The efficacy of ramucirumab plus paclitaxel (n = 330) versus placebo plus paclitaxel (n = 335) was assessed in previously treated patients with advanced gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. The RAINBOW double-blind randomized phase III clinical trial reported a higher incidence of adverse events in patients on ramucirumab than in those receiving placebo. However, overall survival was significantly longer in the ramucirumab than the placebo group (median 9.6 versus 7.4 months, respectively; P = 0.017).