2 The technology
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Description of the technology |
Ramucirumab (Cyramza, Eli Lilly and Company) is a fully human immunoglobulin G1 monoclonal antibody. It blocks the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor‑2, which plays an important role in the formation of new blood vessels in tumours. |
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Marketing authorisation |
Ramucirumab in combination with docetaxel for treating locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer in adults with disease progression after platinum-based chemotherapy. |
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Adverse reactions |
The summary of product characteristics includes the following very common adverse reactions: neutropenia, fatigue or asthenia, leukopenia, epistaxis, diarrhoea and stomatitis. For full details of adverse reactions and contraindications, see the summary of product characteristics. |
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Recommended dose and schedule |
It is administered intravenously in a hospital outpatient setting. The recommended dose of ramucirumab is 10 mg/kg on day 1 of a 21‑day cycle, before docetaxel infusion. |
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Price |
Ramucirumab costs £500 per 10‑ml vial (containing 100 mg ramucirumab) and £2,500 per 50‑ml vial (containing 500 mg ramucirumab). The company estimated that the mean cost of ramucirumab was £3,733 per cycle with an average of 6 treatment cycles. The average cost of a course of treatment is estimated to be approximately £22,400. Costs may vary in different settings because of negotiated procurement discounts. |