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Biosimilar medicines in oncology: single-center experience with biosimilar G-CSF
Nello Salesi1, Barbara Di Cocco, Maria Colonna
1Combined Department of Medical Oncology, Gaeta Hospital M. Di Liegro, Lazio Local Health Authority, Gaeta, Italy. nellosalesi@libero.it
Aims:
A biosimilar medicine is one with proven similarity to a reference biological product for which the patent has expired and whose active ingredient is produced or derived from a living organism. Recombinant granulocyte colony-stimulating growth factors (G-CSF) are used for the prophylaxis of febrile neutropenia.
Materials & Methods:
In this observational, single-center study, a total of 48 patients with solid tumors were treated with a new biosimilar G-CSF (Zarzio(®)) for 4-14 days from the day following the end of chemotherapy.
Results:
Between October 2010 and July 2011, biosimilar G-CSF was administered as primary prophylaxis in 37 patients and as secondary prophylaxis in 11 patients in our clinic. The median length of G-CSF administration was 7 days (range: 1-12 days). Three cases of febrile neutropenia were reported: two in patients with prostate adenocarcinoma and one in a patient with pulmonary squamous cell carcinoma and multiple secondary skeletal lesions. These patients were treated with antibiotics and improved within 24 h without the need for hospitalization. Nonfebrile grade 4 neutropenia was observed in a further six patients.
Conclusion:
Our experience indicates that the use of biosimilar G-CSF is safe and effective at reducing neutropenic complications in patients with solid tumors and may be associated with cost savings.
