2168P - At-home infusion of immunotherapy for patients with solid tumors: First results from a single-centre program

Background

The use of immunotherapy (IO) has revolutionized cancer treatment, providing a growing number of patients with substantial benefits across multiple indications. Typically, IO is administered through intravenous infusion lasting a few hours in the outpatient clinic with infrequent occurrence of infusion-related reactions (IRRs). This study aims to determine the feasibility and convenience of administering IO in a home-based setting.

Methods

Starting from July 2021, the Hospital Clinic de Barcelona has provided patients with solid organ cancers undergoing monotherapy nivolumab, pembrolizumab or atezolizumab, the option to receive treatment at home. Patient participation was voluntary and required written informed consent. The aims of this research were to 1) collect clinical data of this experience, 2) report complications, and 3) assess patient satisfaction using the SATISFAD-10 questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used.

Results

The study enrolled 41 patients, 63% male with a mean age of 74 years. Of these, 56% had two or more comorbidities and 44% were fragile. All patients suffered from stage IV neoplasms, with non-small cell lung cancer (63%), small cell lung cancer (12%), and malignant melanoma (10%) being the most prevalent types. Pembrolizumab (49%), atezolizumab (27%), and nivolumab (24%) were the administered drugs, with peripheral line infusion (59%) and port-a-cath (39%) being the two common infusion routes. To date, 229 IO infusions have been administered (mean per patient: 5.6; range 1-24). At present, 22 patients still receive IO at home, while the others have been excluded due to changes in cancer treatment (47%), completed IO (10.5%), or death (26%). There have been no voluntary dropouts, and no IRR have occurred. Patients' satisfaction has been assessed every three months through the SATISFAD-10 questionnaire, with an average score of 29.7 points out of a maximum of 30, indicating high levels of satisfaction.

Conclusions

Home-based IO administration for patients with solid organ cancers appears to be a feasible and convenient option, with high patient satisfaction and a low incidence of IRR. Further research with a larger sample size may be required to confirm these findings.

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement

With the collaboration of BMS in the IO Comprehensive Home Care Project.

Legal entity responsible for the study

Hospital Clinic of Barcelona.

Funding

Has not received any funding.

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.