On 27 June 2019, the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA’s) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) adopted a positive opinion recommending a change to the terms of the marketing authorisation for the medicinal product ramucirumab (Cyramza).
The marketing authorisation holder for this medicinal product is Eli Lilly Nederland B.V.
The CHMP adopted a new indication as follows:
“Cyramza monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced or unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma who have a serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP) of ≥ 400 ng/ml and who have been previously treated with sorafenib”.
For information, the full indications for Cyramza will be as follows (new text in bold):
Gastric cancer
Cyramza in combination with paclitaxel is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced gastric cancer or gastro-oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma with disease progression after prior platinum and fluoropyrimidine chemotherapy.
Cyramza monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced gastric cancer or gastro-oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma with disease progression after prior platinum or fluoropyrimidine chemotherapy, for whom treatment in combination with paclitaxel is not appropriate.
Colorectal cancer
Cyramza, in combination with FOLFIRI (irinotecan, folinic acid, and 5 fluorouracil), is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic colorectal cancer with disease progression on or after prior therapy with bevacizumab, oxaliplatin and a fluoropyrimidine.
Non-small cell lung cancer
Cyramza in combination with docetaxel is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer with disease progression after platinum-based chemotherapy.
Hepatocellular carcinoma
Cyramza monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced or unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma who have a serum AFP of ≥ 400 ng/ml and who have been previously treated with sorafenib.
Detailed recommendations for the use of this product will be described in the updated summary of product characteristics, which will be published in the revised European public assessment report, and will be available in all official European Union languages after a decision on this change to the marketing authorisation has been granted by the European Commission.