
The
Lancet Oncology recently published the results of a
phase II clinical trial showing Gemcitabine used in line with the antibody Ramucirumab yielded
better clinical outcomes for malignant pleural mesothelioma than Gemcitabine
used alone.
The study involved participants that had experienced disease progression
after utilizing the traditional first-line treatment of pemetrexed and
cisplatin chemotherapy.
The response rate was 73% for patients receiving Gemcitabine used in combination
with Ramucirumab vs. 52% for those treating with just Gemcitabine. Median
overall survival was 13.8 months vs. 7.5 months respectively.
Ramucirumab has already been approved for second-line treatment of colorectal
cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, gastric adenocarcinoma and hepatocellular
carcinoma.