Dr. Slamon on the Use of Trastuzumab and Bevacizumab Biosimilars in Breast Cancer

Dennis J. Slamon, MD, PhD, director, Clinical/Translational Research, Revlon/University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Women's Cancer Research Program, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA, discusses the use of biosimilars in clinical practice.

The trastuzumab (Herceptin) biosimilar has been tested and the data are in. The approval for trastuzumab and bevacizumab (Avastin) has been granted, says Slamon. The biosimilars have not yet come to market because there is still pending litigation. The data that Slamon has seen are quite convincing and quite compelling in that they have the same profile as the parent drug.

The approval process for biosimilars is not more extensive, but it is held to a high standard, says Slamon. If these drugs meet the regulatory criteria, they will be important additions to what is currently being used for cancer treatment, concludes Slamon.