Ramucirumab for previously treated locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer

What has NICE said?

Ramucirumab (Cyramza), with docetaxel, is not recommended for treating locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer in adults whose disease has worsened after platinum-based chemotherapy.

What does this mean for me?

Ramucirumab should not normally be prescribed on the NHS for previously treated locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer. Your doctor should talk to you about other treatment options available to you.

If you are already taking ramucirumab for previously treated locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer, you should be able to continue taking it until you and your doctor decide it is the right time to stop.

The condition and the treatment

Lung cancer is grouped into 2 main types depending on how it looks under the microscope: small-cell lung cancer and non-small-cell lung cancer. Locally advanced or metastatic cancer means that it has spread to surrounding tissues or to other parts of the body.

Ramucirumab stops tumours growing by cutting off the blood supply to the cancer cells.

NHS Choices may be a good place to find out more.

These organisations can give you advice and support:

NICE is not responsible for the quality or accuracy of any information or advice provided by these organisations.

ISBN: 978-1-4731-2030-3