HGCSG 1603: Phase II study of ramucirumab and irinotecan combination therapy as second-line treatment in patients with metastatic or advanced gastric cancer.

Abstract

TPS183 Background: As second-line chemotherapy for gastric cancer, a survival benefit has been shown in several clinical trials. Irinotecan and taxanes are recommended as second-line regimen. However, therapeutic outcomes have remained unsatisfactory and more effective treatment are expected. Ramucirumab (RAM) is a fully human IgG1 monoclonal vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) antibody that prevents ligand binding of VEGF-A, VEGF-C, and VEGF-D and the receptor-mediated pathway activation in endothelial cells, subsequently inhibiting neovascularization. In the REGARD study, RAM monotherapy for previously treated advanced gastric or gastro-esophageal junction adenocarcinoma improved median overall survival (mOS) compared with placebo. Moreover, in the RAINBOW study, RAM plus paclitaxel (PTX) versus placebo plus PTX, mOS showed significantly longer in RAM plus PTX group than in placebo plus PTX group. In contrast, there are no data on the efficacy of RAM and irinotecan in the second-line treatment for gastric cancer. The WJOG 4007 study demonstrated an equivalent efficacy between irinotecan and PTX. In this study, we propose to examine the efficacy of RAM plus irinotecan. Methods: This study is carried out as a multicenter, non-randomized, single arm, prospective, phase II study. The patients with metastatic or advanced gastric cancer that is refractory or intolerance to primary chemotherapy are eligible for this study. RAM and irinotecan combination therapy is administered every two weeks, which is continued until progression or emergence of adverse events requiring discontinuation. The primary endpoint is progression-free survival rate at six months, and the secondary endpoints are OS, progression-free survival, response rate, safety, and dose intensity for each drug. A total of 35 cases areplanned for registration. This study is registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network. Clinical trial information: UMIN000030372.