[Ramucirumab - a new anticancer agent]

Ramucirumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody against vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2, which inhibits the binding of vascular endothelial growth factor-A, -C and -D ligands. Furthermore it blocks the ligand stimulated activation of p44/p42 mitogen activated protein kinases, thus neutralizing the ligand induced proliferation and migration of human endothelial cells. Based on the results of the REGARD (Ramucirumab monotherapy for previously treated advanced gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma) and the RAINBOW (Ramucirumab plus paclitaxel versus placebo plus paclitaxel in patients with previously treated advanced gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma) studies ramucirumab was approved for 2nd line treatment as monotherapy and in combination with paclitaxel for patients with local relapse and unresectable or metastatic gastric cancer (including gastro-esophegal junction adenocarcinoma). Based on the results, in advanced solid malignancies, ramucirumab may prolong progression free survival and overall survival, although it may increase the risk of all adverse events (fatigue, neutropenia, haemorrhage, nausea, stomatitis). The authors review the clinical studies of ramucirumab. Orv. Hetil., 2016, 157(40), 1587-1594.