RAINBOW: A global, phase 3, double-blind study of ramucirumab (RAM) plus paclitaxel (PTX) versus placebo (PL) plus PTX in the treatment of advanced gastric and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma following disease progression on first-line platinum- and fluoropyrimidine-containing combination therapy—An age-group analysis.

Abstract

11 Background: RAM is a human IgG1 monoclonal antibody VEGF-R2 antagonist. The RAINBOW trial demonstrated that RAM added to PTX significantly improved overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS), and objective response rates (ORR) in 2nd-line gastric and GEJ adenocarcinoma patients (pts). Outcomes are reported by pts aged <65 and ≥65 yrs. Methods: Pts with advanced gastric and GEJ adenocarcinoma after disease progression on platinum- and fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy were randomized 1:1 to receive RAM (8 mg/kg) or placebo (PL) on days 1 and 15 plus PTX 80 mg/m2IV on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28-day cycle. Eligible pts had ECOG PS ≤ 1 and adequate organ function. OS was the primary endpoint. Secondary endpoints included PFS, ORR, and safety. Results: Baseline characteristics were generally well balanced. Outcomes are summarized in the Table. The incidence of Grade ≥3 adverse events (AEs) was higher in the RAM+PTX arms for both age groups and similar across age groups. Grade ≥3 AEs occurring in ≥10% of pts and at higher rate in the RAM+PTX arm, and febrile neutropenia are shown in the Table. Conclusions: RAM+PTX conferred similar improvements over PL+PTX for OS, PFS, and ORR in both age groups. Toxicity profiles were similar in both groups, although a relatively higher incidence of Grade ≥3 neutropenia and leukopenia in pts ≥65 years was noted. [Table: see text]