Dr Marjorie Green, head of global clinical development, oncology, at Merck Research Labs, said the subcutaneous route "has the potential to improve the patient experience as well as increase ...

Allergen-specific immunotherapy administered by the subcutaneous route was introduced a century ago and has been shown to be effective in the management of allergic rhinitis and asthma.

Subject to confirmation in larger trials, these differences in darbepoetin alfa dosing requirements might make intravenous administration more cost-efficient than the subcutaneous route.