Skip to main content

Lund University Publications

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Comparison of treatment retention of originator vs biosimilar products in clinical rheumatology practice in Sweden

Di Giuseppe, Daniela ; Lindstrom, Ulf ; Bower, Hannah ; Delcoigne, Bénédicte ; Frisell, Thomas ; Chatzidionysiou, Katerina ; Sjöwall, Christopher ; Lindqvist, Elisabet LU orcid and Askling, Johan (2022) In Rheumatology (Oxford, England) 61(9). p.3596-3605
Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To compare treatment retention between biosimilars and their originator products among first starters (etanercept, infliximab, adalimumab and rituximab), as well as after non-medical switch. METHODS: Patients with rheumatic diseases starting, for the first time, an originator or biosimilar etanercept, infliximab, adalimumab or rituximab were identified in the national Swedish Rheumatology Quality Register. Moreover, patients switching from an originator to its biosimilar were identified and individually matched to patients continuing on the originator. One-year treatment retention was calculated and hazard ratios (HR) for discontinuation with 95% CIs were estimated, adjusting for comorbidities and socio-economic factors.... (More)

OBJECTIVES: To compare treatment retention between biosimilars and their originator products among first starters (etanercept, infliximab, adalimumab and rituximab), as well as after non-medical switch. METHODS: Patients with rheumatic diseases starting, for the first time, an originator or biosimilar etanercept, infliximab, adalimumab or rituximab were identified in the national Swedish Rheumatology Quality Register. Moreover, patients switching from an originator to its biosimilar were identified and individually matched to patients continuing on the originator. One-year treatment retention was calculated and hazard ratios (HR) for discontinuation with 95% CIs were estimated, adjusting for comorbidities and socio-economic factors. RESULTS: In total, 21 443 first treatment courses were identified. The proportion of patients still on the drug at 1 year and the HR for discontinuation revealed no differences across adalimumab (Humira, Imraldi, Amgevita and Hyrimoz) nor across rituximab products (Mabthera, Ritemvia/Truxima and Rixathon). The proportions on the drug at 1 year were similar for Benepali (77%) and Enbrel (75%) and the adjusted HR for Benepali compared with Enbrel was 0.91 (95% CI 0.83, 0.99). For infliximab, the proportion still on the drug at 1 year was 67% for Remicade and 66% for Remsima/Inflectra and the HR compared with Remicade was 1.16 (95% CI 1.02, 1.33). Among 2925 patients switching from an originator drug to one of its biosimilars, we noted no statistically significant or clinically relevant differences in drug survival compared with those who remained on originator therapy. CONCLUSION: This large observational study supports the equivalence of biologic DMARD biosimilar products and originators when used in routine rheumatology care.

(Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; ; ; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
bDMARDs, biosimilar, retention, rheumatic diseases
in
Rheumatology (Oxford, England)
volume
61
issue
9
pages
10 pages
publisher
Oxford University Press
external identifiers
  • pmid:34919663
  • scopus:85137136346
ISSN
1462-0332
DOI
10.1093/rheumatology/keab933
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
9b768a83-2bac-46c8-b717-f17f4c5b8d64
date added to LUP
2022-11-09 15:27:13
date last changed
2024-06-14 17:39:39
@article{9b768a83-2bac-46c8-b717-f17f4c5b8d64,
  abstract     = {{<p>OBJECTIVES: To compare treatment retention between biosimilars and their originator products among first starters (etanercept, infliximab, adalimumab and rituximab), as well as after non-medical switch. METHODS: Patients with rheumatic diseases starting, for the first time, an originator or biosimilar etanercept, infliximab, adalimumab or rituximab were identified in the national Swedish Rheumatology Quality Register. Moreover, patients switching from an originator to its biosimilar were identified and individually matched to patients continuing on the originator. One-year treatment retention was calculated and hazard ratios (HR) for discontinuation with 95% CIs were estimated, adjusting for comorbidities and socio-economic factors. RESULTS: In total, 21 443 first treatment courses were identified. The proportion of patients still on the drug at 1 year and the HR for discontinuation revealed no differences across adalimumab (Humira, Imraldi, Amgevita and Hyrimoz) nor across rituximab products (Mabthera, Ritemvia/Truxima and Rixathon). The proportions on the drug at 1 year were similar for Benepali (77%) and Enbrel (75%) and the adjusted HR for Benepali compared with Enbrel was 0.91 (95% CI 0.83, 0.99). For infliximab, the proportion still on the drug at 1 year was 67% for Remicade and 66% for Remsima/Inflectra and the HR compared with Remicade was 1.16 (95% CI 1.02, 1.33). Among 2925 patients switching from an originator drug to one of its biosimilars, we noted no statistically significant or clinically relevant differences in drug survival compared with those who remained on originator therapy. CONCLUSION: This large observational study supports the equivalence of biologic DMARD biosimilar products and originators when used in routine rheumatology care.</p>}},
  author       = {{Di Giuseppe, Daniela and Lindstrom, Ulf and Bower, Hannah and Delcoigne, Bénédicte and Frisell, Thomas and Chatzidionysiou, Katerina and Sjöwall, Christopher and Lindqvist, Elisabet and Askling, Johan}},
  issn         = {{1462-0332}},
  keywords     = {{bDMARDs; biosimilar; retention; rheumatic diseases}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{9}},
  pages        = {{3596--3605}},
  publisher    = {{Oxford University Press}},
  series       = {{Rheumatology (Oxford, England)}},
  title        = {{Comparison of treatment retention of originator vs biosimilar products in clinical rheumatology practice in Sweden}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/rheumatology/keab933}},
  doi          = {{10.1093/rheumatology/keab933}},
  volume       = {{61}},
  year         = {{2022}},
}