title: Ramucirumab in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.
abstract: Therapeutic options for treating Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) have recently increased. Ramucirumab (Cyramza), an anti-angionenic agent was approved in 2014 for treatment of several malignancies, including second-line treatment of patients with NSCLC with disease progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Areas covered: We performed a comprehensive search of the literature focused on clinical trials with use of ramucirumab, targeting its evolution in the treatment of NSCLC. This review summarizes the results regarding its safety and efficacy. Expert opinion: Angiogenesis has been widely recognized as a quintessential feature in cancer, intrinsically mediating tumor survival and progression. Ramucirumab, an anti-VEGFR2 agent, combined with docetaxel, was FDA-approved for NSCLC patients. Results from a phase III trial have demonstrated the usefulness of this combination, with benefits in progression free survival and overall survival for NSCLC patients. A greater magnitude of benefit is seen in patients with aggressive tumor behavior. Treatment with ramucirumab is generally tolerable, however, there is potential for severe toxicity. Adverse events reported with this combination include neutropenia, febrile neutropenia and hypertension. Also, there is the intrinsic risk of bleeding resulting from the mechanism of action. As such, adverse events should be identified timely, so drug-related complications can be prevented.
authors.affiliation: a Thoracic Oncology Unit , Instituto Nacional de Cancerologia.
authors.forename: Oscar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Arrieta
authors.affiliation: a Thoracic Oncology Unit , Instituto Nacional de Cancerologia.
authors.forename: Zyanya Lucia
authors.initials: ZL
authors.lastname: Zatarain-Barrón
authors.affiliation: b Clinical and Traslational Oncology Group , Clínica del Country , Bogotá , Colombia.|c Foundation for Clinical and Applied Cancer Research - FICMAC , Bogotá , Colombia.
authors.forename: Andrés F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Cardona
authors.affiliation: a Thoracic Oncology Unit , Instituto Nacional de Cancerologia.|d Comprehensive Cancer Center , Médica Sur Clinic and Foundation , Mexico.
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carmona
authors.affiliation: a Thoracic Oncology Unit , Instituto Nacional de Cancerologia.
authors.forename: Mariana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lopez-Mejia
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000098:blood supply / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D015996:Survival Rate; D000096662:Ramucirumab
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000096662:Ramucirumab
keywords: Ramucirumab; adverse effects; angiogenesis; non-small cell lung cancer