A daily pill can double survival time for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, according to results from a clinical trial presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (Asco) annual meeting in Chicago. The drug, daraxonrasib, is being hailed as a 'gamechanger' by experts, offering a significant breakthrough for a cancer with notoriously poor outcomes.
The trial involved 500 patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. Those taking daraxonrasib lived an average of 13.2 months, compared to 6.6 to 6.7 months for those receiving chemotherapy. The drug also had fewer side effects. 'These results are landscape-changing,' said Dr Rachna Shroff of the University of Arizona Cancer Center, who was not involved in the study. 'We are seeing unprecedented survival.'
Daraxonrasib targets the Kras protein, which fuels nearly all pancreatic cancers. By gluing molecules together, it effectively shuts down the protein, stopping cancer growth. More than 90% of patients with the most common form of pancreatic cancer have a Kras mutation. Experts describe this as a 'holy grail' achievement in cancer research.
UK charities have welcomed the findings. Paula Hanford, chief executive of Pancreatic Cancer Action, called it 'one of the most significant developments in treatment' she has ever seen. Anna Jewell of Pancreatic Cancer UK said the results are 'exciting' but stressed the need to ensure the drug is made available to patients. 'More time with those we love most is truly priceless,' she added.
