PREF-NET: a patient preference and experience study of lanreotide autogel administered in the home versus hospital setting among patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours in the UK.

Purpose: PREF-NET reported patients’ experience of Somatuline® (lanreotide) Autogel® (LAN) administration at home and in hospital among patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (GEP-NETs). Methods: PREF-NET was a multicentre, cross-sectional study of UK adults (aged ≥ 18 years) with GEP-NETs receiving a stable dose of LAN, which comprised of (1) a quantitative online survey, and (2) qualitative semi-structured interviews conducted with a subgroup of survey respondents. The primary objective was the description of overall patient preference for home versus hospital administration of LAN. Secondary objectives included describing patient-reported opinions on the experience and associated preference for each administration setting, and the impact on healthcare utilisation, societal cost, activities of daily living and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Results: In the primary analysis (80 patients; mean age 63.9 years), 98.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 96.1–100.0) of patients preferred to receive LAN at home, compared with 1.3% (95% CI: 0.0–3.9) who preferred the hospital setting. Among participants, over half (60.3%) received their injection from a non-healthcare professional. Most patients (79.5% [95% CI: 70.5–88.4]) reported a positive effect on HRQoL after the switch from hospital to home administration. Qualitative interviews (20 patients; mean age 63.6 years) highlighted that patients preferred home administration because it improved overall convenience; saved time and costs; made them feel more comfortable and relaxed, and less stressed; and increased confidence in their ability to self-manage their treatment. Conclusion: Almost all patients preferred to receive LAN treatment at home rather than in hospital with increased convenience and psychological benefits reported as key reasons for this preference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]