Dr. Denes on the Use of Biosimilars in Oncology

Alex E. Denes, MD, associate professor of medicine, School of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, discusses the use of biosimilars in the treatment of patients with cancer.

There have been several FDA approved biosimilars that extend beyond breast cancer into lymphoma and supportive care. Theoretically, a biosimilar should have the same efficacy as the original drug. As long as it meets the FDA criteria, Denes states that he has no problem administering a biosimilar and that he is comfortable prescribing one.

Generally, determining whether to administer a biosimilar versus the original drug is based on insurance approval or hospital cost savings. Denes cautions that there is no reason to give a biosimilar unless it is less expensive.

MYL-1401O (Ogivri; trastuzumab-dkst) is currently the only trastuzumab (Herceptin) biosimilar approved by the FDA. Filgrastim-sndz (Zarxio) is a commonly used biosimilar for the G-CSF analog filgrastim (Neupogen). SB3 is another potential trastuzumab biosimilar under investigation.