Subcutaneous (SC) administration of trastuzumab and pertuzumab (HP) significantly reduces the time burden for patients with HER2-positive breast cancer compared to intravenous (IV) administration, according to a recent study presented at ASCO. The time and motion substudy of the ADEPT trial (NCT04569747) demonstrated that SC administration shortened patient time in the treatment chair by over an hour, offering a more efficient and patient-friendly treatment experience.
The study enrolled 22 patients with stage I HER2-positive breast cancer who received two cycles of IV HP followed by two cycles of SC HP. Researchers meticulously tracked time points in drug preparation and administration to compare the two methods. The primary endpoint was the total time patients spent in the treatment chair.
The results showed a significant reduction in treatment chair time with SC administration. Patients spent an average of 22.5 minutes in the chair with SC HP compared to 84.3 minutes with IV HP, a difference of 61.8 minutes (P<0.0001). Total patient treatment experience time, which includes waiting time, was also significantly shorter with SC administration, averaging 96 minutes versus 177.8 minutes for IV administration (P<0.0001). Pharmacy workflow time was similarly reduced, from 119.2 minutes for IV to 41 minutes for SC (P<0.0001).
"SC administration of HP shortened patient time burden by approximately 1 hour," the researchers concluded. They emphasized that SC drug administration can facilitate faster workflows for healthcare professionals and improve patients' breast cancer treatment experience. This shift could lead to improved patient satisfaction and resource allocation in oncology clinics.
