Bevacizumab, an anti–vascular endothelial growth factor treatment for which 1 biosimilar has been approved to date, has been shown to improve quality of life for patients with glioblastoma—and to delay disease progression—but has not prolonged patients’ overall survival. However, recent research suggests that using 4 older drugs together with bevacizumab could provide a more effective treatment protocol.
Bevacizumab, an anti—vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) treatment for which 1 biosimilar has been approved to date, has been shown to improve quality of life for patients with glioblastoma—and to delay disease progression—but has not prolonged patients’ overall survival.
However, recent research suggests that using 4 older drugs together with bevacizumab could provide a more effective treatment protocol. Writing in Medical Sciences, Richard E. Kast, MD, describes the current research supporting this regimen.
The drugs in question are apremilast, which treats psoriasis; dapsone, an antibiotic that treats Hansen disease; zonisamide, which treats seizures; and telmisartan, which treats hypertension.
Using these drugs in combination with bevacizumab is expected to lower intracranial pressure, allow for steroid-sparing treatment, enhance bevacizumab’s effects, provide synergy with temozolomide, exert anti-glioma effects, and have low risk of adverse events.
All of these drugs, writes Kast, are low-risk drugs when they are used individually, and are all relatively inexpensive and widely available. Phase 3 testing of the regimen will be necessary prior to general use, however.
Reference
Kast RE. Paths for improving bevacizumab available in 2018: the ADZT regimen for better glioblastoma treatment. Med Sci. 2018;6(4); 84. doi:10.3390/medsci6040084.
Budget Impact Analysis of Biosimilar Natalizumab in the US
Projected savings from biosimilar natalizumab were $452,611 over 3 years, driven by decreased drug acquisition costs and a utilization shift from reference to biosimilar natalizumab.
Biosimilars in America: Overcoming Barriers and Maximizing Impact
July 21st 2024Join us as we explore the complexities of the US biosimilars market, discussing legislative influences, payer and provider adoption factors, and strategies to overcome industry challenges with expert insights from Kyle Noonan, PharmD, MS, value & access strategy manager at Cencora.
Real-World Study: No Increase in Health Resource Costs After Infliximab Biosimilar Introduction
July 20th 2024Although biosimilars reduce drug purchasing costs for hospitals, it’s unclear whether those savings might be offset by increased health resource utilization following a non-medical switching initiative.
Biosimilars Oncology Roundup for June 2024—Podcast Edition
July 7th 2024On this episode of Not So Different, we review biosimilar news coming out of June, with clinical trial results from conferences and a study showcasing how to overcome economic and noneconomic barriers to oncology biosimilars.
Trastuzumab-dkst Shows Promising Results in Real-World Setting for HER2+ Breast Cancer
July 9th 2024A Brazilian real-world study found trastuzumab-dkst to be an effective and safe adjuvant therapy for HER2-positive (HER2+) breast cancer, with clinical outcomes comparable to reference trastuzumab.