Cover art for podcast Blood & Cancer

Blood & Cancer

101 EpisodesProduced by Medscape Professional NetworkWebsite

The official podcast feed of MDedge Hematology-Oncology, part of the Medscape Professional Network. On Thursdays, Dr. David Henry interviews key opinion leaders and rising stars in hematology and oncology. The information in this podcast is provided for informational and educational purposes only.

19:31

Understanding biosimilars

Think of biosimilars as your mother’s minestrone soup: It’s the same recipe and ingredients every time, but not every batch is chemically identical, even if it tastes about the same. That’s how Brian T. Hill, MD, PhD, of the Cleveland Clinic, describes biosimilars. He joins Blood & Cancer host David H. Henry, MD, of Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia, to discuss how biosimilars are made and approved, and how they differ from generic drugs. 

In Clinical Correlation, Ilana Yurkiewicz, MD, of Stanford (Calif.) University, talks about percentages -- what they mean, what they don’t mean, and how they can be interpreted in oncology. 

* * *

What are biosimilars?

  • Monoclonal antibodies and biologics are complex and large proteins that are made in cells and bioreactors. Because they are made in “nature” instead of a synthetic reaction (discussed with generics), slight differences can be expected in the molecular structure. 
  • Those slight variances do not create clinically meaningful differences between the biosimilar and the original product. 
  • Biosimilars go through very stringent review by the Food and Drug Administration and head-to-head clinical trials with the originator drug. 

Biosimilar vs. generic drug

  • This is in contrast to a “generic” drug. In generic drugs, the chemical composition of all brands is synthesized identically. 
  • An insurance company may approve a biosimilar, but not the originator drug. 
  • Monoclonal biosimilars are on the way as the patent expires; this could soon mean that Herceptin (trastuzumab) will have a biosimilar. 

Points:

  • Insurance driven or otherwise, both Dr. Hill and Dr. Henry would be comfortable using biosimilars. 

Show notes by Ronak Mistry, DO, resident in the department of internal medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.

* * *

For more MDedge Podcasts, go to mdedge.com/podcasts

Email the show: podcasts@mdedge.com

Interact with us on Twitter: @MDedgehemonc

David Henry on Twitter: @davidhenrymd

Ilana Yurkiewicz on Twitter: @ilanayurkiewicz

Educational emoji reaction

Educational

Interesting emoji reaction

Interesting

Funny emoji reaction

Funny

Agree emoji reaction

Agree

Love emoji reaction

Love

Wow emoji reaction

Wow

Are you the creator of this podcast?

Verify your account

and pick the featured episodes for your show.

Listen to Blood & Cancer

RadioPublic

A free podcast app for iPhone and Android

  • User-created playlists and collections
  • Download episodes while on WiFi to listen without using mobile data
  • Stream podcast episodes without waiting for a download
  • Queue episodes to create a personal continuous playlist
RadioPublic on iOS and Android
Or by RSS
RSS feed
https://jcsopodcast.libsyn.com/radiopublic

Connect with listeners

Podcasters use the RadioPublic listener relationship platform to build lasting connections with fans

Yes, let's begin connecting
Browser window

Find new listeners

  • A dedicated website for your podcast
  • Web embed players designed to convert visitors to listeners in the RadioPublic apps for iPhone and Android
Clicking mouse cursor

Understand your audience

  • Capture listener activity with affinity scores
  • Measure your promotional campaigns and integrate with Google and Facebook analytics
Graph of increasing value

Engage your fanbase

  • Deliver timely Calls To Action, including email acquistion for your mailing list
  • Share exactly the right moment in an episode via text, email, and social media
Icon of cellphone with money

Make money

  • Tip and transfer funds directly to podcastsers
  • Earn money for qualified plays in the RadioPublic apps with Paid Listens