Dr. Hamilton on the Addition of Biosimilars to Breast Oncology

Erika P. Hamilton, MD, director, Breast and Gynecologic Research Program, Sarah Cannon Research Institute, discusses the addition of biosimilars to breast oncology.

Biosimilars are going to be important factor in managing the cost of breast cancer care, says Hamilton. That is one of the biggest concerns as of now, she adds. Although many physicians feel more comfortable using the name brand drug, the biosimilars that have moved forward in this space have shown similar efficacy to the reference product in trials. A significant cost reduction is what physicians want to see, though, Hamilton says.

Recently, the 24-month results from a double-blind, randomized phase III trial of the biosimilar candidate CT-P6 in patients with HER2-positive early breast cancer confirmed similar efficacy and safety when compared with adjuvant trastuzumab (Herceptin). There is already 1 FDA-approved trastuzumab biosimilar, MYL-1401O (Ogivri; trastuzumab-dkst), but it is not yet on the market for use.