Efficacy

Efficacy of Cyramza (Ramucirumab) in Lung Cancer

Cyramza (ramucirumab) is a monoclonal antibody that targets the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2), which can inhibit the blood supply to tumors and is approved for use in various cancers, including lung cancer. Specifically, for lung cancer, ramucirumab has shown efficacy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In a phase III clinical trial known as REVEL, ramucirumab, in combination with docetaxel, demonstrated a significant improvement in overall survival compared to docetaxel alone in patients with metastatic NSCLC who had progressed during or after platinum-based chemotherapy. The addition of ramucirumab to docetaxel also led to an improvement in progression-free survival.

Patients treated with the combination of ramucirumab and docetaxel experienced a median overall survival of 10.5 months compared to 9.1 months for those who received docetaxel alone. Furthermore, the median progression-free survival was 4.5 months for the ramucirumab group versus 3.0 months for the control group. These results indicate that ramucirumab can be an effective second-line treatment for patients with advanced NSCLC, particularly when other treatments have failed.

Efficacy of Zepzelca (Lurbinectedin) in Lung Cancer

Zepzelca (lurbinectedin) is a newer chemotherapeutic agent that interferes with the transcription process essential for cell division and DNA repair, leading to cancer cell death. It has been granted accelerated approval by the FDA for the treatment of adults with metastatic small cell lung cancer (SCLC) with disease progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. The approval was based on the overall response rate and duration of response observed in a multicenter, open-label, multi-cohort study.

In this study, lurbinectedin showed an overall response rate of 35% in patients with relapsed SCLC, with a median duration of response of 5.3 months. These results suggest that lurbinectedin can provide a benefit for patients with SCLC who have limited treatment options after first-line therapy. While the accelerated approval was based on response rates, continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.