Ramucirumab plus paclitaxel versus placebo plus paclitaxel in patients with previously treated advanced gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma (RAINBOW): a double-blind, randomised phase 3 trial

RCT in 665 patients previously treated for advanced gastric cancer found combination of ramucirumab (monoclonal antibody VEGFR-2 antagonist) with paclitaxel increases overall survival vs. placebo plus paclitaxel (median 9.6 vs 7.4 months; HR 0.807; 95% CI, 0.678—0.962; p=0.017).

A comment article notes that ramucirumab is the first molecularly targeted agent proven to be effective in second-line therapy for advanced gastric or gastro-oesophageal junctional adenocarcinoma in combination with chemotherapy.

 

Ramucirumab is licensed in the US to treat patients with advanced stomach cancer or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. It was filed for approval in the EU in Oct 13 for use as a single-agent treatment for advanced gastric cancer following disease progression after initial chemotherapy.