Dr. Janni on the Influence of Biosimilars in Oncology

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.