Wolfgang Janni, MD, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Ulm, Germany, discusses the influence of biosimilars in oncology.

The increasing availability of biosimilars is beginning to impact how physicians treat their patients, says Janni. As biosimilars are approved by the FDA and their biologic counterparts come off patent, physicians will have more access to several different therapeutic options for patients. Although biosimilars have the potential to reduce the cost of cancer care, it is important to remember that they have to demonstrate equal efficacy to biologics before they can be incorporated into practice, adds Janni.

In practice, Janni and colleagues have had first-hand experience with biosimilars, and as such, expect no difference between the way a biosimilar behaves and the way a biologic behaves. In fact, according to Janni, he has never encountered a difference between a biologic and a biosimilar that he chose to prescribe.

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Dr. Janni on the Influence of Biosimilars in Oncology

  Wolfgang Janni, MD, PhD, University of Ulm, discusses the future of treatments for patients with HER2-positive breast cancer.

According to Janni, the APHINITY trial, is one of the trials that many are still excited about regarding treatments for HER2-positive breast cancer.

In terms of new agents, Janni states that it will be interesting to see data on other targeted agents such as CDK4/6 inhibitors in the HER2-positive setting. There is interesting data suggesting that this could be beneficial to patients.

Wolfgang Janni, MD, PhD, University of Ulm, discusses the future of treatments for patients with HER2-positive breast cancer.

Dr. Janni on the Future of Treatments for HER2-Positive Breast Cancer

Wolfgang Janni, MD, PhD, University of Ulm, discusses challenges facing the treatment options for patients HER2-positive breast cancer.

One of the challenges facing patients with HER2-positive breast cancer is determining the right treatment options for each specific patient. There is a strong standard therapy for metastatic breast cancer in the first-line setting, however, further investigation is also needed in later lines of treatment, explains Janni.

In the adjuvant setting, it is unsure what the right treatment will be and which patients will experience the best response, states Janni.

Dr. Janni on Challenges Facing the Treatment of HER2-Positive Breast Cancer

Wolfgang Janni, MD, PhD, University of Ulm, discusses the benefits of HER2-targeted therapies for patients with all stages of HER2-positive breast cancer.

According to Janni, the benefits of HER2-targeted therapies in breast cancer outweigh the adverse events that patients experience.

The most common adverse events that are associated with HER2-targeted treatments include cardiotoxicity and diarrhea, states Janni.

Wolfgang Janni, MD, PhD, University of Ulm, discusses the benefits of HER2-targeted therapies for patients with all stages of HER2-positive breast cancer. 


Dr. Janni on the Benefits of Targeted Therapies for HER2-Positive Breast Cancer

Wolfgang Janni, MD, PhD, University of Ulm, discusses the management of adverse events for patients being treated with HER2-targeted therapies.

The benefits of HER2-targeted therapies outweigh the adverse events associated with them, says Janni. But patients should be closely monitored, particularly in early breast cancer.

The combination of trastuzumab (Herceptin) and pertuzumab (Perjeta) may result in cardiotoxicities, so a physical examination and thorough history of the patient should be conducted, then factors such as heart rate and body weight must be closely monitored as treatment progresses.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors used in the treatment of HER2-positive disease, particularly neratinib and lapatinib (Tykerb), regularly induce grade 3/4 diarrhea, adds Janni, which can be controlled by loperamide.

View more from the St. Gallen's Breast Cancer Conference

Wolfgang Janni, MD, PhD, University of Ulm, disucusses the management of adverse events in HER2-targeted therapies.

Wolfgang Janni, MD, PhD

Articles

Dr. Janni on the Influence of Biosimilars in Oncology

Dr. Janni on the Future of Treatments for HER2-Positive Breast Cancer

Dr. Janni on Challenges Facing the Treatment of HER2-Positive Breast Cancer

Dr. Janni on the Benefits of Targeted Therapies for HER2-Positive Breast Cancer

Dr. Janni on Reducing Adverse Events of HER2-Targeted Treatment in Breast Cancer