Can Ramucirumab be used for lung cancer?

The anti-angiogenic drug Ramucirumab is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of a variety of malignancies, including those during or after platinum-based chemotherapy. As a second-line treatment for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), ramucirumab is an anti-VEGFR2 drug that has recently increased its treatment options.

Angiogenesis is widely considered an essential feature of cancer, intrinsically mediating tumor survival and progression, and results fromPhase III trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of this combination, with beneficial effects on progression-free and overall survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. A greater degree of benefit was observed in patients with aggressive tumor behavior. Treatment withramucirumab is generally tolerated, however there is the potential for serious toxicity. Adverse events reported with this combination include neutropenia, febrile neutropenia, and hypertension. Additionally, there is an inherent risk of bleeding due to the mechanism of action.

Ramosizumab is usually an injection preparation. The original drug has been on the market in China, but it has been on the market for a short time and has not been included in the medical insurance. The price of 100mg/10mL per box may be around RMB 5,000, and the price of 500mg/50mL per box may be around RMB 17,000. The price of the original Hong Kong version of 100mg/10mL may be around RMB 8,400 per box, and the price of 500mg/50mL per box may be around RMB 28,000 (the price may fluctuate due to exchange rates), and their pharmaceutical ingredients are basically the same. Currently, there are no generic drugs produced and marketed overseas. For specific prices and drug information, please consult Yaode’s medical consultant.