A pancreatic cancer pill, Daraxonrasib, nearly doubled median survival in patients with previously treated metastatic disease, researchers reported at the American Society for Clinical Oncology meeting in Chicago.
Patients who took daraxonrasib lived a median of 13.2 months. Chemotherapy patients lived a median of 6.7 months, according to the trial results.
The study randomly assigned about 500 patients to receive either the daily experimental pill or more chemotherapy. All had metastatic pancreatic cancer that had stopped responding to earlier treatment.
Daraxonrasib targets RAS mutations, including KRAS changes that drive most pancreatic cancer cases. The drug blocks a mutated protein that helps tumours grow.
Dr. Zev Wainberg of the University of California, Los Angeles, helped lead the study. He said the drug was “not curing the cancer” but called the result “a very large step forward.”
Dr. Brian Wolpin of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute presented the findings. He said the drug should become a new standard of care for previously treated metastatic pancreatic cancer.
Researchers said patients on daraxonrasib reported less pain and better quality of life as tumours shrank. The main side effects that could affect use included rash and mouth sores.
Revolution Medicines funded the study. The Food and Drug Administration plans an expedited review and has allowed expanded access for eligible patients.
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The American Cancer Society estimates about 67,000 new pancreatic cancer cases in the United States this year. It also estimates more than 52,000 deaths from the disease.
