An experimental oral drug has nearly doubled overall survival rates for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer in a first-in-human trial [1].
These results represent a potential shift in treatment for one of the deadliest forms of cancer, where survival outlooks have remained dismal for decades [1, 2].
The drug, known as daraxonrasib, was developed by Revolution Medicine [1]. The trial focused on patients with RAS-mutated pancreatic cancer, enrolling 168 participants [3]. Researchers said overall survival rates saw approximately a two-fold increase compared with those receiving standard chemotherapy [1].
Clinical investigations were conducted at the University of Arizona Comprehensive Cancer Center, with Dr. Rachna Shroff serving as the associate director of clinical investigations [1, 2]. The results of the trial were reported on May 31, 2024 [2].
Pancreatic cancer is often difficult to treat because of its aggressive nature and the way it interacts with the immune system. The use of an oral medication like daraxonrasib aims to provide a more effective alternative to traditional chemotherapy, which often carries severe side effects, while extending the lives of those with advanced stages of the disease [1, 2].
Revolution Medicine, based in Chicago, led the development of the therapy [2]. The focus on RAS mutations is critical because these mutations are common drivers of growth in pancreatic tumors [3]. By targeting these specific mutations, the drug seeks to stop the cancer's progression more effectively than broad-spectrum treatments.
“Overall survival rates were nearly doubled compared with standard chemotherapy”
The success of daraxonrasib suggests that targeted therapies focusing on specific genetic mutations, such as RAS, may be more effective than general chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer. If these results hold in larger phase trials, it could transition the standard of care from broad cytotoxic drugs to precision medicine, potentially improving both the longevity and quality of life for patients with advanced diagnoses.
