Changing how often a popular cancer therapy is delivered would reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve environmental impact without decreasing cancer survival, according to an analysis from researchers at the University of Michigan Health Rogel Cancer Center.
Changing how often a popular cancer therapy is delivered would reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve environmental impact without decreasing cancer survival, according to an analysis from researchers at the University of Michigan Health Rogel Cancer Center.
The team looked at 7,813 veterans receiving the immunotherapy treatment pembrolizumab through the Veterans Health Administration.
Pembrolizumab is an intravenous treatment that is often given every three weeks at a standard, one-size-fits-all dose of 200 milligrams.
Researchers estimated the environmental impact of patients coming in for this care every three weeks: carbon dioxide emissions from patients’ transportation to and from the clinic, manufacturing of the drug, and medical waste like needles, tubing and bags used during the compounding and infusing process.
Read more at: University of Michigan
Photo Credit: Erica Reist Bass, Michigan Medicine
