The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Cyramza (ramucriumab) as a treatment for patients with advanced stomach cancer and a form of cancer located where the esophagus meets the stomach.
Cyramza, marketed by Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly, is indicated for use in patients whose cancer cannot be surgically removed or has spread after being treated with other therapies. The drug blocks blood supply to tumors.
In clinical trials, patients treated with Cyramza experienced a median overall survival of 5.2 months, while patients receiving a placebo experienced a median overall survival of 3.8 months, according to an FDA news release. Patients receiving Cyramza also experienced delayed tumor growth, or progression-free survival, than patients receiving the placebo.
Cyramza is designated as an orphan product as it treats a rare disease or condition. Additionally, the FDA reviewed the drug under its priority review program, an expedited review for drugs that have the potential to provide a significant improvement in safety and effectiveness in treating a serious condition, according to the news release.
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