Significant response to ramucirumab monotherapy in chemotherapy‑resistant recurrent alpha‑fetoprotein‑producing gastric cancer: A case report

  • Authors:
    • Yasuhiro Arakawa
    • Miho Tamura
    • Keisuke Aiba
    • Kazuhiko Morikawa
    • Daisuke Aizawa
    • Masahiro Ikegami
    • Masami Yuda
    • Katsunori Nishikawa
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: June 30, 2017     https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2017.6514
  • Pages: 3039-3042
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Abstract

Alpha‑fetoprotein (AFP)‑producing gastric cancer (AFPGC) is a relatively rare type of gastric cancer characterized by a high incidence of liver and lymph node metastases, and a poor prognosis. Few advanced AFPGC cases treated successfully with conventional chemotherapy have been reported thus far. Although the development of molecular‑targeted therapy has improved the prognosis of various types of cancer, there are currently no tailored therapies for AFPGC. In the present report, the case of a chemotherapy‑resistant recurrent AFPGC patient who exhibited a significant response to ramucirumab monotherapy is presented. Following six doses of ramucirumab, a metastatic lymph node displayed central necrosis, and the patient's serum AFP levels decreased from 12,800 to 225 ng/ml. AFPGC is known to have increased vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and rich neovascularization. Furthermore, in the present case, tumor cells were positive for VEGF. Ramucirumab is a monoclonal antibody for VEGF receptor‑2 and the first anti‑angiogenic drug approved for the treatment of advanced gastric cancer. However, the clinical efficacy of ramucirumab in patients with AFPGC has not been reported previously. The present report suggests that AFP production in gastric cancer can be a predictor for the response to anti‑angiogenic drugs such as ramucirumab.
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September-2017
Volume 14 Issue 3

Print ISSN: 1792-1074
Online ISSN:1792-1082

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Spandidos Publications style
Arakawa Y, Tamura M, Aiba K, Morikawa K, Aizawa D, Ikegami M, Yuda M and Nishikawa K: Significant response to ramucirumab monotherapy in chemotherapy‑resistant recurrent alpha‑fetoprotein‑producing gastric cancer: A case report. Oncol Lett 14: 3039-3042, 2017
APA
Arakawa, Y., Tamura, M., Aiba, K., Morikawa, K., Aizawa, D., Ikegami, M. ... Nishikawa, K. (2017). Significant response to ramucirumab monotherapy in chemotherapy‑resistant recurrent alpha‑fetoprotein‑producing gastric cancer: A case report. Oncology Letters, 14, 3039-3042. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2017.6514
MLA
Arakawa, Y., Tamura, M., Aiba, K., Morikawa, K., Aizawa, D., Ikegami, M., Yuda, M., Nishikawa, K."Significant response to ramucirumab monotherapy in chemotherapy‑resistant recurrent alpha‑fetoprotein‑producing gastric cancer: A case report". Oncology Letters 14.3 (2017): 3039-3042.
Chicago
Arakawa, Y., Tamura, M., Aiba, K., Morikawa, K., Aizawa, D., Ikegami, M., Yuda, M., Nishikawa, K."Significant response to ramucirumab monotherapy in chemotherapy‑resistant recurrent alpha‑fetoprotein‑producing gastric cancer: A case report". Oncology Letters 14, no. 3 (2017): 3039-3042. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2017.6514