Biosimilars have been treatment options in a variety of diseases for more than 10 years. In oncology, including in lymphoma treatment, patients may have received biosimilars that increase production of certain blood cells. These supportive care drugs do not treat the cancer itself but treat side effects. Relatively new to the market are rituximab biosimilars, that treat the lymphoma directly.
Even though biosimilars have been approved and used in treatment in some parts of the world, they are still not available widely or consistently to patients everywhere. It is anticipated that in the coming years, the use of biosimilars to treat lymphoma will expand considerably.