Anamorelin Efficacy in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Patients With Cachexia: Insights From ROMANA 1 and ROMANA 2

Cancer cachexia presents a significant challenge, but the ghrelin agonist anamorelin shows promise as a potential treatment. This study examined whether the baseline systemic inflammatory response (SIR) (measured by the modified Glasgow Prognostic Score [mGPS]), low BMI or greater weight loss, was associated with a differential treatment effect of anamorelin in people with cachexia and non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

ROMANA 1 and ROMANA 2 were double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised Phase 3 trials that enrolled people with inoperable stage III/IV NSCLC with cachexia (≥ 5% weight loss within 6 months or body mass index [BMI] < 20 kg/m²). Patients were randomised 2:1 to anamorelin 100 mg once daily or placebo, for 12 weeks. This is a post hoc analysis of efficacy endpoints (body weight and body composition: lean body mass [LBM] and fat mass [FM]), stratified by baseline mGPS, BMI and weight loss and measured in the modified intent-to-treat pooled population.

Seven hundred ninety-five patients had available data. Anamorelin improved body weight (p < 0.001) and body composition parameters (LBM and FM, p < 0.01) in all mGPS groups. In patients with mGPS = 2, anamorelin increased weight > 5% and improved hand grip strength (HGS) and the Functional Assessment of Anorexia/Cachexia Therapy Anorexia/Cachexia Subscale (FAACT A/CS). In patients with BMI < 20 kg/m² at baseline or weight loss ≥ 10% in the prior 6 months, anamorelin led to significant increases in body weight from baseline (p < 0.001) versus placebo. Patients with weight loss ≥ 10% in the prior 6 months showed the highest improvements in LBM (p < 0.001). Patients with BMI < 20 kg/m² at baseline showed the highest improvements in FM (p < 0.001).

Anamorelin improved body composition parameters in all patients, as well as physical function and symptom burden, particularly in patients with systemic inflammation, BMI < 20 kg/m² and weight loss ≥ 10%. These results highlight that the anabolic mechanisms of anamorelin are more effective in high-risk groups.

NCT identifiers: ROMANA 1: NCT01387269; ROMANA 2: NCT01387282.