Latest news

Protocols recently updated

• ID 282 Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma locally advanced definitive cARBOplatin and fluorouracil chemoradiation - Indications updated to "Chemoradiation for locally advanced stage I to III p-16-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (excluding T1-T2 with a single lymph node under 3 cm) and stage III and IV SCC of p16-negative oropharynx, hypopharynx, larynx and oral cavity, in patients with performance status of 0 to 2"
• ID 3674 Nasopharyngeal locally advanced ciSplatin and gemcitabine (induction) - Indications updated to "Locally advanced stage III or IVa non-keratinising nasopharyngeal cancer in patients with performance status of 0 to 1"
• ID 4363 Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma recurrent or metastatic cARBOplatin PACLitaxel and pembrolizumab - Interim status removed. Evidence updated with results from Dzienis et al 2024.
• ID 1919 Thyroid locally advanced or metastatic leNVAtinib - Treatment schedule note added "As per reference committee consensus elderly patients or patients with significant comorbidities should be considered for a lower lenvatinib starting dose of 14 mg ONCE a day."
• ID 284 Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma locally advanced definitive cetuximab chemoradiation SUPERSEDED - Caution added "Studies have reported an increased severity of toxicities". Toxicity section references updated demonstrating increased severity of toxicities.

Protocols recently updated to 'as required review'

Read more about as required review protocol status in this factsheet.

• ID 291 Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma locally advanced definitive ciSplatin (three weekly) chemoradiation
• ID 292 Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma locally advanced definitive ciSplatin (weekly) chemoradiation
• ID 283 Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma locally advanced post operative cARBOplatin (weekly) chemoradiation SUPERSEDED
• ID 287 Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma locally advanced post operative ciSplatin (weekly) chemoradiation
• ID 1208 Nasopharyngeal locally advanced adjuvant cARBOplatin and fluorouracil (following chemoradiation) SUPERSEDED

Protocols recently discontinued

• ID 3555 Advanced or metastatic nivolumab (weight based dosing) SUPERSEDED - Head and neck indication and evidence section discontinued due to the availability of superior alternatives.

This webinar will showcase Module 1 of the new Radiation Oncology Nursing Course

 

This new course will provide foundation level education for nurses working in radiation oncology and support development of the knowledge and clinical skills required to safely care for patients receiving radiation therapy.

The webinar will cover:

• Introduction to the course, its structure and delivery options
• Overview of module 1
• Timelines for launch the remainder of the course
• Implementation support for facilitators

Find out more opens in a new tab or window

We're recruiting for a full time permanent position, eviQ Content Author - Nursing (Medical oncology) role.

The role is advertised on the following sites: 

•                NSW Health Careers: eviQ Content Author - Nurse - NSW Health Careers

•                iWorkforNSW:  eviQ Content Author Nurse

Please see the advertisement and the role description for information about this position and instructions on how to to apply. This role is Sydney-based. 

For role related queries, contact Aisling Kelly at aisling.kelly@health.nsw.gov.au 

Applications close 11:59pm Monday 14 April 2025

Sitewide protocol updates

Content area: All immunotherapy protocols

Details: In all relevant immunotherapy protocols the patient information side-effect "Hormone problems" has been updated to include "..and increased risk of diabetes (requiring insulin therapy)".

Content area: All medical oncology protocols

Details: Changes have been made to the vaccination clinical information, interactions and patient information across multiple protocols. 

• Immunotherapy protocols now state in the clinical information section: "Live vaccines are not recommended. Caution is advised with inactivated vaccines, particularly the influenza vaccine," in line with the Australian Immunisation Handbook.
• Non-immunotherapy protocols now include in the clinical information section: "Possible suboptimal response to inactivated vaccines" after the vaccination block was removed from the general interaction section. 
• Patient Information – Medications and vaccinations section now advises patients to consult their oncologist before receiving any vaccinations.

These updates have not been individually recorded in protocols.

 

Protocol administration section updates

Content areas: Haematology/Medical Oncology

Details: eviQ is continuing to update how information is presented in the administration section of treatment protocols. We are reviewing and updating the content following an extensive review of resources, including the Australian product information, Australian Injectable Drugs Handbook (AIDH), European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) guidelines. We have standardised the order of information and added more headings to improve clarity, making finding the information you need easier.

This is to ensure eviQ administration sections are up to date and aligned with current practice and to improve user readability by displaying information logically, clearly and consistently.

If you notice any variance or discrepancies, please refer to these resources initially, for outstanding queries let us know via feedback@eviq.org.au.

Specific updates include: 

• New headings
• IV Line information updated to align with the product information and the Australian Injectable Drugs handbook, 9th Edition (AIDH) opens in a new tab or window
• Drug Information - Infusion-related reaction (IRR) information updated to align with specific Australian product information opens in a new tab or window and the Management of Infusion Reactions to Systemic Anticancer Therapy: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines opens in a new tab or window

 

Clinical resources recently updated

• ID 420 Oesophagitis - title updated from "Oesophagitis (radiation-induced) to "Oesophagitis", readability of document improved
• ID 421 Proctitis - title updated from "Management of radiation induced proctitis" to "Proctitis", readability of document improved, extra links included in patient information and assessment, indication, prevention and treatment sections updated
• ID 1772 Osteoradionecrosis of the jaw - new signs and symptoms added, readability of document improved, new reference included
• ID 430 Cardiac implantable electronic device management during radiation therapy - readability of document improved
• ID 3535 Management of high-dose methotrexate toxicity - glucarpidase drug cost and access details updated, link to 'Life saving drug register (LSDR)' added.

Expressions of interest are invited for two eviQ Medical Oncology Reference Committee co-chairs positions.

All applicants must be current members of the eviQ Medical Oncology Reference Committee and must have attended at least one previous relevant reference committee meeting.

These positions have a total term of 4 years (an initial 2-year term and an automatic renewal for an additional 2 years, contingent upon the clinician's decision to continue in the position).

The responsibilities of the co-chair role, per the Terms of Reference for eviQ reference committees, are as follows:

• chair reference committee meetings to ensure the eviQ governance process is followed
• ensure effective and open discussion relevant to content being presented at reference committee meetings and summarise an outcome for each agenda item following discussion
• work in collaboration with eviQ content authors to ensure accurate documentation of the main points of discussion
• participate in the prioritisation of content review and new content development
• support digital review of content outside of reference committee meetings
• represent reference committee members at annual eviQ all-chairs meetings
• provide a rapid response to time-sensitive issues identified by eviQ.

In addition:

• all eviQ reference committees require attendance of the chairs to facilitate each meeting
• all chairs must be practising clinicians within the area they are chairing
• chairs do not hold final responsibility of content developed – this is attributed to the reference committee as a whole.

To express interest in serving as a eviQ Medical Oncology Reference Committee co-chair, please email a current CV to feedback@eviq.org.au by COB Wednesday 30 April 2025. Applicants also require a recommendation (this can be in the form of a brief email) from a current reference committee member to be sent with your CV.

Reference committee members are also invited to nominate another reference committee member (with their consent) and provide a reference/reason for nomination. The nominee will then need to submit a current CV to feedback@eviq.org.au

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact any of the eviQ content authors (feedback@eviq.org.au), the current co-chairs, A/Prof Hao-Wen Sim (hao-wen.sim@sydney.edu.au), A/Prof Peter Grimison  (peter.grimison@lh.org.au) or Dr Brett Hamilton (Brett.hamilton@awh.org.au).

Documents recently updated

• ID 3535 Management of high-dose methotrexate toxicity - glucarpidase drug cost and access details updated, link to 'Life saving drug register (LSDR)' added.

​We are proud to share that a suite of three papers on the International Consensus Guideline for Anticancer Drug Dosing in Kidney Dysfunction (ADDIKD) is now published and available in the eClinicalMedicine journal.

Congratulations to all the authors involved in bringing this important work to fruition.

You can access the papers freely via the links below:

1. A methodology for determining dosing recommendations for anticancer drugs in patients with reduced kidney function
   https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589537025000331 opens in a new tab or window
2. Aligning kidney function assessment in patients with cancer to global practices in internal medicine
   https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589537025000343 opens in a new tab or window
3. Integrating International Consensus Guidelines for Anticancer Drug Dosing in Kidney Dysfunction (ADDIKD) into everyday practice
   https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589537025000938 opens in a new tab or window

Content areas: Haematology/Medical Oncology

Details: eviQ is continuing to update how information is presented in the administration section of treatment protocols. We are reviewing and updating the content following an extensive review of resources, including the Australian product information, Australian Injectable Drugs Handbook (AIDH), European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) guidelines. We have standardised the order of information and added more headings to improve clarity, making finding the information you need easier.

This is to ensure eviQ administration sections are up to date and aligned with current practice and to improve user readability by displaying information logically, clearly and consistently.

If you notice any variance or discrepancies, please refer to these resources initially, for outstanding queries let us know via feedback@eviq.org.au.

Specific updates include: 

• New headings
• IV Line information updated to align with the product information and the Australian Injectable Drugs handbook, 9th Edition (AIDH) opens in a new tab or window
• Drug Information - Infusion-related reaction (IRR) information updated to align with specific Australian product information opens in a new tab or window and the Management of Infusion Reactions to Systemic Anticancer Therapy: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines opens in a new tab or window

We're recruiting for a full time (24 month) fixed term contract eviQ Content Author - Pharmacist (Haematology/BMT) role.

The role is advertised on the following sites: 

•                NSW Health Careers: eviQ Content Author - Pharmacist - NSW Health Careers

•                iWorkforNSW:  Eviq Content Author Pharmacist

Please see the advertisement and the role description for information about this position and instructions on how to to apply. This role is Sydney-based. 

For role related queries, contact Julia Shingleton at julia.shingleton@health.nsw.gov.au. 

Applications close 11:59pm Monday 7 April 2025