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Abstract
Ramucirumab (Cyramza®), a fully human anti-VEGFR-2 monoclonal antibody, has been approved as monotherapy for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and α-fetoprotein levels ≥ 400 ng/mL who have been treated with sorafenib. Ramucirumab significantly prolonged overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) relative to placebo in this population in the randomized, double-blind phase 3 REACH 2 trial. These benefits were seen in key prespecified subgroups based on demographic and disease characteristics. Ramucirumab had an acceptable tolerability profile and manageable safety profile in these patients, with the majority of treatment-related adverse events being mild or moderate in severity. The safety profile of ramucirumab was consistent with that expected for agents targeting the VEGF/VEGFR axis. Currently, ramucirumab is the only therapy specifically tested in patients with α-fetoprotein levels ≥ 400 ng/mL, which is associated with an aggressive disease and poor prognosis. Therefore, ramucirumab is an important treatment option for patients with HCC and α-fetoprotein levels ≥ 400 ng/mL who have been treated with sorafenib.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yahiya Y Syed
- Springer Nature, Private Bag 65901, Mairangi Bay, Auckland, 0754, New Zealand.
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Debeuckelaere C, Murgioni S, Lonardi S, Girardi N, Alberti G, Fano C, Gallimberti S, Magro C, Ahcene-Djaballah S, Daniel F, Fassan M, Prenen H, Loupakis F. Ramucirumab: the long and winding road toward being an option for mCRC treatment. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2019; 19:399-409. [PMID: 30917706 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2019.1600505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the main causes of cancer-related morbidity and mortality worldwide. Mortality is most often attributable to metastatic disease. Despite the progress achieved so far, life expectancy continues to be limited in most patients. Ramucirumab, a most recent antiangiogenic drug, is vying in the race to metastatic CRC (mCRC) treatment since its approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), based on the results of the RAISE study. AREAS COVERED This article reviews the role of ramucirumab in mCRC, including clinical indication, safety issues, and future perspectives. EXPERT OPINION The use of Ramucirumab in clinical practice is still limited, probably due to economic burden and the lack of specific biomarkers. Future efforts will be addressed to improve our knowledge in the use of this drug and better guide us in patients' care.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sabina Murgioni
- b Department of Oncology, Unit of Oncology 1 , Veneto Institute of Oncology, Scientific Institute for Research and Healthcare (IRCCS) , Padua , Italy
| | - Sara Lonardi
- b Department of Oncology, Unit of Oncology 1 , Veneto Institute of Oncology, Scientific Institute for Research and Healthcare (IRCCS) , Padua , Italy
| | - Noemi Girardi
- c Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology , University of Padua , Padua , Italy
| | - Giulia Alberti
- b Department of Oncology, Unit of Oncology 1 , Veneto Institute of Oncology, Scientific Institute for Research and Healthcare (IRCCS) , Padua , Italy
- c Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology , University of Padua , Padua , Italy
| | - Carolina Fano
- d Research Nurses Coordinating Center, Unit of Oncology 1 , Veneto Institute of Oncology, Scientific Institute for Research and Healthcare (IRCCS) , Padua , Italy
| | - Sara Gallimberti
- d Research Nurses Coordinating Center, Unit of Oncology 1 , Veneto Institute of Oncology, Scientific Institute for Research and Healthcare (IRCCS) , Padua , Italy
| | - Cristina Magro
- d Research Nurses Coordinating Center, Unit of Oncology 1 , Veneto Institute of Oncology, Scientific Institute for Research and Healthcare (IRCCS) , Padua , Italy
| | - Selma Ahcene-Djaballah
- b Department of Oncology, Unit of Oncology 1 , Veneto Institute of Oncology, Scientific Institute for Research and Healthcare (IRCCS) , Padua , Italy
| | - Francesca Daniel
- b Department of Oncology, Unit of Oncology 1 , Veneto Institute of Oncology, Scientific Institute for Research and Healthcare (IRCCS) , Padua , Italy
- e Clinical Oncology, Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine , S. Anna University Hospital , Ferrara , Italy
| | - Matteo Fassan
- f Department of Medicine, Pathology and Cytopathology Unit , Padua University Hospital , Padua , Italy
| | - Hans Prenen
- a Department of Oncology , University Hospital Antwerp , Edegem , Belgium
- g Center for Oncological Research , Antwerp University , Edegem , Belgium
| | - Fotios Loupakis
- b Department of Oncology, Unit of Oncology 1 , Veneto Institute of Oncology, Scientific Institute for Research and Healthcare (IRCCS) , Padua , Italy
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3
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Abstract
Advanced urothelial cancer (UC) is a lethal disease despite current advances in systemic therapy, including platinum chemotherapy combinations and immune checkpoint inhibition. Tumor angiogenesis is involved in UC growth and metastatic progression. Proangiogenic signaling through the VEGFR is a key process in UC with prognostic significance. Targeting of VEGFR2 with the monoclonal antibody ramucirumab has been tested in various different tumor types. In this review, we discuss the development of the drug in the context of its preclinical and clinical use with a focus on UC. Improvements in our ability to predict responses and resistance are key for maximizing its efficacy and selecting the most appropriate combinations with other active agents.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aileen Lee
- Division of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Charlene Thomas
- Division of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Ryan Walsh
- Division of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Scott T Tagawa
- Division of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Department of Urology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
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