(PRESTO) PHYSICIAN REASONS FOR SUBCUTANEOUS ANTI-HER2 OPT-IN: FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH PHYSICIANS’ PREFERENCE IN USING SUBCUTANEOUS FORMULATION OF ANTI-HER2 TREATMENT IN PERSONS WITH BREAST CANCER
Author(s)
Frederic Ivan Ting, MD1, John Paul Vergara, MD2, Kenny Jun Demegillo, MD3, Kitchie Antipuesto, MD4, Maria Luisa Abesamis-Tiambeng, MD4.
1Section of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Dr. Pablo O. Torre Memorial Hospital, Bacolod City, Philippines, 2Section of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital, Manila, Philippines, 3Section of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, San Juan De Dios Hospital, Pasay City, Philippines, 4Section of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Cardinal Santos Medical Center, San Juan City, Philippines.
1Section of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Dr. Pablo O. Torre Memorial Hospital, Bacolod City, Philippines, 2Section of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital, Manila, Philippines, 3Section of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, San Juan De Dios Hospital, Pasay City, Philippines, 4Section of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Cardinal Santos Medical Center, San Juan City, Philippines.
OBJECTIVES: Breast cancer is the leading malignancy among Filipino women, with HER2-positive disease accounting for approximately 23.5% of cases. While HER2-targeted therapies have significantly improved survival, subcutaneous (SC) formulations were developed to enhance convenience and healthcare efficiency over traditional intravenous (IV) administration. However, local data on physician preference and the operational impact of SC therapy remain limited.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study surveyed Filipino medical oncologists from December 2025 to January 2026. Respondents were recruited through the Philippine Society of Medical Oncology via email invitations and purposive sampling during professional meetings. The validated questionnaire collected demographic data, treatment practices, physician preferences, direct cost in terms of drug costs, chair / administration time, medical oncologist’s time, and factors influencing formulation choice. Descriptive statistics summarized responses, and comparisons between SC and IV indirect costs were analyzed using nonparametric tests.
RESULTS: A total of 402 oncologists participated (response rate 82%). Most respondents were PSMO fellows (77%), practiced in private institutions (65%), and were based in the National Capital Region (72%). Nearly all (99%) preferred SC over IV anti-HER2 therapy. Direct drug acquisition costs were comparable, with SC regimens slightly less expensive. SC administration significantly reduced median treatment administration time (60 vs. 150 minutes) and healthcare professional time (35 vs. 70 minutes) (p < .001), while allowing more patients to be treated per day (mean 42 vs. 12). Leading preference factors were time savings, increased infusion capacity, patient convenience, reduced patient stress, and patient weight.
CONCLUSIONS: SC anti-HER2 therapy is strongly preferred by Filipino medical oncologists and offers significant workflow advantages, including reduced treatment time and improved care capacity. Wider adoption may enhance oncology service efficiency while maintaining comparable treatment costs.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study surveyed Filipino medical oncologists from December 2025 to January 2026. Respondents were recruited through the Philippine Society of Medical Oncology via email invitations and purposive sampling during professional meetings. The validated questionnaire collected demographic data, treatment practices, physician preferences, direct cost in terms of drug costs, chair / administration time, medical oncologist’s time, and factors influencing formulation choice. Descriptive statistics summarized responses, and comparisons between SC and IV indirect costs were analyzed using nonparametric tests.
RESULTS: A total of 402 oncologists participated (response rate 82%). Most respondents were PSMO fellows (77%), practiced in private institutions (65%), and were based in the National Capital Region (72%). Nearly all (99%) preferred SC over IV anti-HER2 therapy. Direct drug acquisition costs were comparable, with SC regimens slightly less expensive. SC administration significantly reduced median treatment administration time (60 vs. 150 minutes) and healthcare professional time (35 vs. 70 minutes) (p < .001), while allowing more patients to be treated per day (mean 42 vs. 12). Leading preference factors were time savings, increased infusion capacity, patient convenience, reduced patient stress, and patient weight.
CONCLUSIONS: SC anti-HER2 therapy is strongly preferred by Filipino medical oncologists and offers significant workflow advantages, including reduced treatment time and improved care capacity. Wider adoption may enhance oncology service efficiency while maintaining comparable treatment costs.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-09, ISPOR Asia Pacific 2026, Bangkok, Thailand
Value in Health, Volume 55, Issue S1
Code
EE16
Topic
Economic Evaluation
Topic Subcategory
Cost/Cost of Illness/Resource Use Studies
Disease
No Additional Disease & Conditions/Specialized Treatment Areas, SDC: Oncology