2.2.1 Children Eligible for Chemotherapy Administration in a POGO Satellite Clinic

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Eligibility criteria for chemotherapy administration in a POGO Satellite Clinic include:

1. Children who have had a specific diagnosis established and whose treatment has been started on a defined protocol.
2. It is strongly suggested that all patients referred to a POGO Satellite Clinic have Central Venous Catheter (CVC) access to allow the safe administration of chemotherapy, particularly agents known to be vesicants. Difficulty with peripheral venous access is a contraindication to delivery of IV chemotherapy in a POGO Satellite Clinic. Early conversations and upfront agreement between the specialized childhood cancer program and POGO Satellite Clinic are required prior to referral of patients without CVC access for chemotherapy administration in a POGO Satellite Clinic.
3. For leukemia patients, eligibility for chemotherapy administration is contingent on evidence of bone marrow recovery from induction therapy. Note: For some families and under special circumstances, exceptions have been made to refer patients on acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) therapy to a POGO Satellite Clinic during induction therapy. Early discussions and agreement between the specialized childhood cancer program and POGO Satellite Clinic and mutual comfort would be required on a case-by-case basis.
4. Chemotherapy administered in POGO Satellite Clinics should be short-duration infusions. Therapy that requires pre- or post-hydration should be feasible within regular clinic hours.
5. Pediatric oncology patients requiring selected chemotherapy agents according to a specified route listed in Sub-Section 2.3 Scope of POGO Satellite Clinic Practice. The POGO Satellite Clinic must have adequate expertise to administer the agent and monitor for toxicity, and with the agreement of the specialized childhood cancer program.
6. Children receiving oral chemotherapy started in the specialized childhood cancer program may have these agents continued in a POGO Satellite Clinic. Furthermore, POGO Satellite Clinics may renew and adjust doses of oral chemotherapies such as corticosteroids, mercaptopurine and methotrexate in consultation and agreement with the referring specialized childhood cancer program.
7. Early consultation between the specialized childhood cancer program and POGO Satellite Clinic, with agreement of the POGO Satellite Clinic upfront, is required prior to referral of patients requiring chemotherapy not included in the table Chemotherapy Agents That Can Currently be Administered in the POGO Satellite Clinics (below).
8. As new chemotherapy agents become available and are used on protocol, their toxicities and their appropriateness for use in the POGO Satellite Clinics will be evaluated. New agents may then be added to the table Chemotherapy Agents That Can Currently be Administered in the POGO Satellite Clinics and suitable knowledge transfer undertaken.
9. POGO Satellite Clinics must have appropriate policies and agents available to manage acute toxicities such as allergy and extravasation.

Chemotherapy Agents That Can Currently be Administered in the POGO Satellite Clinics*

Note: All FIRST doses of chemotherapy agents should be administered in the referring specialized childhood cancer program.

Drug	Route(s)	Special Considerations	Reference
Arsenic	IV	Planned monitoring of electrolytes and ECGs should be discussed prior with the referring specialized childhood cancer program. Per-patient drug reimbursement via NDFP.	OH (CCO) monograph
Bleomycin	IV	Pulmonary function should be monitored by referring specialized childhood cancer program.	OH (CCO) monograph
Carboplatin	IV	Close monitoring required for infusional reactions. Infusional reaction management (including pre-medication and extended infusion times) should be discussed with referring specialized childhood cancer program.	OH (CCO) monograph
Crisantaspase (Rylaze) Asparaginase	IM	Platelet count must be >20,000 for IM administration. Be aware of increased risk of allergic reaction. Requires post-administration observation. See Sub-Section 3.7.5 Crisantaspase (Rylaze) Asparaginase for module. Per-vial reimbursement via NDFP.	OH (CCO) monograph
Cyclophosphamide2	IV/PO	POGO Satellite Clinic-administered doses should be capped at 1,200mg/m2/dose. Dose/protocol-specific pre- and post-hydration should be discussed prior with the referring specialized childhood cancer program.	OH (CCO) monograph
Cytarabine (Cytosine Arabinoside)	IV/SC	POGO Satellite Clinic-administered doses should be capped at 100mg/m2/dose.	OH (CCO) monograph
Dacarbazine	IV		OH (CCO) monograph
Dactinomycin (actinomycin)	IV1		OH (CCO) monograph
Daunorubicin	IV1	Echocardiogram (ECHO) monitoring is the responsibility of the referring specialized childhood cancer program. ECHOs performed at the POGO Satellite Clinic require review by a Pediatric Cardiologist.	OH (CCO) monograph
Doxorubicin (adriamycin)	IV1	Echocardiogram (ECHO) monitoring is the responsibility of the referring specialized childhood cancer program. ECHOs performed at the POGO Satellite Clinic require review by a Pediatric Cardiologist.	OH (CCO) monograph
Erwinia Asparaginase	IV/IM	Platelet count must be >20,000 for IM administration. Be aware of increased risk of allergic reaction. Requires post-administration observation. See Sub-Section 3.7.4 Erwinia Asparaginase for module. Per-vial reimbursement via NDFP.	OH (CCO) monograph
Etoposide	IV/PO	Close monitoring required for infusional reactions.	OH (CCO) monograph
Irinotecan	IV/PO	Management plan for irinotecan-induced diarrhea should be initially explained by the referring specialized childhood cancer program and reinforced by POGO Satellite Clinic teams. See Sub-Section 3.7.2 Provider Guide: Prevention and Management of Irinotecan-Induced Diarrhea for irinotecan-induced diarrhea management.	OH (CCO) monograph
Methotrexate	IV/IM	May be given as fixed dose or escalated as per protocol. See Sub-Section 3.7.3 Capizzi Methotrexate for algorithm.	OH (CCO) monograph
Nelarabine	IV	POGO Satellite Clinics and specialized childhood cancer programs should review risk of potential neurotoxicity. POGO Satellite Clinic administration dependent upon drug reimbursement strategy.	OH (CCO) monograph
Topotecan	IV		OH (CCO) monograph
Vinblastine	IV1	Ensure constipation is managed prior to administration.	OH (CCO) monograph
Vincristine	IV1	Ensure constipation is managed prior to administration.	OH (CCO) monograph
Vinorelbine	IV1	Ensure constipation is managed prior to administration. Protocol for post-infusion line flushing should be discussed prior with referring specialized childhood cancer program.	OH (CCO) monograph

*Check individual patient’s protocol road map for special considerations and monitoring requirements. Developed November 1994. Revised: April 1998, May 2001, October 2001, May 2002, December 2006, March 2015, February 2022, March 2024.

¹Vesicant; ensure procedures and resources for extravasation are available (refer to Sub-Section 3.3. Extravasation Management).
²Administration of cyclophosphamide may require an 8-hour day. If the POGO Satellite Clinic is not able to provide 8-hour monitoring, cyclophosphamide should not be delivered. The ordering physician should also be available to respond to calls as appropriate.

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Record of Updates

Version Number	Date of Effect	Summary of Revisions
2	3/8/2024	Revised version posted.