Multicenter phase 2 trial of ramucirumab plus chemotherapy for previously untreated metastatic thymic carcinoma

Metastatic thymic carcinoma (mTC) is an aggressive tumor, with carboplatin plus paclitaxel chemotherapy as first-line treatment of choice. The multicenter phase 2 RELEVENT trial in Italy evaluated the combination of ramucirumab with carboplatin and paclitaxel chemotherapy for previously untreated mTC. The combination resulted in objective response rate of 80%, median progression-free survival 18.1 months, and median overall survival 43.8 months. The safety profile was manageable. The authors conclude that the addition of ramucirumab to carboplatin plus paclitaxel resulted in superior outcomes compared with historical controls.