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Review
. 2017 Oct;12(5):599-610.
doi: 10.1007/s11523-017-0518-1.

Bevacizumab in Colorectal Cancer: Current Role in Treatment and the Potential of Biosimilars

Lee S Rosen  1 , Ira A Jacobs  2 , Ronald L Burkes  3
Affiliations
Review

Bevacizumab in Colorectal Cancer: Current Role in Treatment and the Potential of Biosimilars

Lee S Rosen et al. Target Oncol. 2017 Oct.

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of tumor-related morbidity and mortality worldwide, with mortality most often attributable to metastatic disease. Bevacizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting vascular endothelial growth factor, has a significant role in the treatment of metastatic CRC (mCRC). However, patient access to bevacizumab may be limited in some regions or circumstances, owing to factors related to insurance coverage, reimbursement, patient out-of-pocket costs, or availability. As a result, outcomes for patients with mCRC may be worsened. Additionally, counterfeit bevacizumab has infiltrated legitimate supply chains, exposing patients to risk. Oncologists may also be affected detrimentally, since resolving access issues can be time-consuming and demoralizing. The imminent expiry of patents protecting bevacizumab provides other manufacturers with the opportunity to produce highly similar versions known as biosimilars. High-quality, safe, and effective biosimilars have the potential to expand access to bevacizumab. Most of the bevacizumab biosimilars currently in development are in clinical trials in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer, and future authorization for mCRC indications will, therefore, be based on extrapolation. This article reviews the current role of bevacizumab in the management of mCRC, the possible barriers associated with diminished access to bevacizumab, and the potential bevacizumab biosimilars in development. How biosimilars may impact the treatment of mCRC is also discussed.

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Conflict of interest statement

Funding

Medical writing support was provided by Paul Shepherd of Engage Scientific Solutions and was funded by Pfizer.

Conflict of Interest

Lee Rosen has received research funding from Lilly, Pfizer, and Regeneron, and an honorarium from Pfizer for participation in an advisory board. Ira Jacobs is an employee of and holds stock or stock options in Pfizer Inc. Ronald Burkes has received honoraria from and acted as a consultant or advisor to Eli Lilly, Roche, Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, AstraZeneca, Merck, and the EMD-Serono/Pfizer alliance.

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