What is the Nordic Protocol? The very intense treatment Magda Szubanski will undergo to treat her stage 4 blood cancer – and why it’s ‘the best’

• Magda Szubanski is undergoing one of the best – yet most intense – treatments 
• The Australian comedian has been diagnosed with stage four blood cancer
• READ MORE: Magda’s health history 

By CINDY TRAN FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: 06:15 BST, 29 May 2025 | Updated: 07:07 BST, 29 May 2025

Magda Szubanski will undergo a specialised treatment known as the ‘Nordic protocol’ after being diagnosed with stage four blood cancer.

The Australian comedian revealed on Thursday that she had been diagnosed with stage four Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL) – a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer.

‘It’s serious, but I’ve started one of the best treatments available (the Nordic protocol),’ the 64-year-old Kath and Kim actress said. 

The Nordic protocol is a treatment regimen that works by shrinking tumours using  several intense doses of chemotherapy and immunotherapy drugs.

The treatment is administered in five phases with the aim of killing cancer cells, stopping their growth, encouraging the immune system to attack the cancer, and, ideally, assisting patients into long-term remission. 

The regimen – which earned its nickname due to clinical trials performed in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland – is also known by the technical name Maxi-CHOP.

Generally, patients undergo intensive chemotherapy, alternating cycles of Maxi-CHOP and high-dose Cytarabine (another chemo drug) every 21 days, for a total of six rounds. 

During the first five days of treatment, patients are required to take an oral medication called Prednisone – a white tablet that’s a type of steroid used to reduce inflammation and also help fight cancer.

Magda Szubanski has revealed she’s undergoing a specialised treatment known as the Nordic protocol after receiving a stage four blood cancer diagnosis

What is the Nordic protocol?

The Nordic protocol, also known as Maxi-CHOP, is a treatment regimen for Mantle Cell Lymphoma that works by shrinking tumours using a combination of drugs administered over five phases. 

The treatment is said to use several high doses of intensive drugs to kill cancer cells, stop their growth, help the immune system attack them and achieve long-term remission. 

What’s in the treatments?

Rituximab – helps your immune system find and destroy cancer cells

Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Vincristine – kill fast-growing cancer cells in different ways

Prednisone – a steroid that reduces inflammation and also helps fight cancer 

Cytarabine – another chemo drug that stops cancer cells from copying themselves

After a few rounds, the treatment enters its second phase, with healthy cells then collected from the blood for future transplantation.

The third phase involves stem cell purging, where an antibody drug called rituximab is administered that targets specific proteins on cancer cells, aiding the immune system.

During high-dose therapy, patients then undergo intensive chemotherapy to eradicate residual cancer cells.

That’s followed by the reinfusion of their purified stem cells to restore healthy bone marrow function.

If a relapse occurs, patients may be administered another dose of rituximab to prevent cancer from coming back.

The average age of diagnosis for MCL is between 60 and 65 years, with the condition being two to three times more common in men than in women.

The Australian comedian broke news to her fans that she had been diagnosed with stage 4 Mantle Cell Lymphoma – a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer

In a gut-wrenching post, the beloved comedian revealed she had been battling a rare and ‘fast-moving’ blood cancer.

‘I won’t sugar-coat it: it’s rough. But I’m hopeful. I’m being lovingly cared for by friends and family, my medical team is brilliant, and I’ve never felt more held by the people around me,’ she said. 

‘I’ll be lying very low while my immune system takes a hammering, so if you see me out and about – don’t hug me, kiss me, or breathe anywhere near me! Wave enthusiastically from a safe distance and know I love you madly.

‘This is an obscure cancer and was only discovered incidentally via a breast screen where they found my lymph nodes were up.’

The TV icon said she had been feeling pretty unwell for a while, so she decided to get extra blood tests as a precaution – but ending with this diagnosis.

‘So the take away is – get tested and listen to your body,’ she urged her fans.

‘For now, just know I’m in good hands, good spirits – but I reserve my yuman (sic) right to be a cranky old moll.

‘Love you all, Mags.’

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What is the Nordic Protocol? The very intense treatment Magda Szubanski will undergo to treat her stage 4 blood cancer – and why it’s ‘the best’

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