Oncology

Addition of 4 Older Drugs Could Improve Bevacizumab's Effect in Glioblastoma

November 22nd 2018

By Kelly Davio

Bevacizumab, an anti–vascular endothelial growth factor treatment for which 1 biosimilar has been approved to date, has been shown to improve quality of life for patients with glioblastoma—and to delay disease progression—but has not prolonged patients’ overall survival. However, recent research suggests that using 4 older drugs together with bevacizumab could provide a more effective treatment protocol.

Study: Biosimilar Filgrastim Use Is Concordant With EORTC Guidelines

November 21st 2018

By Kelly Davio

Article

Some studies have found that granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) therapies are underused for the prophylaxis of febrile neutropenia (FN) in Europe, but the widespread availability of cheaper biosimilar options has led to increased use. A new study, published in BMC Cancer, sought to examine the use of the biosimilar filgrastim, Zarzio, in relationship to European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) guidelines.

Study Finds ABP 215 and Bevacizumab Demonstrate PK Similarity in Japanese Men

November 18th 2018

By Jackie Syrop

Article

The researchers say that their data were consistent with the pharmacokinetic equivalence previously demonstrated in a single-dose PK study that included 202 healthy adult men in the United States and European Union, and thus add to the evidence of ABP-215 as a high-quality biosimilar to bevacizumab for use in Japan.

First-Line Bevacizumab More Effective in MBC Not Previously Treated with Taxanes

November 14th 2018

By Jackie Syrop

Article

Among long-term responders, first-line bevacizumab-based therapy is more effective in patients with HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer (MBC) who were not previously treated with taxanes, a recent Spanish study suggests.

Research Demonstrates Biosimilars' Increasing Role in Cancer Treatment

November 13th 2018

By Kelly Davio

Article

During this week’s International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research 2018 European meeting, the role of biosimilars in oncology is the subject of several research presentations, all of which underscore the importance of these agents in increasing patient access and driving down costs.

Community Oncologists Divided on the Value of Biosimilars

November 9th 2018

By Samantha DiGrande

Article

During the Community Oncology Alliance Payer Summit, held October 29-30, 2018, The Center for Biosimilars® had the opportunity to sit down with several oncologists to discuss their opinions on and experiences with biosimilars.

Coherus to Match Mylan on Price for Its Pegfilgrastim Biosimilar

November 9th 2018

By Kelly Davio

Article

In its investor call on Thursday, Coherus Biosciences revealed that it will launch its biosimilar pegfilgrastim, Udenyca, at a 33% discount to the reference Neulasta.

Paper Raises Unanswered Questions About Subcutaneous Trastuzumab

November 4th 2018

By The Center for Biosimilars Staff

Article

While US patients with HER2-positive cancers do not have an available subcutaneous trastuzumab option, Brazil, Canada, and the European Union have an approved product that has been shown in a phase 3 trial to be noninferior to intravenous trastuzumab.

Biosimilars Can Play a Key Role in Value-Based Care, Review Says

November 1st 2018

By Kelly Davio

Article

Given the high burden of cancer in the senior population, and given the increasingly high cost of cancer care, there is a growing interest in value-based oncology care payment models, particularly within CMS.

Biosimilar Filgrastim Proves Noninferior to Reference in PBCM

October 29th 2018

By Samantha DiGrande

Article

A recent study presented at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the British Blood Transfusion Society, held in Brighton, United Kingdom from October 3-5, 2018, sought to determine the impact of introducing biosimilar filgrastim (sold in the United Kingdom as Zarzio) on the number of patients who were able to achieve target CD34 yield in peripheral blood stem cell mobilization (PBCM).