The aim of the study was to assess patient preference for the fixed-dose combination of pertuzumab and trastuzumab for subcutaneous injection (PH FDC SC) in patients with HER2-positive early breast cancer in PHranceSCa (NCT03674112). Materials and methods: Patients who completed neoadjuvant P þ H þ chemotherapy þ surgery were randomised 1:1 to three intravenous (IV) P þ H cycles followed by three cycles of PH FDC SC or vice versa (crossover) and then chose subcutaneous (SC) injection or IV infusion to continue up to 18 cycles (continuation). Assessments were via patient and healthcare professional (HCP) questionnaires. Results: One hundred and sixty patients were randomised (cut-off: 24 February 2020); 136 (85.0%, 95% confidence interval: 78.5e90.2%) preferred SC; 22 (13.8%) preferred IV; 2 (1.3%) had no preference. The main reasons for SC preference were reduced clinic time (n Z 119) and comfort during administration (n Z 73). One hundred and forty-one patients (88.1%) were very satisfied/satisfied with SC injection versus 108 (67.5%) with IV infusion; 86.9% chose PH FDC SC continuation. HCP perceptions of median patient treatment room time ranged from 33.0e50.0 min with SC and 130.0e300.0 min with IV. Most adverse events (AEs) were grade 1/2 (no 4/5s); serious AE rates were low. AE rates before and after switching were similar (cycles 1e3 IV / cycles 4e6 SC: 77.5% / 72.5%; cycles 1e3 SC / cycles 4e6 IV: 77.5% / 63.8%). Conclusion:Most patients strongly preferred PH FDC SC over P þ H IV. PH FDC SC was generally well tolerated, with no new safety signals (even when switching), and offers a quicker alternative to IV infusion.

Three adults with sickle cell disease (SCD) presented in the span of less than two years with pancytopenia, signs of Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) and no localizing pain to suggest vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC). Bone marrow examination showed almost complete necrosis of the whole series of marrow cells, thus explaining the pancytopenia. Some necrotic leukocytes were noted also in the peripheral blood. The condition was self-limiting with marrow regeneration occurring in all three patients after transfusions of red cells and platelets.