Certain kinds of cancer drugs do appear equivalent, Elizabeth Tracey reports

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Biosimilars are a class of drugs that are essentially generic versions of others used to treat cancer, and if you’re undergoing cancer treatment you may have concerns about whether they’re really as effective. Rest easy, says William Nelson, director of the Kimmel Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins.

Nelson: They conducted an analysis of the clinical trials that were used to support the idea that these were equally effective. The biosimilar clinical trials ultimately ended up with 12,000 participants. The trials of the biosimilars were more likely to be larger, more likely to be double blinded. I think what it does tell you is the evidence that these things are equivalent in their effectiveness and their side effect profile is very strong. It’s based on a large number of people in very tightly done clinical trials.  :31

Nelson says biosimilars are less expensive than their counterparts and may lessen the financial burden of cancer treatment for some. At Johns Hopkins, I’m Elizabeth Tracey.