Actionable Insights Newsletter

Translating research to power whole health

Issue 12 |  September 2025

Biosimilars on the rise in treatment of common cancers

Bevacizumab and trastuzumab are gaining traction, improving patient access and reducing costs in cancer treatment.  

Domain(s): Oncology

Summary

Background
Biosimilars are a type of biologic medical product that is highly similar to an already approved reference biologic, known as the originator product. Created through complex manufacturing processes involving living organisms, biosimilars undergo rigorous evaluation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure their safety and efficacy before approval.

The recent approval of multiple biosimilars has enhanced patient access to biologic therapies, offering more treatment options. Additionally, biosimilars can lead to increased patient access to biologics, often at a reduced cost, due to their typically lower price compared to the originator products. However, real-world evidence on the utilization of biosimilars remains scarce, particularly in the U.S. cancer treatment landscape.

This study evaluated access to bevacizumab and trastuzumab originator products, their biosimilar uptake, and associated healthcare resource utilization.

Methods
The study sample included patients > 18 years with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), and breast cancer treated with bevacizumab and trastuzumab originator products or biosimilars. 

Researchers conducted a non-interventional, retrospective, descriptive administrative claims study using de-identified data from Carelon Research's Healthcare Integrated Research Database (HIRD®). 


Results

• We observed a notable increase in biosimilar uptake for all cancers studied between 2018 and 2023. 

• In NSCLC, bevacizumab biosimilar use rose from 0.0% to 23.9% by 2023, while originator use declined from 14.9% to 11.9% (Figure 1).

• A similar trend occurred in mCRC, with biosimilars accounting for an increase from 0.0% in 2018 to 21.8% by 2023 (Figure 2).

• For breast cancer, early-stage patients saw biosimilar use rise to 19.1% (Figure 3), while late-stage use increased to 13.3% (Figure 4).

Figure 1. Trends in bevacizumab biosimilar utilization among patients with NSCLC from 2018 to 2023

Figure 2. Trends in bevacizumab biosimilar utilization among patients with mCRC from 2018 to September 2023




Figure 3. Trastuzumab biosimilar uptake in early-stage breast cancer patients from 2018 to September 2023




Figure 4. Trastuzumab biosimilar uptake in late-stage breast cancer patients from 2018 to September 2023




Conclusion
This study underscores an increasing acceptance of biosimilars, illustrating their widespread integration into treatment protocols. This shift not only aligns with insurers' and providers' preferences for cost-effective treatment options but also suggests that biosimilars offer an effective alternative to originators for patients. 


Key takeaways

• Cost savings: Increasing the adoption of biosimilars can lead to significant cost savings for health plans. Biosimilars generally offer the same therapeutic benefits as their originator counterparts, but at a reduced price. This can lower overall treatment costs and improve budget management.

• Enhanced access: Health plans can enhance patient access to biologic therapies by promoting biosimilars. With a broader range of lower-cost options, more patients can receive necessary treatments, improving health outcomes across patient populations.

Publications

• Study results were presented as both podium and poster presentations at the 2025 AMCP annual meeting in Houston, TX.
• Dixon R. Real-world bevacizumab biosimilar uptake from 2018 to 2023 and outcomes among patients with non-small cell lung cancer and metastatic colorectal cancer using commercial and Medicare Advantage claims in the United States. Abstract C2. Podium Presented at AMCP 2025; March 31-April 3, 2025; Houston, Texas.
• Dixon R, Lockhart C, Venkataraman, M. et al Real-world bevacizumab biosimilar uptake from 2018 to 2023 and outcomes among patients with non-small cell lung cancer and metastatic colorectal cancer using commercial and Medicare Advantage claims in the United States. Abstract C2. Poster Presentation at AMCP 2025; March 31-April 3, 2025; Houston, Texas.
• News article: Real-world Assessment of Biosimilar Bevacizumab Uptake for NSCLC, CRC Treatment | AMCP AM 25

Carelon Research project team: Ruth Dixon, (PI) John Barron, Malvika Venkataraman, Kaitlyn Hopkins 

For more information on a specific study or to connect with the Actionable Insights Committee,
contact us at [email protected].

Sponsor: Carelon Research, Inc., a subsidiary of Elevance Health. This study was funded in collaboration with Biologics & Biosimilars Collective Intelligence Consortium (BBCIC).

Dissemination and sharing of the Newsletter is limited to Elevance Health and its subsidiaries, and included findings and implications are for Elevance Health and its affiliates’ internal use only.