OnCo

CEM (carboplatin, etoposide, melphalan) high-dose conditioning

Checked 2026-09-09

High-dose chemotherapy before autologous stem cell rescue in high-risk neuroblastoma, the Children's Oncology Group standard compared against BuMel in HR-NBL1

Also called CEM.

One cycle

weekly × 1 · about 1 weeks in total
1234567Carboplatin: dosed to renal function (target AUC) daily for four days, IntravenousCarboplatinEtoposide: 338 mg/m² daily for four days, IntravenousEtoposideMelphalan: 70 mg/m² daily for three days, IntravenousMelphalan
7-day cycle × 1 (about 1 weeks)Intravenous

Components

DrugDoseRouteDays
Carboplatin
Cytotoxic chemotherapy (platinum)
dosed to renal function (target AUC) daily for four daysIVD1-4
Etoposide
Topoisomerase II inhibitor (podophyllotoxin derivative)
338 mg/m² daily for four daysIVD1-4
Melphalan
Alkylating agent (nitrogen mustard)
70 mg/m² daily for three daysIVD1-3
Cycles
1
7-day cycle
Emetogenicity
High (>90%)
G-CSF
Built into the protocol

Notes

  • In HR-NBL1 CEM was inferior to BuMel on event-free survival and caused more severe toxicity; it remains in use in some North American protocols.

Used in

Source

Ladenstein (HR-NBL1/SIOPEN), Lancet Oncology 2017: busulfan and melphalan versus CEM

Reference doses for a typical adult from the cited protocol or label. Doses are adjusted for renal and hepatic function, age, performance status and prior toxicity, and institutional protocols vary. Verify against the current label and your local protocol before treating. Not medical advice.

Other regimens for these cancers