title: [Biosimilars in oncology].
abstract: The development of biotechnology drugs represents one of the great advances in medical therapy and it was observed an exponential growth in its use. The resource to these drugs in Oncology and Hematology is no exception and it soon became an essential element of an integrated and directed therapy strategy. The expiry of the first biotechnology drugs patents has opened the door for the development and marketing of biosimilars, which entry in the Portuguese market was recently approved. This article was built on the analysis of the available state-of-the-art information on biotechnology drugs, biosimilars and current legislation and it expresses the opinion of Oncology and Hematology experts about the substituition of biological drugs by biosimilars in clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: Hospital do Espírito Santo, Evora.
authors.forename: Sérgio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Barroso
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Coutinho
authors.forename: Margarida
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Damasceno
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dinis
authors.forename: João
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Forjaz de Lacerda
authors.forename: Helena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gervásio
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Leal da Costa
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marques Pereira
authors.forename: António
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Parreira
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Principe
authors.forename: Helena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.forename: Anabela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sá
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Teixeira
mesh_terms: D001688:Biological Products / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D001688:Biological Products