Investigational and not approved by the FDA. This page is educational information only. It is not medical advice and not a recommendation to use anything.

IndexedBuilt automatically from public databases on 2026-09-30. Not yet hand-reviewed by PLOBT.How this works →

Anamorelin

Investigational

Ghrelin receptor agonist

Also known as: Adlumiz, ONO-7643, RC-1291, anamorelina, anamoreline, ST-1291, anamorelinum

Evidence score

63/ 100

Moderate evidence

A real evidence base, with gaps

Regulatory standing. In clinical trials, not yet approved
Limited human data. Some human data exists, not conclusive
Registered human trials. 11 registered studies on ClinicalTrials.gov, most advanced Phase 3
1 cited source. Includes primary / regulatory sources

Computed with the same four public criteria as every profile. The human-evidence grade on an indexed profile is set automatically and may change when it is hand-reviewed. It is not a safety score, not a purity rating, and not medical advice, and not a claim that this compound treats, cures, or prevents any condition.

What it is

Anamorelin is an orally active, non-peptide small molecule that mimics ghrelin, a hormone that signals hunger. It is thought to act on the ghrelin receptor (GHSR-1a) to increase appetite and stimulate growth hormone release, which may influence body weight and muscle mass.

What the evidence shows

Automatic summaryLimited human data

Anamorelin is not FDA-approved. It has been studied in 11 registered human trials reaching Phase 3, mainly in cancer-related appetite and weight loss (cachexia), where studies reported gains in body weight and lean mass but did not show clear improvement in muscle strength or function.

Key facts

Molecular formula

C31H42N6O3

Molecular weight

546.7 g/mol

Registered human trials

Live from ClinicalTrials.gov, refreshed daily.

11registered studies

Phase 3most advanced phase

7completed (sample)

0recruiting (sample)

A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Anamorelin HCl for the Treatment of Malignancy Associated Weight Loss and Anorexia in Adult Patients With Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) - 1

Phase 3CompletedNCT03743051

Anamorelin HCl in the Treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer-Cachexia (NSCLC-C): An Extension Study (ROMANA 3)

Phase 3CompletedNCT01395914

Safety and Efficacy of Anamorelin HCl in Patients With Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer-Cachexia (ROMANA 1)

Phase 3CompletedNCT01387269

Anamorelin Hydrochloride in Reducing Anorexia in Patients With Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Phase 3Active Not RecruitingNCT03637816

Published literature

Live from Europe PMC. This is how much has been published, not how much is proven in humans.

180papers referencing Anamorelin

Anamorelin in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer and cachexia (ROMANA 1 and ROMANA 2): results from two randomised, double-blind, phase 3 trials.

Lancet Oncol2016

Prevalence, incidence and clinical impact of cachexia: facts and numbers-update 2014.

J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle2014

Anamorelin (ONO-7643) for the treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer and cachexia: Results from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study of Japanese patients (ONO-7643-04).

Cancer2018

Anamorelin for patients with cancer cachexia: an integrated analysis of two phase 2, randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind trials.

Lancet Oncol2015

Sources

Risks, side effects and study doses are only published on hand-reviewed profiles. Want this one reviewed, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.