You are using an outdated browser. We suggest you update your browser for a better experience. Click here for update.
Close this notification.
Skip to main content Skip to search

COVID-19: Get the latest updates or take a self-assessment.

Screen for hepatitis B virus in all cancer patients starting systemic treatment. Find out more about hepatitis B virus screening and management.

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.

CRBPPACL+NIVL+IPIL

Cancer Type:
Lung, 
Non-Small Cell
Intent: Palliative
Regimen Category: Evidence-informed
Funding:
New Drug Funding Program
    Nivolumab plus Ipilimumab - In Combination with Platinum Doublet Chemotherapy for First Line Metastatic or Recurrent Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
New Drug Funding Program
    Nivolumab plus Ipilimumab - In Combination with Platinum Doublet Chemotherapy for First Line Metastatic or Recurrent Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
A - Regimen Name

CRBPPACL+NIVL+IPIL Regimen
CARBOplatin-PACLitaxel-Nivolumab-Ipilimumab


Disease Site
Lung
Non-Small Cell


Intent
Palliative

Regimen Category
Evidence-informed :

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.


Rationale and Uses

First-line treatment of metastatic or recurrent squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no known epidermal growth factor (EGFR) or anasplatic lymphoma kinase (ALK) genomic tumour aberrations, in patients with good performance status


Supplementary Public Funding

nivolumab
New Drug Funding Program (Nivolumab plus Ipilimumab - In Combination with Platinum Doublet Chemotherapy for First Line Metastatic or Recurrent Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer) (NDFP Website )

ipilimumab
New Drug Funding Program (Nivolumab plus Ipilimumab - In Combination with Platinum Doublet Chemotherapy for First Line Metastatic or Recurrent Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer) (NDFP Website )

 
B - Drug Regimen

Cycle 1:

nivolumab

*

4.5 mg /kg IV Day 1


* NDFP funded dosing; maximum 360 mg per dose 

ipilimumab
1 mg /kg IV Day 1
PACLitaxel
175-200 mg /m² IV Day 1
CARBOplatin
AUC 6 IV Day 1

 

Cycle 2:

nivolumab

*

4.5 mg /kg IV Day 1


* maximum 360 mg per dose

PACLitaxel
175-200 mg /m² IV Day 1
CARBOplatin
AUC 6 IV Day 1
back to top
 
C - Cycle Frequency

Give every 21 days for 2 cycles only, unless disease progression or unacceptable toxicity occurs.

After completion of cycles 1 and 2, continue with nivolumab q3 weeks and ipilimumab q6 weeks [see NIVL+IPIL(MNT) for details].

 
D - Premedication and Supportive Measures

Pre-medications (prophylaxis for infusion reaction):
 

Nivolumab:

  • Routine pre-medication is not recommended. 

  • May consider pre-medication with antipyretics and H1-receptor antagonists if an IR has occurred in the past.

Ipilimumab:

  • Consider an antipyretic and H1-receptor antagonist
     
  • For ipilimumab-related drug fever, premedicate with acetaminophen for subsequent doses and may repeat the antipyretic at 6-12 hours after the ipilimumab infusion.

PACLitaxel:

Pre-medications* (prophylaxis for infusion reaction):

  • Dexamethasone 20 mg PO 12-and 6-hours OR Dexamethasone 20 mg IV 30 minutes pre-infusion
  • Diphenhydramine 25-50 mg IV/PO 30-60 minutes pre-infusion
  • Ranitidine 50 mg IV OR Famotidine 20 mg IV 30-60 minutes pre-infusion

Consider discontinuing pre-medications for paclitaxel if there was no IR in the first 2 doses.

 Oral and IV dexamethasone are both effective at reducing overall IR rates.  Some evidence suggests that oral dexamethasone may be more effective for reducing severe reactions; however, adverse effects and compliance remain a concern.


Antiemetic Regimen:  Moderate + NK1 antagonist (Carboplatin AUC ≥ 5)

Also refer to CCO Antiemetic Recommendations.

 
J - Administrative Information

Approximate Patient Visit
5 to 6 hours
Pharmacy Workload (average time per visit)
43.103 minutes
Nursing Workload (average time per visit)
59.167 minutes
 
K - References

Paz-Ares L, Ciuleanu TE, Cobo M, et al. First-line nivolumab plus ipilimumab combined with two cycles of chemotherapy in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (CheckMate 9LA): an international, randomised, open-label, phase 3 trial. Lancet Oncol . 2021 Feb;22(2):198-211. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(20)30641-0.

pCODR Expert review committee final recommendation: Nivolumab in combination with ipilimumab and two cycles of platinum-based chemotherapy, March 2021.

September 2023 Updated "Administrative Information" with pharmacy and nursing workload.


back to top
 
M - Disclaimer

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.