Dr. Abernethy Discusses Anamorelin as a Treatment Option for Patients with Cancer Anorexia-Cachexia

Amy P. Abernethy, MD, PhD, associate professor, School of Nursing, director, Duke Center for Learning Health Care, Duke University School of Medicine, discusses anamorelin for the treatment of cancer anorexia-cachexia.

Abernethy says the management of cancer anorexia-cachexia is one of the areas of unmet need. Anorexia-cachexia correlates with worse survival and the inability to receive chemotherapy, it also has a negative quality of life impact.

Anamorelin is a new, oral, selective ghrelin receptor agonist intended to treat the effects of cancer anorexia-cachexia, Abernethy says. The ROMANA program, two phase III trials examining anamorelin, has enrolled approximately 1000 NSCLC patients.

After completing 12 weeks of treatment in the ROMANA 1 or 2 studies, the majority of patients maintained an eligible performance score and chose to continue in the optional extension study. Efficacy and safety results are anticipated to be released by the end of the year, Abernethy says.