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: Obtenez les dernières mises à jour ou faites une autoévaluation.

Effectuez un dépistage du virus de l'hépatite B chez tous les patients cancéreux débutant un traitement systémique. Apprenez-en davantage sur le dépistage et la gestion du virus de l'hépatite B.

Certaines de ces informations ou toutes, dans certains cas, n’apparaissent qu’en Anglais. Vous pouvez demander la version française

Les renseignements du Formulaire de médicaments s’adressent aux professionnels de la santé. Il ne s’agit pas d’un avis médical. Certains des renseignements, y compris ceux sur le financement des médicaments anticancéreux, ne s’appliquent pas à tous les patients. Les plans de traitement du cancer sont propres à chaque patient. Si vous êtes un patient, veuillez parler avec votre équipe soignante pour comprendre comment ces renseignements s’appliquent à vous.

A - Regimen Name

CRBPPACL Regimen
PACLitaxel-CARBOplatin


Disease Site
Skin - Melanoma

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

Treatment of patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic melanoma.

 
B - Drug Regimen

PACLitaxel
175-200* 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.

*Some clinical trials reduced doses to paclitaxel 175mg/m2 and carboplatin AUC 5 for cycles 5 on.

back to top
 
C - Cycle Frequency

REPEAT EVERY 21 DAYS

Until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity, usually up to 6 cycles due to cumulative carboplatin toxicity

 
D - Premedication and Supportive Measures

Antiemetic Regimen:

Moderate + NK1 antagonist (Carboplatin AUC ≥ 5)

Also refer to CCO Antiemetic Recommendations.

 

Pre-medications (prophylaxis for infusion reaction):

Paclitaxel*:

  • 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.

 

Carboplatin:

  • There is insufficient evidence that routine prophylaxis with pre-medications reduce infusion reaction (IR) rates.

  • Corticosteroids and H1-receptor antagonists ± H2-receptor antagonists may reduce IR rates for some patients (e.g. gynecological patients with a platinum-free interval (PFI) > 12 months or a history of drug allergy who are receiving carboplatin starting from the 7th cycle) but no optimal pre-medication regimen has been established.

 
J - Administrative Information

Approximate Patient Visit
5-6 hours
Pharmacy Workload (average time per visit)
30.383 minutes
Nursing Workload (average time per visit)
59.833 minutes
 
K - References

Carboplatin and paclitaxel drug monographs, Cancer Care Ontario.

Flaherty KT, Lee SJ, Schuchter LM, et al. Final results of E2603: A double-blind, randomized phase III trial comparing carboplatin/paclitaxel with or without sorafenib in metastatic melanoma.  J Clin Oncol 2010;28(15s):abstract 8511.

Hauschild A, Agarwala SS, Trefzer U, et al. Results of a Phase III, Randomized, placebo-controlled study of sorafenib in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel as second-line treatment in patients with unresectable stage III or stage IV melanoma. J Clin Oncol 2009;27:2823-30.

Hodi S, Soiffer RJ, Clark J.  Phase II study of paclitaxel and carboplatin for malignant melanoma.  Am J Clin Oncol 2002;25(3):283–6.

Pflugfelder A, Eigentler TK, Keim U, et al.  Effectiveness of carboplatin and paclitaxel as first- and second-line treatment in 61 patients with metastatic melanoma. PLoS One 2011;6(2):e16882.

Rao RD, Holtan SG, Ingle JN, et al.  Combination of paclitaxel and carboplatin as second-line therapy for patients with metastatic melanoma. Cancer 2006;106:375–82.

August 2020 Updated infusion reaction information in Premedication and Supportive Measures section


back to top
 
L - Other Notes

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)

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

 

 
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.