Drivers for SubQ Interest in Oncology Practices and Clinic Workflow Changes

Drivers for SubQ Adoption and Workflow Changes

Multiple drivers support the adoption of subcutaneous checkpoint inhibitors in oncology practice beyond operational efficiency. Findings from studies demonstrate superior patient-reported quality of life with subcutaneous administration, and patients report feeling less like “cancer patients” with quick injections compared with lengthy infusion center visits. The cumulative waiting time across multiple touchpoints—check-in, laboratory, provider visits, chair assignment, medication preparation, and infusion—represents significant time toxicity that subcutaneous formulations can substantially reduce. Patients appreciate the sense of control and normalcy, with one describing the experience as just getting a quick injection rather than the emotional weight of sitting in an infusion chair.

Institutional implementation strategies vary but focus on creating efficient workflows. Large cancer centers are developing dedicated injection rooms or quick bays specifically for subcutaneous checkpoint inhibitors, bypassing traditional infusion center queues that can involve 45- to 60-minute wait times for chair assignment alone. Some practices are implementing point-of-care administration, where patients receive subcutaneous injections immediately after seeing their oncologist in the examination room, eliminating multiple departmental transitions. This approach proves particularly valuable for patients on maintenance monotherapy or adjuvant treatment who are not receiving combination chemotherapy, allowing them to integrate treatment into their daily routines with minimal disruption.

Innovative care delivery models are emerging to maximize the benefits of subcutaneous formulations. Home-based cancer care programs are incorporating subcutaneous checkpoint inhibitors into comprehensive home treatment protocols, with wraparound services including nursing staff, central command centers, paramedic dispatch capability, and home laboratory services. Patient feedback from home-based subcutaneous immunotherapy trials has been overwhelmingly positive, with many patients preferring to continue home treatment rather than return to clinic-based care. These models hold particular promise for expanding access to underserved populations in rural or remote areas, potentially transforming how oncology care reaches patients who face significant geographic barriers to traditional cancer center–based treatment.