Dr. Litton Discusses the Potential Advantage of Using Biosimilars in Oncology

Jennifer K. Litton, MD, associate professor in the Department of Breast Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the potential advantage of using biosimilars in oncology.

Litton says she is an advocate of anything that could reduce the cost of cancer care, as financial toxicity is a real issue for many patients. Co-payments can vary, she adds. Although some payments are manageable, others have families questioning whether they have enough savings to afford treatment.

There is not going to be one single fix that will reduce the cost of cancer care, says Litton. The problem will need to be addressed on several fronts. Biosimilars could be an integral component in decreasing the cost of therapy, but it won’t be the only one.

On September 14, 2017, the FDA approved bevacizumab-awwb (Mvasi) a biosimilar for bevacizumab (Avastin), marking the first biosimilar to receive regulatory approval in the United States for the treatment of patients with cancer. Since then, several biosimilars have garnered approvals for biologic agents such as trastuzumab (Herceptin) and rituximab (Rituxan).