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.
CAPE+BEVA
Small bowel and appendix
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.
Bevacizumab is funded in combination with fluoropyrimidine (i.e. capecitabine) for first line treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal, small bowel or appendiceal cancer for whom combination chemotherapy with oxaliplatin or irinotecan is unsuitable. Patients should have ECOG performance status ≤ 2. See NDFP eligibility form for detailed funding criteria.
capecitabine
ODB - General Benefit
(capecitabine)
(ODB Formulary
)
bevacizumab
New Drug Funding Program
(Bevacizumab (Biosimilar) - Metastatic Colorectal, Small Bowel, or Appendiceal Cancer)
(NDFP Website
)
Different bevacizumab products are not interchangeable.
capecitabine | 1000 mg /m² | PO | BID* on Days 1 to 14 |
*Total daily dose: 2000 mg/m2 (Outpatient prescription in 150 mg and 500 mg tablets) |
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bevacizumab | 7.5 mg /kg | IV | Day 1 |
Minimal
Other Supportive Care:
Also refer to CCO Antiemetic Recommendations.
Capecitabine
Topical emollients (e.g. hand creams, udder balm) may ameliorate the manifestations of hand-foot syndrome.
Supportive care should be provided, including loperamide for diarrhea.
Bevacizumab
Consider hypersensitivity prophylaxis for patients who have had prior mild hypersensitivity reactions and are continuing on treatment.
Hypertension should be controlled prior to starting treatment.
Doses should be modified according to the protocol by which the patient is being treated.
Patients should be tested for DPD deficiency before starting treatment with capecitabine. Refer to the DPD Deficiency Guidance for Clinicians for more information.
In patients with unrecognized DPD deficiency, acute, life-threatening toxicity may occur; if acute grade 2-4 toxicity develops, treatment should be stopped immediately and permanent discontinuation considered based on clinical assessment of the toxicities.
Dosage with toxicity
Dose modifications of capecitabine, but not bevacizumab were allowed after occurrence and resolution of grade 3-4 hematologic and grade 2-4 non-hematologic toxicities. If temporary hold or discontinuation of one drug was required, patients may continue on the other drug if clinically appropriate.
Capecitabine
Do not start treatment with capecitabine unless baseline neutrophil counts are ≥ 1.5 x 109/L and/or platelet counts of ≥ 100 x 109/L. Doses should not be re-escalated if reduced for toxicity. Missed or omitted doses of capecitabine should not be replaced. Dose modifications are mandatory for gastrointestinal, dermatological toxicity and hyperbilirubinemia. Practitioner may elect not to reduce dose for other toxicities unlikely to become serious or life-threatening.
Toxicity
|
Action During a Course of Therapy |
Dose Adjustment for Next Cycle (% of starting dose)
|
Grade 1
|
Maintain dose level
|
Maintain dose level
|
Grade 2 non-heme toxicity
1st appearance
2nd appearance
3rd appearance
4th appearance
|
Interrupt until resolved to grade 0-1
Interrupt until resolved to grade 0-1
Interrupt until resolved to grade 0-1 Discontinue treatment permanently
|
100%
75%
50%
--
|
Grade 3 heme or non-heme toxicity
1st appearance
2nd appearance
3rd appearance, OR any evidence of Stevens-Johnson syndrome or Toxic epidermal necrolysis |
Interrupt until resolved to grade 0-1
Interrupt until resolved to grade 0-1
Discontinue treatment permanently
|
75%
50%
--
|
Grade 4 heme or non-heme toxicity
1st appearance, including SJS or TEN, OR cardiotoxicity OR
acute renal failure
2nd appearance OR any occurrence of confirmed leukoencephalopathy
|
Discontinue permanently
Discontinue permanently |
Discontinue
OR
50%
--
|
Bevacizumab
Dose reductions are not recommended. Bevacizumab should be held or discontinued based on toxicity.
Bevacizumab action |
Toxicity |
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Any grade |
Grade 3 |
Grade 4 |
|
Hold: |
Uncontrolled hypertension |
|
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Delayed wound healing |
|
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Proteinuria ≥ 2g/ 24 hours* |
|
|
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Surgery** |
|
|
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Discontinue: |
|
Hypertension (not controlled with medical management) |
Hypertension |
Wound dehiscence, poor healing requiring medical intervention; necrotizing fasciitis |
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Nephrotic syndrome; |
|
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Severe hypersensitivity reaction |
|
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Tracheo-esophageal fistula, other non-GI fistulae |
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Any internal fistula |
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GI perforation or fistula |
|
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PRES, hypertensive encephalopathy |
|
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Arterial thromboembolism |
Pulmonary embolism |
Venous thromboembolism (including pulmonary embolism) |
|
Symptomatic cardiac failure |
|
|
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Recurrent hemoptysis > 2.5 mL |
Bleeding (any) |
Bleeding (any) |
|
Intracranial bleeding |
|
|
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* may restart when < 2g/24hrs ** for 28 days PRIOR (if surgery elective) and AFTER major surgery, or until wound healed |
Hepatic Impairment
Capecitabine
In patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment, exposure is increased but no dose adjustment is necessary, although caution should be exercised. Use dose modification table above for increases in bilirubin. The use of capecitabine in patients with severe hepatic impairment has not been studied
Bevacizumab
No information found. Not a major route of metabolism or excretion.
Renal Impairment
Creatinine Clearance (mL/min)
|
Capecitabine
(% dose)
|
Bevacizumab*
|
51 - 80
|
100 % with close monitoring
|
No data
|
30 - 50
|
75 % (use with caution)
|
No data
|
<30
|
CONTRAINDICATED
|
No data
|
*Not a major route of metabolism, excretion
Dosage in the Elderly
Capecitabine
No dose adjustment for the starting dose is required, but patients should be closely monitored and dose modification should be performed as described above. Older patients are more susceptible to the effects of fluoropyrimidine-based therapies with increased grade 3 / 4 adverse effects, especially when used in combination.
Bevacizumab
Use with caution; patients > 65 years old have an increased risk of arterial thrombotic events as well as myelosuppression, fatigue, proteinuria, hypertension, dizziness, dysphonia, anorexia and GI effects.
Refer to capecitabine, bevacizumab 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 capecitabine, bevacizumab drug monograph(s) for additional details
- Use bevacizumab with caution with bisphosphonates and anti-angiogenic drugs given increased risk of ONJ
- Avoid concomitant administration of capecitabine and sorivudine and its analogs (wait at least 4 weeks after sorivudine treatment before starting capecitabine)
- Caution and monitor for effectiveness when capecitabine is given with proton-pump inhibitors; consider switching to an antacid
- Monitor closely with phenytoin; phenytoin dosage adjustment may be required
- Monitor INR in patients receiving warfarin; warfarin dosage adjustment may be required
Refer to capecitabine, bevacizumab drug monograph(s) for additional details.
Different bevacizumab products are not interchangeable.
Administration
Capecitabine:
- Clinical studies performed with capecitabine administered 30 minutes after food. Administering capecitabine on an empty stomach may result in slightly higher exposure and thus toxicity.
- If a capecitabine dose is missed, skip this and give the next dose at the usual time. Missed or omitted doses should not be replaced.
- Store tablets at 15ºC to 30ºC in the original package.
Bevacizumab:
- Bevacizumab infusions should not be administered or mixed with dextrose or glucose solutions due to potential for drug degradation.
- Mix in 100 mL bag NS. (Dilution should be 1.4 -16.5 mg/mL).
- Do not shake. Should not be mixed or diluted with other drugs.
- Compatible with PVC or polyolefin bags.
- DO NOT ADMINISTER AS AN IV PUSH OR BOLUS
- Infused over 90 minutes as loading dose, if tolerated next infusion can be given over 60 minutes; can thereafter be given over 30 minutes as maintenance dose
- Alternative infusion rates have been described by Mahfoud et al and Reidy et al, but these have not been approved by Health Canada
- Refrigerate unopened vials and protect from light; do not freeze.
Contraindications
- Patients with known hypersensitivity to bevacizumab, Chinese hamster ovary cell product, other recombinant human or humanized antibodies, capecitabine, its excipients, or 5-fluorouracil
- Patients with severe renal impairment (CrCl <30 mL/min)
- Patients with known near or complete absence of DPD (dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase) deficiency. Refer to the DPD Deficiency Guidance for Clinicians for more information.
- Concomitant use with sorivudine or related analogues (i.e. brivudine) (see Drug Interactions)
- Patients with untreated CNS metastases
- Patients with recurrent hemoptysis (>2.5ml), serious hemorrhage, or with squamous NSCLC
Precautions
- Capecitabine contains lactose and should not be used in patients with hereditary galactose/glucose/lactase disorders
- Patients with risk factors for dehydration, pre-existing renal dysfunction or on nephrotoxic agents
- Patients with partial DPD deficiency - use with extreme caution. Refer to the DPD Deficiency Guidance for Clinicians for more information.
- Patients with a history of arterial thromboembolism or significant cardiovascular disease or cardiac failure
- Patients with coagulopathies (congenital, acquired or therapeutic)
- Bevacizumab should not be initiated for at least 28 days following major surgery or until wound healing has occurred; hold for 28 days prior to major elective surgery
Pregnancy & lactation
- These drugs are not recommended for use in pregnancy. Adequate contraception (including at least 2 contraceptive methods) should be used by both sexes during treatment, and for at least 6 months after the last dose.
- Breastfeeding is not recommended.
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
- Blood pressure; Baseline and every 2-3 weeks during therapy; more frequently in patients who develop hypertension
- CBC; Baseline and at each visit
- Renal function tests; Baseline and at each visit
- Urine dipstick, 24 hour urine collection is recommended for patients with a 2+ or greater urine dipstick; Baseline and at each visit
- Dental evaluation; Baseline and as clinically indicated
- INR and/or PT; baseline and regular if on anticoagulants
- Clinical assessment of hypersensitivity, perforation, fistula, diarrhea, mucositis, dehydration, rash, hand-foot syndrome, ONJ, hemorrhage, infection, myelosuppression, thromboembolism, delayed wound healing, hypertension, neurologic and cardiac effects; At each visit
-
Grade toxicity using the current NCI-CTCAE (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events) version
Suggested Clinical Monitoring
- Cardiac function tests (Echo, RNA and/or MUGA scans) especially in patients who are close to the lifetime cumulative dose of anthracyclines/anthracenediones; baseline and as clinically indicated
- Liver function tests; baseline and regular (if severe organ failure suspected)
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Outpatient prescription for home administration (capecitabine)
Bevacizumab and capecitabine drug monographs, Cancer Care Ontario.
Cunningham D, Lang I, Marcuello E, et al. Bevacizumab plus capecitabine versus capecitabine alone in elderly patients with previously untreated metastatic colorectal cancer (AVEX): an open-label, randomised phase 3 trial. Lancet Oncol 2013;14(11):1077-85.
Giessen C, von Weikersthal LF, Hinke A, et al. A randomized, phase III trial of capecitabine plus bevacizumab (Cape-Bev) versus capecitabine plus irinotecan plus bevacizumab (CAPIRI-Bev) in first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer: the AIO KRK 0110 trial/ML22011 trial. BMC Cancer 2011;11:367.
April 2023 Updated DPD deficiency information in the Dosing and Special Precautions 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.
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