Francesco Marchesi and Andrea Mengarelli Pages 2217 - 2229 ( 13 )
To date, two kinds of Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factors (G-CSF) have been approved for autologous peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cell (PBSCs) mobilization and posttransplant hematologic recovery after high-dose chemotherapy: filgrastim (originator and biosimilar) and lenograstim. Biosimilar filgrastim has been approved on the basis of comparable efficacy and safety in clinical studies where it has been used as chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia prophylaxis, but no specific pre-registration studies have been published in the transplant setting. Hence, there is still general skepticism about the role of biosimilar G-CSFs in this setting of patients. This review of biochemical, pre-clinical and clinical data suggests significant comparability of biosimilar filgrastim with both originator filgrastim and lenograstim in autologous PBSCs mobilization and post-autograft hematologic recovery.
Autologous stem cell transplant, Biosimilar filgrastim, Hematologic recovery, Lenograstim, Originator filgrastim, Peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cell mobilization.
Hematology and Stem Cell Transplant Unit Regina Elena National Cancer Institute Via Elio Chianesi 53 - 00144 Rome, Italy.