Drug updated on 4/17/2024
| Dosage Form | Injection (intravenous; 800 mg/50 mL) |
| Drug Class | Epidermal growth factor receptor antagonists |
| Ongoing and Completed Studies | ClinicalTrials.gov |
Indication
- Indicated in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin, for first-line treatment of patients with metastatic squamous non-small cell lung cancer.
Summary
- Necitumab (Portrazza) is indicated in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin for first-line treatment of patients with metastatic squamous non-small cell lung cancer.
- A total of three systematic reviews/meta-analyses were reviewed, providing insights into the effectiveness and safety profile of necitumumab (Portrazza).
- The addition of necitumumab to standard chemotherapy showed a statistically significant improvement in overall survival among stage IV NSCLC patients, although no significant improvements were noted for progression-free survival or objective response rate.
- Subgroup analysis revealed that the benefit from necitumumab was more pronounced in patients exhibiting high epidermal growth factor receptor expression; however, it did not show any benefit for those with non-squamous NSCLC.
- Adverse effects associated with necitumumb include skin rash and hypomagnesemia which are significantly higher than when using chemotherapy alone; these adverse events should be considered by health professionals when prescribing this drug regimen.
- Despite limited studies focusing exclusively on squamous NSCLC, evidence suggests that combining carboplatin + S-1 and necitumuamb may provide value in terms of overall survival compared to other treatments but further research is needed due to wide credible intervals reported within the studies analyzed.
Product Monograph / Prescribing Information
| Document Title | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Portrazza (necitumumab) prescribing information. | 2015 | Lilly USA, LLC, Indianapolis, IN |
Systematic Reviews / Meta-Analyses
| Document Title | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Necitumumab plus platinum-based chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone as first-line treatment for stage IV non-small cell lung cancer: a meta-analysis based on randomized controlled trials. | 2021 | Annals of Palliative Medicine |
| Effects of adding necitumumab to first-line chemotherapy in patients with stage IV non-small-cell lung cancer: Meta-analysis | 2020 | Journal of oncology pharmacy practice |
| First-line treatment of patients with advanced or metastatic squamous non-small cell lung cancer: systematic review and network meta-analysis. | 2018 | Journal of Thoracic Disease |