The aim of this plain language review article is to help you to understand biosimilar medicines (called biosimilars) by giving a summary of biologic medicines and biosimilars. It is based on the experience of an international panel of physicians with expertise on biosimilars who discussed and agreed on the topics and information included in this review article. Biologic medicines are medicines that come from living organisms such as bacteria and animal or plant cells. Biosimilars are a group of approved biologic medicines that are similar to original biologic medicines that are already available. This review explains how biosimilars are developed and approved, and how they are used to treat people with cancer. It also answers some common important questions people with cancer might have when taking biosimilars.This Plain Language Summary of Publication review article from Future Oncology summarises what biosimilar medicines (biosimilars) are. This review explains biosimilar development and approval and also answers some important questions that people with cancer may have when taking biosimilars.

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This plain language review is based on several articles and websites, to see a full list of all the scientific articles and information that was referenced in this summary please see the ‘What scientific articles and information were referenced in this summary?’ section near the end of the PLSP (page 10).