Is Herceptin® (trastuzumab) by subcutaneous a mini revolution? Pharmaco-economic study

Herceptin (R) injected by intravenous (IV) is one of the key treatment of breast cancer HER2+. The improvement of galenic form allowed a new way of administration, the sub-cutaneous way (SC), authorized by EMEA in 2013. This new way enables a 5-minute infusion, a fixed dose and a fixed volume of preparation. On 2012, saving-time and financial impacts were calculated by extrapolation of the IV way in a cancer treatment center. The study showed a preparing time-saving of 7.5 min/loading dose and of 6.5 min/maintenance dose, and a nurse time-saving of 4.5 min/loading dose and 4.25 min/maintenance dose. Moreover, it can be added a saving of consumable of 13,31(sic) per injection in case of monotherapy. The SC leads to a new adaptation and reorganization in the preparation of monoclonal antibodies and day hospitals.