Ramucirumab + erlotinib approved by FDA for first-line metastatic NSCLC

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin
Share on email
Share on print

Cyramza (Ramucirumab) was approved by FDA in combination with erlotinib for first-line treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer with epidermal growth factor receptor exon 19 deletions or exon 21 (L858R) mutations.

Cyramza is sponsored by Eli Lilly and Company.

Efficacy was evaluated in RELAY (NCT02411448), a multinational, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study in patients with previously untreated metastatic NSCLC whose tumors have EGFR exon 19 deletion or exon 21 (L858R) substitution mutations. A total of 449 patients were randomized (1:1) to receive either ramucirumab 10 mg/kg or placebo every 2 weeks as an intravenous infusion, in combination with erlotinib 150 mg orally once daily, until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

The major efficacy outcome measure was progression-free survival as assessed by the investigator (RECIST 1.1). Additional efficacy outcome measures included overall survival, overall response rate, and duration of response. Median PFS was 19.4 months in the ramucirumab plus erlotinib arm compared with 12.4 months in the placebo plus erlotinib arm (HR 0.59; 95% CI: 0.46, 0.76; p<0.0001).

ORR was 76% in the ramucirumab plus erlotinib arm and 75% in the placebo plus erlotinib arm, with median DoR of 18.0 months and 11.1 months, respectively. At the time of the final analysis of PFS, OS data were not mature as only 26% of the deaths required for the final analysis had occurred (HR 0.83; 95% CI: 0.53, 1.30).

Table of Contents

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN

In April 2025, announcements from the two most influential biomedical agencies in the US, the FDA and the NIH, declared that both will seek to reduce and minimize animal-based testing and experimentation. These declarations sparked joy in some circles, and deep concern in others that was reflected in a 28% fall in the share price of Charles River Labs (NYSE: NYSE:CRL). 
Over the past three decades, cancer genetics has transformed precision oncology. Germline testing has advanced from single-gene Sanger sequencing to parallel sequencing of hundreds of genes, while tumor (somatic) testing has expanded with the rise of targeted therapies based on point mutations, copy number changes and other alterations. 

Never miss an issue!

Get alerts for our award-winning coverage in your inbox.

Login