Subcutaneous Administration of Cytarabine for Pediatric Patients with
Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis Decreases Burden of Patient Travel and
Infusion Center Utilization
Abstract
Both vinblastine and low dose cytarabine therapy for Langerhans cell
histiocytosis (LCH) have historically been delivered intravenously. Due
to a vinblastine shortage and the SARS-CoV2 pandemic, frontline
subcutaneous cytarabine was used to treat six pediatric patients with
LCH with greater than 93% of the cytarabine doses administered at home
by family. On average, 164 infusion chair hours (65.7 infusions) and
5,607 miles of driving were saved per patient, highlighting that
subcutaneous cytarabine is a feasible treatment option for pediatric
patients with LCH resulting in notably decreased patient travel burden
and infusion center utilization.