Mayo Clinic Study Shows Home Chemotherapy is Safe and Feasible

Researchers demonstrate successful delivery of cancer treatment outside traditional infusion centers.

Mar. 20, 2026 at 7:56am

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In a study published in NEJM Catalyst, Mayo Clinic researchers have demonstrated that chemotherapy can be safely delivered to patients in their homes. The pilot study evaluated Mayo Clinic's Cancer CARE Beyond Walls program, which combines virtual care, remote patient monitoring, and in-home clinical services to provide cancer treatment outside of traditional infusion centers. The researchers reported no treatment-related infusion reactions or catheter-related infections, supporting the safety and feasibility of this approach.

Why it matters

This model has the potential to reduce the physical, emotional, and financial burdens associated with cancer treatment by allowing patients to receive care in the comfort of their own homes, avoiding travel time and disruptions to daily life. It also aims to expand access to high-quality cancer care for patients who may face barriers to reaching traditional cancer centers.

The details

In the pilot study, a multidisciplinary team delivered 93 IV chemotherapy infusions to 10 patients in their homes. Most participants reported high satisfaction with at-home care and said they would recommend the model to others. To build on these findings, Mayo Clinic is now enrolling patients in a randomized clinical trial to further evaluate home-based chemotherapy compared to standard infusion care.

  • The pilot study was published in NEJM Catalyst in 2026.
  • Mayo Clinic launched a randomized clinical trial in August 2023 to evaluate home-based chemotherapy.

The players

Roxana Dronca, M.D.

Site director of the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center in Florida and director of Mayo Clinic Cancer CARE Beyond Walls.

Cheryl Willman, M.D.

The Stephen and Barbara Slaggie Executive Director, Mayo Clinic Cancer Programs.

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What they’re saying

“Cancer care has traditionally required patients to spend long hours in infusion centers, often far from home. This model allows us to safely bring high-quality care directly to patients, reducing burden while maintaining the standards patients expect from Mayo Clinic.”

— Roxana Dronca, M.D., Site director of the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center in Florida and director of Mayo Clinic Cancer CARE Beyond Walls

“This approach is about more than convenience. It's about improving quality of life during treatment and expanding access to care for patients who may face barriers to reaching traditional cancer centers.”

— Roxana Dronca, M.D., Site director of the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center in Florida and director of Mayo Clinic Cancer CARE Beyond Walls

What’s next

Mayo Clinic is currently enrolling patients in a randomized clinical trial that launched in August 2023 to evaluate home-based chemotherapy compared with standard infusion care. This study will examine safety, patient experience, outcomes, and costs, with the goal of expanding access to high-quality cancer care and reducing barriers to clinical trial participation.

The takeaway

This study demonstrates the potential of home-based chemotherapy to improve the quality of life for cancer patients by reducing the physical, emotional, and financial burdens associated with traditional cancer treatment. If the ongoing clinical trial continues to show positive results, this model could help expand access to high-quality cancer care and reduce barriers to clinical trial participation.