Biosimilars

Findings from the 2019 ESMO Congress showcased that biosimilars for pegfilgrastim, filgrastim, bevacizumab, and trastuzumab demonstrated efficacy and safety equivalency with their reference counterparts in a number of malignancies.

Michael Untch, MD, PhD, discusses the widespread use of biosimilars in Europe.

Chen Fu, MD, discusses the data supporting the use of CT-P6 in HER2-positive breast cancer, the benefits to bringing more biosimilars to the market, and the future that these products have in oncology.

Denise Yardley, MD, discusses the impact of biosimilars on breast cancer treatment.

Gary H. Lyman, MD, MPH, discusses granulocyte colony-stimulating factor biosimilars and their impact on the market.

Ali McBride, PharmD, MS, BCOP, discusses the oncology community’s reaction to biosimilars for rituximab (Rituxan).

Gary H. Lyman, MD, MPH, discusses challenges in biosimilar policies.

The uptick of biosimilars has led to a surge of new data and regulatory decisions in recent years, with a focus on similarity between biosimilars and their reference products while reducing healthcare costs. This week, data on subcutaneous formulations of one biosimilar and long-term experience with another were provided, as well as an authorization of a trastuzumab (Herceptin) biosimilar in Canada.

Manfred Welslau, MD, discusses the first interim safety analysis in treatment-naïve, CD20-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma following the approval of Rixathon, a Sandoz biosimilar for rituximab.

Manfred Welslau, MD, Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, Onkologie Aschaffenburg, discusses the rationale for the REFLECT trial in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Gary H. Lyman, MD, MPH, senior lead, Health Care Quality and Policy, Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research, member, Cancer Prevention Program, Public Health Services Division, and member, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, discusses the use of rituximab (Rituxan) biosimilars in the treatment of patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).

Gary H. Lyman, MD, MPH, discusses the current parameters used to develop a biosimilar, the impact these products have had in the treatment and supportive care settings, and ongoing initiatives to address remaining challenges.

Peter Schmid, MD, PhD, lead at the Centre for Experimental Cancer Medicine, Barts Cancer Institute, discusses the evaluation of biosimilars in oncology.

Andrea De Censi, MD, director of the medical oncology unit at the National Hospital E.O. Ospedali Galliera–SC Oncologia Medica in Genoa, Italy, discusses the hope for biosimilars in the United States.

Gary H. Lyman, MD, MPH, senior lead, Health Care Quality and Policy, Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research, member, Cancer Prevention Program, Public Health Services Division, and member, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, discusses educational initiatives regarding the use of biosimilars in oncology.

Dawn L. Hershman, MD, MS, professor of Medicine and Epidemiology, Columbia University Medical Center, leader of the breast cancer program at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, discusses the equivalency of biosimilars and biologics.

Lee S. Schwartzberg, MD, discusses the mission of OneOncology as well as the work that is being done to bring biosimilars to the market.

Even though many challenges must be overcome before widespread adoption can occur, there is still much promise on the horizon for biosimilars.

Hans-Christian Kolberg, MD, discusses collecting real-world data for biosimilars, specifically the trastuzumab biosimilar ABP 980 for breast cancer.

Manfred Welslau, MD, discusses financial savings of using a rituximab biosimilar for patients with previously untreated CD20-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

A cluster of clinical news in biosimilars has been announced over the last few days, with pooled data sets against reference products, an expected launch of a novel study, and a cost efficiency analysis.

Gary H. Lyman, MD, MPH, discusses educating physicians about biosimilars in oncology.

Hans-Christian Kolberg, MD, discusses cost reduction and safety of biosimilars, specifically ones for trastuzumab biosimilars in breast cancer.

Robert M. Rifkin, MD, FACP, discusses details of bringing biosimilars to market, ongoing challenges, and the need for education of these products.

Roberto A. Leon Ferre, MD, oncologist, Mayo Clinic, discusses reasons to explore biosimilars in oncology.