title: [Biosimilar drugs in oncology].
abstract: Biosimilar drugs are biologic drugs clinically similar to the reference products. They correspond to a generic approach applied to biologic agents. Biosimilars are aimed to provide cheaper drugs by enhancing the concurrency. The approval of biosimilars is abbreviated when compared to that of the reference biologics but includes clinical trials (distinguishing them from the generics). Current available biosimilars in oncology are filgrastim and epoietin alpha. In the next future, will be launched rituximab and trastuzumab. In France, the development of biosimilars is faced with many hurdles that necessitates a better information of physicians and a greater price discount in the out-patient setting. More globally, harmonisation of recommendations particularly concerning extrapolation of indications and nomenclature are needed for a better acceptance.
authors.affiliation: Hôpital Hautepierre, service de pharmacie, avenue Molière, 67000 Strasbourg, France. Electronic address: dominique.leveque@chru-strasbourg.fr.
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Levêque
mesh_terms: D059451:Biosimilar Pharmaceuticals / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068817:Epoetin Alfa / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069585:Filgrastim / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005544:Forecasting; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000069283:Rituximab / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068878:Trastuzumab / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D059451:Biosimilar Pharmaceuticals; D000069283:Rituximab; D000068817:Epoetin Alfa; D000068878:Trastuzumab; D000069585:Filgrastim
keywords: Biosimilaires; Biosimilars; Oncologie; Oncology