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.
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.
Authors: Pere Gascón; Matti Aapro; Heinz Ludwig; Carsten Bokemeyer; Mario Boccadoro; Matthew Turner; Kris Denhaerynck; Karen MacDonald; Ivo Abraham Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2015-08-27 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Pere Gascón; Hans Tesch; Karl Verpoort; Maria Sofia Rosati; Nello Salesi; Samir Agrawal; Nils Wilking; Helen Barker; Michael Muenzberg; Matthew Turner Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2013-08-01 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Sophie Nahon; Mansour Rastkhah; Meher Ben Abdelghani; Ravaka-Fatoma Soumoudronga; Isabelle Gasnereau; Jean-Luc Labourey Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2015-10-27 Impact factor: 3.359