title: Ramucirumab and its use in gastric cancer treatment.
abstract: The inhibition of the mechanisms of tumor neo-angiogenesis represents a milestone that in the last 10 years has seen the advent of numerous molecules to target action against the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). More recently, new molecules have been developed that inhibit tumor spread by the blockade of specific VEGF receptors (VEGFRs), thereby preventing the binding of a ligand to its receptor and the cascade of proliferative events downstream. Ramucirumab is a fully humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody that performs its action by blocking the isoform 2 of the VEGF receptor (VEGFR-2). Numerous preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated its activity in several solid tumors, demonstrating a remarkable efficacy in terms of progression-free survival and overall survival in addition to a favorable toxicity profile. This review analyzes in detail the role of ramucirumab in the treatment of advanced gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bronte
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Galvano
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cicero
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Passiglia
authors.affiliation: Phase I Unit-Early Clinical Trials, University of Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rolfo
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bazan
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy. antonio.russo@usa.net.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Russo
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; 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
keywords: Angiogenesis; Gastroesophageal junction cancer; Metastatic gastric cancer; Monoclonal antibody; Ramucirumab; VEGF receptors