Subcutaneous Administration of Cytarabine for Pediatric Patients with Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis Decreases Burden of Patient Travel and Infusion Center Utilization

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.