion, cardiac monitoring with prior arrhythmia
- Clinical assessment of fever, infection, stomatitis, GI, bleeding, thromboembolism, musculoskeletal, neurologic (sensory), ototoxicity, hypersensitivity and flu-like symptoms
-
Grade toxicity using the current NCI-CTCAE (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events) version
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Briasoulis E, Kalofonos H, Bafaloukos D, et al. Carboplatin plus paclitaxel in unknown primary carcinoma: a phase II Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group Study. J Clin Oncol 2000;18(17):3101-7.
Greco FA, Rodriguez GI, Shaffer DW, et al. Carcinoma of unknown primary site: sequential treatment with paclitaxel/carboplatin/etoposide and gemcitabine/irinotecan: a Minnie Pearl Cancer Research Network phase II trial. Oncologist 2004;9(6):644-52.
Greco FA, Burris HA, Erland JB, et al. Carcinoma of unknown primary site: long term follow-up after treatment with paclitaxel, carboplatin, and etoposide. Cancer 2000;89(12):2655-60.
Hainsworth JD, Spigel DR, Clark BL, et al. Paclitaxel/carboplatin/etoposide versus gemcitabine/irinotecan in the first-line treatment of patients with carcinoma of unknown primary site: a randomized, phase III Sarah Cannon Oncology Research Consortium Trial. Cancer J. 2010 Jan-Feb;16(1):70-5.
Hainsworth JD, Spigel DR, Litchy S, Greco FA, et al. Phase II trial of paclitaxel, carboplatin, and etoposide in advanced poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma: a Minnie Pearl Cancer Research Network Study. J Clin Oncol 2006;24(22):3548-54.
Huebner G, Link H, Kohne CH, et al. German CUP Study Group. Paclitaxel and carboplatin vs gemcitabine and vinorelbine in patients with adeno- or undifferentiated carcinoma of unknown primary: a randomised prospective phase II trial. Br J Cancer 2009;100(1):44-9.
May 2019 Updated emetic risk category
Calvert Formula:
- 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)
Calvert AH, Newell DR, Gumbrell LA, et al, Carboplatin dosage: Prospective evaluation of a simple formula based on renal function. J Clin Oncol, 1989; 7: 1748-1756
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.