BC Cancer Protocol Summary for Neoadjuvant or Adjuvant Therapy for

Breast Cancer Using DOCEtaxel, CARBOplatin, and Trastuzumab

Protocol Code BRAJDCARBT

Tumour Group Breast
Contact Physician Dr. Susan Ellard

ELIGIBILITY:
 ECOG 0-1
 Node positive or high risk node negative, including patient with T1b disease (T1a still
requires CAP approval)
 HER-2 over-expression defined as either IHC3+, or FISH amplification ratio greater than or
equal to 2 per BC Cancer central laboratory
 Adequate renal and hepatic function
 Adequate hematological parameters (ANC greater than 1.5 x 109/L and platelets greater
than 100 x 109/L)
 No signs or symptoms of cardiac disease.
 LVEF greater than or equal to 50%*
* If the LVEF is between 45-50%, the oncologist may decide to treat based on clinical
assessment

EXCLUSIONS:
 ECOG 2-4
 Stage IV disease (please refer to advanced regimens)
 Significant hepatic dysfunction, contraindicating DOCEtaxel
 Significant cardiovascular disease and/or LVEF less than 50%; if initial reading is less than
50%, physician may consider repeating for validity, or assessing LVEF by the other
modality, e.g. echocardiogram instead of MUGA
 greater than or equal to grade 2 sensory or motor neuropathy
 Pregnancy or lactation

TESTS:
 Baseline: CBC & diff, platelets, bilirubin, GGT, ALT, LDH, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine,
(see Precaution #5 for guidelines regarding hepatic dysfunction and DOCEtaxel),
suggested: nuclear renogram for GFR (if available locally, and not previously done)
 Before each treatment cycle: CBC & diff, platelets, creatinine
 MUGA scan or echocardiogram: prior to first treatment with trastuzumab and every 3-4
months until completion of treatment per the discretion of the treating physician. The
maximum time between cardiac monitoring should be 4 months (see dose modification #2
for adjustment of trastuzumab based on changes in LVEF)
 If clinically indicated: bilirubin, GGT, ALT, LDH, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine, MUGA
scan or echocardiogram

BC Cancer Protocol Summary BRAJDCARBT Page 1 of 6

Activated: 1 Aug 2007 Revised: 1 Jan 2023 (Premedications and precautions updated)
Warning: The information contained in these documents are a statement of consensus of BC Cancer professionals regarding their views of currently accepted approaches to treatment. Any clinician seeking to
apply or consult these documents is expected to use independent medical judgement in the context of individual clinical circumstances to determine any patient's care or treatment. Use of these documents is at
your own risk and is subject to BC Cancer's terms of use available at www.bccancer.bc.ca/terms-of-use.
PREMEDICATIONS:
 dexemathasone 8 mg PO bid for 3 days, starting one day prior to each DOCEtaxel
administration. Patient must receive minimum of 3 doses pre-treatment.
 Antiemetic protocol for highly emetogenic chemotherapy protocols (see SCNAUSEA)
 DOCEtaxel-induced onycholysis and cutaneous toxicity of the hands may be prevented by
wearing frozen gloves starting 15 minutes before DOCEtaxel infusion until 15 minutes after end
of DOCEtaxel infusion; gloves should be changed after 45 minutes of wearing to ensure they
remain cold during the entire DOCEtaxel infusion.

TREATMENT:

Cycle 1 only
Drug Dose BC Cancer Administration Guideline
IV in 250 mL NS over 1 hour 30 min for Cycle 1
trastuzumab 8 mg/kg Observe for 1 hour post-infusion* then start
DOCEtaxel infusion
IV in 250 to 500 mL NS over 1 hour (use non-
DOCEtaxel 75 mg/m2
DEHP bag and non-DEHP)

CARBOplatin Dose = AUC 6 x (GFR + 25) In 100 to 250 mL NS over 30 minutes

Cycle 2 to 6
Drug Dose BC Cancer Administration Guideline
• IV in 250 mL NS over 1 hour on the second
dose, observe for 30 minutes post infusion*
trastuzumab 6 mg/kg • IV IN 250 ml NS over 30 min on all
subsequent doses if no adverse reactions,
observe for 30 min post infusion**
IV in 250 to 500 mL NS over 1 hour (use non-
DOCEtaxel 75 mg/m2
DEHP bag and non-DEHP)

CARBOplatin Dose = AUC 6 x (GFR + 25) In 100 to 250 mL NS over 30 minutes

*observation period not required after 3 consecutive treatments with no reaction

Measured GFR (e.g. nuclear renogram) is preferred whenever feasible, particularly in

circumstances of co-morbidity that could affect renal function (third-space fluid accumulations,
hypoproteinemia, potentially inadequate fluid intake, etc.). The lab reported GFR (MDRD
formula) may be used as an alternative to the Cockcroft-Gault estimate of GFR; the estimated
GFR reported by the lab or calculated using the Cockcroft-Gault equation should be capped at
125 mL/min when it is used to calculate the initial CARBOplatin dose. When a nuclear renogram
is available, this clearance would take precedence.
Cockcroft-Gault Formula

N* x (140 - age in years) x wt (kg)

GFR =
serum creatinine (micromol/L)

BC Cancer Protocol Summary BRAJDCARBT Page 2 of 6

Activated: 1 Aug 2007 Revised: 1 Jan 2023 (Premedications and precautions updated)
Warning: The information contained in these documents are a statement of consensus of BC Cancer professionals regarding their views of currently accepted approaches to treatment. Any clinician seeking to
apply or consult these documents is expected to use independent medical judgement in the context of individual clinical circumstances to determine any patient's care or treatment. Use of these documents is at
your own risk and is subject to BC Cancer's terms of use available at www.bccancer.bc.ca/terms-of-use.
Note: The same method of estimation should be used throughout the treatment course (i.e. if
lab reported GFR was used initially, this should be used for dosing in all subsequent cycles and
not the Cockcroft-Gault estimate).
For males N = 1.23, For females N = 1.04

 DOCEtaxel and CARBOplatin to be given every 21 days x 6 cycles.

 trastuzumab to be given every 21 days x 6 cycles, followed by single agent trastuzumab
(see BC Cancer protocol BRAJTR) to complete further 11 treatments (total 51 weeks or 17
doses)

Radiation:
For patients with indications for radiation, the radiation treatment should be given at the usual
time after the completion of the chemotherapy with the trastuzumab continued during the
radiation therapy. There has been no increased toxicity reported in the clinical trials at this time,
but there is no long term data; therefore, patients should be monitored. There have been no
studies of concurrent trastuzumab and internal mammary node radiation, so it is unclear at this
time whether there would be an enhanced risk of cardiotoxicity. If there is an anticipated need
for internal mammary node radiation, it may be helpful to discuss the overall treatment program
and timing with the treating radiation oncologist at the outset of chemotherapy.

DOSE MODIFICATIONS:
Doses are adjusted based on Day 1 counts and previous cycle febrile neutropenia. No dose
reduction for nadir counts. No reduction of trastuzumab dose for hematologic toxicity.

1. Hematological – DOCEtaxel and CARBOplatin

ANC Platelets All Chemotherapy Drugs Filgrastim (G-CSF) Option
(x 10 /L)
9
(x 10 /L)
9
% Dose of Previous Cycle
greater than and greater 100%
or equal to than or
1.5 equal to
100
1.0 to less and greater 75% 100% regimen
than 1.5 than or with G-CSF 300 mcg sc daily
equal to on Days 3-10
100 (adjust as needed)
less than 1.0 or less than Delay until ANC greater Delay until ANC greater than
100 than or equal to 1.5 and or equal to 1.5 and platelets
platelets greater than or greater than or equal to 100
equal to 100 then give 75% then give
100% regimen
with filgrastim 300 mcg sc
daily on Days 3-10
(adjust as needed)

BC Cancer Protocol Summary BRAJDCARBT Page 3 of 6

Activated: 1 Aug 2007 Revised: 1 Jan 2023 (Premedications and precautions updated)
Warning: The information contained in these documents are a statement of consensus of BC Cancer professionals regarding their views of currently accepted approaches to treatment. Any clinician seeking to
apply or consult these documents is expected to use independent medical judgement in the context of individual clinical circumstances to determine any patient's care or treatment. Use of these documents is at
your own risk and is subject to BC Cancer's terms of use available at www.bccancer.bc.ca/terms-of-use.
Febrile Neutropenia
Event Dose Reduction Option Filgrastim (G-CSF) Option
75% of previous cycle dose 100% regimen
if Day 1 ANC greater than or equal with filgrastim 300 mcg sc daily on
1st episode to 1.5 and platelets greater than or Days 3-10
equal to 100 (adjust as needed)

50% of original cycle dose 75% regimen

if Day 1 ANC greater than or equal with filgrastim 300 mcg sc daily on
2nd episode to 1.5 and platelets greater than or Days 3-10
equal to 100 (adjust as needed)

50% regimen
Discontinue protocol or switch to with filgrastim 300 mcg sc daily on
3rd episode Filgrastim (G-CSF) Option Days 3-10
(adjust as needed)

4th episode N/A Discontinue protocol

2. Cardiac Dysfunction

Asymptomatic Patients – Trastuzumab continuation based on serial LVEFs

Relationship of Absolute Absolute Absolute

LVEF to LLN Decrease Decrease Decrease
Of less than 10 Of 10 -15 points from Of greater than or
points from baseline baseline equal to 16 points
from baseline
Within Normal Limits Continue Continue Hold *
1-5 points below LLN Continue Hold * Hold *
greater than or equal Continue * Hold * Hold *
to 6 points below LLN

 *Repeat LVEF assessment after 3-4 weeks, consider cardiac assessment

 If criteria for continuation are met – resume trastuzumab
 If 2 consecutive holds or a total of 3 holds occur, discontinue trastuzumab

Symptomatic Patients
 Symptomatic patients with evidence of cardiac dysfunction should have trastuzumab
discontinued

For evidence of cardiac dysfunction likely related to trastuzumab and/or chemotherapy

protocols, consider consulting a cardiologist, or review the following reference:
Mackey JR, et al. Cardiac management during adjuvant trastuzumab therapy:
recommendations of the Canadian Trastuzumab Working Group. Curr Oncol 2008;15(1): 24-
31.

BC Cancer Protocol Summary BRAJDCARBT Page 4 of 6

Activated: 1 Aug 2007 Revised: 1 Jan 2023 (Premedications and precautions updated)
Warning: The information contained in these documents are a statement of consensus of BC Cancer professionals regarding their views of currently accepted approaches to treatment. Any clinician seeking to
apply or consult these documents is expected to use independent medical judgement in the context of individual clinical circumstances to determine any patient's care or treatment. Use of these documents is at
your own risk and is subject to BC Cancer's terms of use available at www.bccancer.bc.ca/terms-of-use.
3. Stomatitis: For Grade 3 or 4 stomatitis (painful erythema, edema or ulcers and cannot eat;
mucosal necrosis and/or requires enteral support; dehydration), delay chemotherapy until
recovered then give 75% dose of Day 1 of previous cycle. Maintain dose reduction for all
subsequent cycles. Continue trastuzumab without dose change even if
DOCEtaxel/CARBOplatin held.

4. Renal Dysfunction Use nuclear renogram or predictive formula to calculate cycle 1 dose,
as detailed above. Consider re-calculation of dose if serum creatinine changes + 20% from
baseline.

5. Treatment Interruptions – Trastuzumab

If an interruption in treatment of greater than 6 weeks occurs (ie more than 6 weeks has elapsed
since the last treatment was given), consider repeating the loading dose of 8 mg/kg, and then
resume usual dosing.

PRECAUTIONS:
1. Extravasation: DOCEtaxel causes pain and tissue necrosis if extravasated. Refer to BC
Cancer Extravasation Guidelines.
2. Febrile Neutropenia: DOCEtaxel containing adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer is
associated with an extreme risk of febrile neutropenia approaching 40% in real practice
settings, as reported in two outcome studies from Ontario. Thus, strong consideration
should be given to using prophylactic filgrastim. Febrile neutropenia rates with prophylactic
filgrastim are lower (5-7%) making this the safer option. Fever or other evidence of infection
must be assessed promptly and treated aggressively.
3. Cardiac Toxicity: Clinical cardiac assessment is required if cardiac function is equivocal at
baseline, or if symptoms of possible CHF develop on trastuzumab, and recommended at
any time if clinically indicated with a formal evaluation of LVEF (MUGA scan or ECHO).
4. Fluid Retention (DOCEtaxel): Dexamethasone premedication must be given to reduce
incidence and severity of fluid retention with DOCEtaxel.
5. Hepatic Dysfunction (DOCEtaxel): DOCEtaxel undergoes hepatic metabolism. Hepatic
dysfunction (particularly signaled by elevated AST) may lead to increased toxicity and
usually requires a dose reduction. Baseline liver enzymes are recommended before cycle 1
and then if clinically indicated (e.g., repeat liver enzymes prior to each treatment if liver
enzymes are elevated or there is severe toxicity such as neutropenia). Note: this information
is intended to provide guidance but physicians must use their clinical judgment when making
decisions regarding monitoring and dose adjustments. See Cancer Drug Manual.
6. Hypersensitivity reactions to DOCEtaxel are common but it is not necessary to routinely
initiate the infusion slowly. If slow initiation of infusion is needed, start infusion at 30 mL/h x
5 minutes, then 60 mL/h x 5 minutes, then 120 mL/h x 5 minutes, then complete infusion at
250 mL/h (for 500 mL bag, continue 250 mL/h for 5 minutes and then complete infusion at
500 mL/h). Refer to BC Cancer Hypersensitivity Guidelines.
Alternative therapy with protocol BRAJPNCT is available for moderate to severe
hypersensitivity reaction that occurs despite premedications, or in those patients who cannot
be managed with premedications due to a strong contraindication.
7. Interstitial pneumonitis (DOCEtaxel) may occur. Risk may be increased with radiation
therapy.
8. Trastuzumab infusion-associated symptoms, usually chills and fever, occur in 40% of
patients during the first trastuzumab infusion (infrequent with subsequent infusions). Other
signs and symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, pain (sometimes at tumour sites), rigors,
headache, dizziness, dyspnea, hypotension, rash and asthenia. Symptoms may be treated

BC Cancer Protocol Summary BRAJDCARBT Page 5 of 6

Activated: 1 Aug 2007 Revised: 1 Jan 2023 (Premedications and precautions updated)
Warning: The information contained in these documents are a statement of consensus of BC Cancer professionals regarding their views of currently accepted approaches to treatment. Any clinician seeking to
apply or consult these documents is expected to use independent medical judgement in the context of individual clinical circumstances to determine any patient's care or treatment. Use of these documents is at
your own risk and is subject to BC Cancer's terms of use available at www.bccancer.bc.ca/terms-of-use.
 with acetaminophen, diphenhydrAMINE and meperidine with or without an infusion rate
reduction.
Rarely, serious infusion-related reactions have been reported (3 per 1000 patients)
sometimes leading to death (4 per 10,000). Reactions include dyspnea, hypotension,
wheezing, bronchospasm, tachycardia, reduced oxygen saturation and respiratory distress,
and, uncommonly, allergic-like reactions. For serious reactions, discontinue the trastuzumab
infusion and provide supportive therapy such as oxygen, beta-agonists and corticosteroids.
9. A possible interaction between warfarin and trastuzumab has been reported. An
increased INR and bleeding may occur in patients previously stabilized on warfarin. The
interaction was noted in two patients after 8-10 doses of trastuzumab. An INR prior to
starting the trastuzumab is recommended, then every 2 weeks for the first 3 months and
then monthly if stable. Inform patient to watch for any bleeding. Modification of the warfarin
dose may be needed.
10. CNS Metastases on Adjuvant Trastuzumab: Patients with HER-2/neu over-expression
have been observed to have a higher than usual risk of developing CNS metastases. The
CNS is a sanctuary site, unreached by most adjuvant systemic agents. There is little or no
data to guide physicians in the circumstance of a patient developing isolated CNS
metastasis while on adjuvant therapy with a trastuzumab-containing regimen. Aggressive
local therapy (whole brain radiation with or without surgical resection) has resulted in some
durable remissions. The Breast Tumour Group supports resection of metastases and CNS
radiation if feasible for patients who develop limited and isolated CNS metastases while on
an adjuvant trastuzumab regimen. A metastatic survey should be done to determine the
best systemic management plan. Completion of the adjuvant course of trastuzumab, or
continuing beyond the adjuvant course (changing to BRAVTR regimen) due to concern for
occult systemic metastases is at the discretion of the treating oncologist and dependent on
the individual circumstances.

Contact Dr. Susan Ellard or tumour group delegate at (250) 712-3900 or 1-888-563-7773
with any problems or questions regarding this treatment program.

References:
1. Slamon D, Eiermann W, Robert N, et al. Phase III randomized trial comparing doxorubicin and
cyclophosphamide followed by docetaxel (AC→T) with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide followed
by docetaxel and trastuzumab (AC→TH) with docetaxel, carboplatin and trastuzumab (TCH) in HER2
positive early breast cancer patients: BCIRG 006 study. San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium
2005. Available at: http://www.abstracts2view.com/sabcs05/view.php?nu=SABCS05L_921. Accessed
31 July 2007.
2. Perez A, Rodeheffer R. Clinical Cardiac Tolerability of Trastuzumab. J Clin Oncol 2004;22:322-329.
3. Vandenberg, T, Younus, J, and Al-Hkayyat S. Febrile neutropenia rates with adjuvant docetaxel and
cyclophophamide chemotherapy in early breast cancer: discrepancy between published reports and
community practice – a retrospective analysis. Curr Oncol 2010 April; 17(2):2-3.
4. Soong, D et al. High rate of febrile neutropenia in patients with operable breast cancer receiving
docetaxel and cyclophosphamide. JCO 2009, 27(26): 101-2.
5. Chan, A. et al. Impact of colony-stimulating factors to reduce febrile neutropenic events in breast
cancer patients receiving docetaxel plus cyclophosphamide chemotherapy. Supp Care Cancer 2011,
19: 497-504.
6. Jones S. et al. Docetaxel with cyclophosphamide is associated with an overall survival benefit
compared with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide: 7-year follow-up of US Oncology Research Trial
9735. JCO 2009, 27(8):1177-83.

BC Cancer Protocol Summary BRAJDCARBT Page 6 of 6

Activated: 1 Aug 2007 Revised: 1 Jan 2023 (Premedications and precautions updated)
Warning: The information contained in these documents are a statement of consensus of BC Cancer professionals regarding their views of currently accepted approaches to treatment. Any clinician seeking to
apply or consult these documents is expected to use independent medical judgement in the context of individual clinical circumstances to determine any patient's care or treatment. Use of these documents is at
your own risk and is subject to BC Cancer's terms of use available at www.bccancer.bc.ca/terms-of-use.