Real-world use and acceptance of rituximab biosimilars in non-Hodgkin lymphoma in an oncologist network in Germany

Future Oncol. 2020 May;16(15):1001-1012. doi: 10.2217/fon-2020-0180. Epub 2020 Apr 14.

Abstract

Aim: Present real-world data for rituximab (biosimilar and reference)-containing regimens in extrapolated indications in non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)/chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Patients & methods: Data collected from office-based oncologic practices in Germany (July 2017-June 2019). Results: Of 1741 patients, 1241 had NHL; 500 had CLL. Of 7595 therapy cycles, 28.3% used reference rituximab; 55.2% used rituximab biosimilars; 2.0% used subcutaneous rituximab; 14.5% used rituximab, not otherwise specified. Rituximab biosimilars were used across all indications; 57.3% of cycles were administered in extrapolated indications. Over 24 months, the proportion of rituximab prescriptions that were for biosimilars increased from 12.0 to 83.0%. Conclusion: Our real-world data in NHL and CLL depicts increasing use of rituximab biosimilars across multiple treatment protocols, including extrapolated indications.

Keywords: biosimilar; chronic lymphocytic leukemia; non-Hodgkin lymphoma; real-world; rituximab.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / therapeutic use*
  • Biosimilar Pharmaceuticals / administration & dosage
  • Biosimilar Pharmaceuticals / adverse effects
  • Biosimilar Pharmaceuticals / therapeutic use*
  • Child
  • Female
  • Germany / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / diagnosis
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / drug therapy*
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / epidemiology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Oncologists*
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians'*
  • Rituximab / administration & dosage
  • Rituximab / adverse effects
  • Rituximab / therapeutic use*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological
  • Biosimilar Pharmaceuticals
  • Rituximab