An appraisal of subcutaneous trastuzumab: a new formulation meeting clinical needs.

Trastuzumab has deeply and radically changed the course of HER2-positive breast cancer disease. The recent development of a subcutaneous (SC) formulation of trastuzumab is an important step towards improved patients' care. SC trastuzumab at a fixed dose of 600 mg administered every 3 weeks for about 5 min provides a valid alternative to the IV, both in terms of efficacy and safety. This results in substantial time savings for patients, pharmacists, physicians and nursing staff, with a healthcare professionals' and patients' preference largely going to SC. In addition, the possibility to treat patients with poor venous access or to spare patients' venous capital when necessary may also be of interest.