Meeting Abstract

JL529. The Advanced Practice Provider and Subcutaneous Rituximab: Implications for Practice

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ABSTRACT

Abstracts From 
JADPRO Live at APSHO 2017
Marriott Marquis, Houston, Texas • November 2–5, 2017

The posters for the abstracts below can be found at:
eventscribe.com/2017/posters/JADPROLIVE/home.asp

Background: Rituximab (Rituxan), an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, was first approved in 1997 for treatment of follicular lymphoma (FL), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Both oncology nurses and practices have over 2 decades of experience administering rituximab intravenously. The approximate 1.5 to 4 hours it takes to safely administer rituximab is a significant amount of time for both patients and oncology practices. Subcutaneous rituximab with recombinant human hyaluronidase (Rituxan Hycela), was approved by the FDA in June 2017 and allows for a subcutaneous administration of rituximab over 5 to 7 minutes. It is approved as a fixed dose; patients with FL or DLBCL will receive 1,400 mg and those with CLL will receive 1,600 mg.

Intervention: Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) play an integral role in oncology practices by providing a vital link to patients, the nursing team, and the oncologists. It is important for APPs to keep abreast of treatments that assist the oncology team in the management of patients. It is important that APPs understand the safety and efficacy data generated in the subcutaneous rituximab clinical development studies to enable the APP to educate the oncology team and patients on this new treatment option.

Outcome Measures: This poster will provide an overview of the clinical development program for subcutaneous rituximab. A summary of the pharmacokinetics, safety profile, efficacy results, and patient preference data will be provided. The mechanism of action, dosing regimens for indicated disease states and patient monitoring will be outlined. Decreased administration time, and fixed dose and single use vials, may improve accessibility to treatment and minimization of practice resources.

Summary: APPs have a pivotal role in the education and practice support during the integration of subcutaneous rituximab into the oncology practice. APPs’ assessment of the safety and efficacy data will enable them to provide education to the oncology staff and potential patients. APPs have a critical role in identifying appropriate patients and transitioning them to this new administration option of rituximab.

Implications: Subcutaneous rituximab provides an alternative route of administration to an IV infusion. This may improve the overall treatment experience for patients. Implications for practice include reduction in time for preparation and for administration, as well as simplification of the administration process and monitoring. The APPs’ role in transitioning patients and practices to this new treatment option will provide optimal and quantifiable benefits for both patient and practices.

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