New Hope for Pancreatic Cancer Patients with Experimental Pill

Researchers have reported positive results from a new pill designed to treat advanced pancreatic cancer. This development provides a much-needed advance for one of the deadliest cancer types.

Drug Offers Promising Results

Dr. Zev Wainberg from the University of California, Los Angeles, noted that while the pill does not cure cancer, it represents a significant step forward. The drug, daraxonrasib, targets a mutated protein that promotes tumor growth and is present in over 90% of pancreatic cancer cases.

The study involved 500 patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer resistant to previous treatments. Results published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that those taking daraxonrasib lived a median of 13.2 months, compared to 6.7 months for those receiving additional chemotherapy. This improvement in survival marks the first time a drug has shown a substantial benefit over chemotherapy for this condition.

Expert Reactions and Further Research

Dr. Rachna Shroff of the University of Arizona Cancer Center expressed emotional relief upon seeing the study results, emphasizing the treatment’s meaningful impact on patients’ lives. Recipients of the pill not only lived longer, but also experienced less pain and improved quality of life compared to those undergoing chemotherapy.

Dr. Brian Wolpin from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute suggested daraxonrasib could become a new standard for previously treated metastatic pancreatic cancer. Future research will explore its role in earlier stages of the disease and investigate its effectiveness in specific genetic subtypes.

Side Effects and Access

While the pill can cause severe rash and mouth sores, these side effects appear manageable. The study was funded by Revolution Medicines, and the FDA is fast-tracking the drug for review. An expanded access program is underway to provide the drug to qualifying patients.

Pancreatic Cancer Overview

Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most lethal cancers, often diagnosed late when it has already spread. The American Cancer Society estimates 67,000 new cases and over 52,000 deaths in the U.S. this year. The five-year survival rate is a mere 13%.

This new drug targets KRAS gene mutations, key drivers of pancreatic cancer. Previously considered “undruggable,” Revolution Medicines’ drug binds effectively to these mutations, hinting at a breakthrough in treatment.

Dr. Andrew Coveler of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, who wasn’t part of the study, acknowledges this as a transformative approach. Other therapies targeting specific KRAS mutations and vaccines to prevent cancer recurrence are also in development.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.