Dr. O'Regan on the Status of Biosimilars in Oncology

Ruth O’Regan, MD, division head, Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, discusses the status of biosimilars in oncology.

Biosimilars are beginning to take off in the field of oncology, explains O’Regan. Data on trastuzumab (Herceptin) biosimilars have been presented from randomized studies, demonstrating similar safety and immunogenicity profiles. Though these biosimilars may be ready for use in practice, says O’Regan, patients who have been on trastuzumab for years may not be comfortable making the switch to the biosimilar.

Nonetheless, biosimilars are an exciting breakthrough in oncology, and there are those in development outside of breast cancer, including those that physicians use as supportive agents, notes O’Regan. Additionally, different methods of administration are being explored, such as a subcutaneous injection. There is no doubt that biosimilars will have an impact on the field of oncology, says O’Regan, but the hope is that they will ultimately decrease the cost of cancer therapy.