Efficacy

Cyramza (Ramucirumab) Efficacy in Lung Cancer

Cyramza (ramucirumab) is a monoclonal antibody that targets the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2), which is involved in the formation of blood vessels that supply tumors with oxygen and nutrients (angiogenesis). In the context of lung cancer, specifically non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), Cyramza has shown efficacy in improving outcomes when used in combination with chemotherapy. Clinical trials have demonstrated that Cyramza, when added to docetaxel chemotherapy, improves overall survival in patients with advanced or metastatic NSCLC that has progressed after initial chemotherapy treatment. This benefit has been observed in a broad patient population, including those with different histological types of NSCLC.

The efficacy of Cyramza was established in a pivotal phase III clinical trial known as the REVEL study. This trial included patients with stage IV NSCLC who had disease progression during or after one prior platinum-based chemotherapy regimen. The addition of Cyramza to docetaxel was associated with a significant improvement in overall survival compared to docetaxel alone. Median overall survival was extended by 1.5 months, and progression-free survival was also improved with the combination therapy. These results support the use of Cyramza as a second-line treatment option for patients with advanced NSCLC.

Vizimpro (Dacomitinib) Efficacy in Lung Cancer

Vizimpro (dacomitinib) is an oral, small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor designed to selectively inhibit the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a pathway known to play a critical role in the development and progression of certain types of NSCLC. Vizimpro has demonstrated efficacy as a first-line treatment for patients with NSCLC harboring EGFR exon 19 deletions or exon 21 L858R substitution mutations, which are common driver mutations in this cancer type. In clinical trials, Vizimpro has shown a significant improvement in progression-free survival compared to other EGFR inhibitors, such as gefitinib, in patients with previously untreated, advanced NSCLC with EGFR mutations.

The key study underpinning the approval of Vizimpro was the ARCHER 1050, a phase III clinical trial. This study directly compared the efficacy of Vizimpro to gefitinib in the first-line treatment of patients with advanced NSCLC with EGFR mutations. Vizimpro significantly extended the median progression-free survival by several months compared to gefitinib. Moreover, the overall response rate was higher in patients treated with Vizimpro, indicating a greater proportion of patients experienced tumor shrinkage. These results establish Vizimpro as a potent option for the targeted treatment of EGFR-mutant NSCLC.