Cyramza (ramucirumab) vs Zepzelca (lurbinectedin)

Cyramza (ramucirumab) vs Zepzelca (lurbinectedin)

Cyramza (ramucirumab) is a monoclonal antibody designed to target and block the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2), which can inhibit the blood supply to tumors and is commonly used in the treatment of various types of cancers, including gastric cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. Zepzelca (lurbinectedin) is a newer oncology medication that works by binding to DNA and inhibiting the transcription process in cancer cells, leading to cell death; it is approved for the treatment of metastatic small cell lung cancer after disease progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. When deciding between Cyramza and Zepzelca, a patient should consider factors such as the type of cancer being treated, the specific medical history and treatment goals, as well as the potential side effects and the advice of their healthcare provider.

Difference between Cyramza and Zepzelca

Metric Cyramza (ramucirumab) Zepzelca (lurbinectedin)
Generic name ramucirumab lurbinectedin
Indications Gastric cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, colorectal cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma Small cell lung cancer
Mechanism of action Angiogenesis inhibitor; VEGFR-2 antagonist Alkylating agent; binds to DNA and inhibits transcription
Brand names Cyramza Zepzelca
Administrative route IV infusion IV infusion
Side effects Hypertension, diarrhea, headache, hyponatremia Myelosuppression, fatigue, increased liver enzymes, nausea
Contraindications Hypersensitivity to ramucirumab or any of its excipients Hypersensitivity to lurbinectedin or any of its excipients
Drug class Monoclonal antibody Alkylating drug
Manufacturer Eli Lilly and Company Pharma Mar, S.A.

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.

Regulatory Agency Approvals

Cyramza
  • European Medical Agency (EMA), European Union
  • Food and Drug Administration (FDA), USA
  • Health Canada
  • Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australia
  • Medsafe (NZ)
Zepzelca
  • Food and Drug Administration (FDA), USA

Access Cyramza or Zepzelca today

If Cyramza or Zepzelca are not approved or available in your country (e.g. due to supply issues), you can access them via Everyone.org.

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