title: Measures of biosimilarity in monoclonal antibodies in oncology: the case of bevacizumab.
abstract: Biosimilars have been available on the European market since 2006 and experience with their use is increasing. The next wave of biopharmaceuticals that are about to lose patent protection consists of more-complicated products, including many monoclonal antibodies. Guidance has been released on the particulars of a biosimilarity exercise involving these products. Considerable challenges exist to establish biosimilarity for anticancer products. An especially challenging product is bevacizumab (Avastin(®)). On the basis of data available for the innovator product (bevacizumab) we will discuss strengths and weaknesses of preclinical and clinical models and explore the application of novel endpoints to the biosimilar comparability exercise.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Hans C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Ebbers
authors.forename: Peter J K
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: van Meer
authors.forename: Ellen H M
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Moors
authors.forename: Aukje K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Mantel-Teeuwisse
authors.forename: Hubert G M
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Leufkens
authors.forename: Huub
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schellekens
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D059451:Biosimilar Pharmaceuticals / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D006801:Humans; D010330:Patents as Topic; D061214:Patient Safety; D011786:Quality Control; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013810:Therapeutic Equivalency
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D059451:Biosimilar Pharmaceuticals; D000068258:Bevacizumab