Dr. Brufsky on Biosimilars Being Explored in Oncology

Adam M. Brufsky, MD, PhD, professor of medicine, associate chief, Division of Hematology/Oncology, co-director, Comprehensive Breast Cancer Center, associate director, Clinical Investigation, University of Pittsburgh, discusses biosimilars currently being explored in cancer.

There is a biosimilar for bevacizumab (Avastin) in breast cancer, there is a biosimilar for rituximab (Rituxan) for lymphoma, and there is a biosimilar for a pegylated G-CSF analog (pegfilgrastim) that is under review. According to Brufsky, those are the important biosimilars coming down the pipeline soon, but there are a lot of other compounds that people are talking about.

With trastuzumab (Herceptin), investigators are trying different formulations. Subcutaneous trastuzumab has the advantage of being able to be given at home with an injector. That kind of formulation is very popular outside of the United States, explains Brufsky.