Ramucirumab (Eli LillY) success iN Phase III trial for Gastric Cancer

The REGARD trial, a Phase III study of ramucirumab (IMC-1121B) from Eli Lilly, in patients with metastatic Gastric Cancer, met its primary endpoint of improved overall survival and also showed prolonged progression-free survival. This trial is the first Phase III data read-out for ramucirumab. The REGARD trial compared ramucirumab and best supportive care to placebo and best supportive care as a second-line treatment in patients with metastatic gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancers. The most frequent adverse reaction (any grade) occurring at a higher rate on the ramucirumab arm was hypertension (12%). Other adverse reactions ( > 5%) occurring at a higher rate on the ramucirumab arm compared to the placebo arm were diarrhea and headache.