New Delhi: A new subcutaneous immunotherapy, Tecentriq (atezolizumab), for lung cancer has been introduced in India, a development that could significantly reduce treatment administration time and improve patient convenience. The therapy can be administered under the skin in approximately seven minutes, compared with conventional intravenous (IV) infusions that can take several hours.
Experts say the shorter administration time could ease the burden on both patients and healthcare facilities by reducing prolonged hospital visits and improving treatment efficiency. In many cancer centres, infusion chairs remain occupied for long durations during IV therapy. With subcutaneous delivery, clinicians estimate that up to five patients could potentially be treated in the time previously required for one IV infusion, helping optimise hospital resources.
The therapy is introduced by Roche Pharma India, which said the shorter administration format could help improve patient convenience while also supporting more efficient use of oncology resources in hospitals.
Roche has not disclosed the drug’s market price; however, it is expected to be slightly higher than the its IV formulation, which is retailed at Rs 3.7 lakh per vial.
The therapy has been approved in India by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) for eligible adults with adjuvant and metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), including use as a chemotherapy-free monotherapy in certain cases.
Globally, the treatment has already been approved in more than 85 countries, with over 10,000 patients receiving the therapy. Clinical studies have shown comparable efficacy and safety to the intravenous formulation while offering significantly faster administration.
According to findings from the IMscin002 Study presented at the European Lung Cancer Congress 2024, four out of five patients preferred the subcutaneous formulation over IV infusion. Patients cited shorter clinic visits, greater comfort, and reduced emotional stress as key reasons for their preference.
Similarly, results from the IMscin001 Study, presented at the ESMO Congress 2023, found that 90 per cent of healthcare professionals considered the subcutaneous formulation easy to administer, while 75 per cent said it could save time for healthcare teams.
Sajjan Rajpurohit, Director and Head of Medical Oncology, Medanta, said , “The innovation could help address the logistical challenges faced by cancer patients who often spend long hours in hospitals for treatment.”
“Conventional IV administration can be lengthy and physically taxing for patients while also placing pressure on tertiary care hospitals. Subcutaneous delivery allows treatment to be administered more quickly, potentially improving the overall patient experience,” he said.
Healthcare experts note that such shorter administration formats could support a broader shift towards decentralised cancer care in India. By reducing infusion time and hospital resource requirements, treatment could increasingly be delivered through daycare oncology centres rather than only large tertiary hospitals.
Amit Rauthan, Consultant and Head of Medical Oncology at Manipal Hospital, Bengaluru, informed that innovations that simplify treatment administration could help improve access as India’s cancer burden continues to rise.
“Shorter administration formats can reduce pressure on hospital infrastructure and make treatment more practical for both patients and healthcare systems,” he added.
