PH FDC SC was associated with significant time savings for both patients and healthcare providers. The transition to SC administration unlocked 2468.25 clinical hours annually, translating into notable indirect cost reductions through optimized resource utilization and improved operational efficiency compared with IV administration.
This phase II study showed that neoadjuvant chemotherapy with T + scH resulted in pCR of 53%, surpassing the planned cutoff for success of 40%. This is comparable with the rates and other efficacy end points that follow data from phase II international trials. This regimen may be useful in the absence of pertuzumab and warrants further investigation.
No significant predictors of adherence were identified.ConclusionAdherence to subcutaneous trastuzumab was generally high; however, structural and symptom-related barriers persist. Targeted measures, including structured adherence support is needed to optimize treatment continuity.
The study met the co-primary endpoints of non-inferiority of cycle 7 serum Ctrough for pertuzumab and trastuzumab for PH FDC SC vs. P + H IV. tpCR rates and safety were comparable between arms. PH FDC SC may be a viable treatment option for Chinese patients with HER2-positive eBC.
In a routine public oncology setting with limited resources, the use of SC trastuzumab was associated with clear advantages in terms of efficiency and the treatment experience while also mitigating the workload of infusion areas. These results provide practical, context-specific evidence that could help healthcare systems to improve the organization of oncology services and make better use of scarce hospital resources.
While service delivery (manpower, facility, consumables) and productivity loss remained cheaper in home care, drug cost is the dominant factor of overall expenditure in trastuzumab delivery. At current drug prices, outpatient IV trastuzumab administration is the cost-saving option, compared with home care SC trastuzumab.