[Chemotherapy by ambulatory continuous infusion using a portable pump: a feasibility trial]

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Medical Devices
• Pharmacology

Context:

• Metastatic cancer treatment requires continuous drug delivery.
• Traditional infusion methods can be cumbersome for patients.
• Disposable infusion devices offer a potential solution for improved patient mobility.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the safety and patient acceptance of a novel portable infusor for chemotherapy delivery.
• To assess the feasibility of using portable infusors in a hospital setting for metastatic cancer patients.

Summary:

• 43 metastatic cancer patients received chemotherapy via portable infusors over 24 hours.
• The disposable elastomere balloon reservoir delivered drugs like CDDP, bleomycin, and 5-fluorouracil at 2 ml/hour.
• No incidents related to the pump were reported during hospital observation.

Impact:

• The portable infusor provided significant comfort and convenience compared to standard infusion techniques.
• Positive patient reception suggests potential for expanded use, including home-based chemotherapy.
• This technology may enhance patient quality of life during cancer treatment.