The American Society of Hematology, the British Society of Haematology, the European Society of Hematology and the European Group of Bone Marrow Transplantation all recommend the use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) after transplant in order to reduce the time to neutrophil recovery and the number of days with fever.
EMA approved the first biosimilar G-CSF in 2008, and there are currently six biosimilar G-CSF licensed for use in the EU.
G-CSF can be used, following autologous stem cell transplantation, to reduce the time to neutrophil recovery and the number of days with fever. In a recent paper, the evidence for the safety and efficacy of G-CSF biosimilars used for this indication is reviewed.
In a study of patients recovering from treatment for lymphoma, myeloma or solid tumours, no difference was found between use of brand-name or biosimilar G-CSF to aid neutrophil recovery and reduce the number of days with fever. The clinical parameters evaluated were the number of G-CSF injections, the number of days of hospitalization, the number of units of red blood cell or platelet transfusions, the days on which body temperature exceeded 38°C, the days of parenteral nutrition, the weight loss and the hospitalization costs.
With respect to cost, significant differences (p < 0.00001) were observed, confirming that biosimilars are cheaper than brand-name G-CSF. The author did point out, however, that as part of the total hospitalization this did not make a difference. This was due to the fact that the cost of G-CSF only made up 1% of the total costs of the procedure.
Conflict of interest
The author of the research paper did not declare any conflict of interest.
Editor’s comment
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