Ramucirumab and paclitaxel in patients with gastric cancer and prior trastuzumab: subgroup analysis from RAINBOW study

Aim: This subgroup analysis of the RAINBOW study evaluated the efficacy and safety of ramucirumab in patients with gastric cancer/gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma who received prior trastuzumab therapy. Patients & methods: Of adult patients enrolled in the RAINBOW study, 39 had received prior trastuzumab therapy. Of these, 20 patients were treated with ramucirumab plus paclitaxel and 19 patients with placebo plus paclitaxel within the RAINBOW trial. Results: Overall survival was longer with ramucirumab plus paclitaxel (11.4 months; 95% CI: 7.0-17.9) versus placebo plus paclitaxel (7.0 months; 95% CI: 3.4-14.6), hazard ratio: 0.68 (0.33-1.41); p = 0.30. Longer progression-free survival, higher objective response were observed in ramucirumab combination group. Conclusion: Ramucirumab plus paclitaxel demonstrated efficacy benefits with manageable safety profile in a subgroup of patients pretreated with trastuzumab.