title: Ramucirumab: first global approval.
abstract: Ramucirumab (Cyramza™ [US]), a fully human immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) monoclonal antibody that inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2), has been developed by Eli Lilly (formerly ImClone Systems) for the treatment of cancer. Ramucirumab has received its first global approval in the US for use as monotherapy in the treatment of advanced or metastatic gastric cancer or gastro-oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma in patients who experience disease progression on or after fluoropyrimidine- or platinum-containing chemotherapy. Ramucirumab is the first treatment to be approved by the US FDA for this setting. This article summarizes the milestones in the development of ramucirumab leading to this first approval for the treatment of gastric cancer and gastro-oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma.
authors.affiliation: Adis, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Raewyn M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Poole
authors.forename: Asha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vaidya
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018450:Disease Progression; D017277:Drug Approval; D004354:Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D004943:Esophagogastric Junction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D000096662:Ramucirumab
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2; D000096662:Ramucirumab; C000588866:KDR protein, human