Chicago – Results from an international clinical trial suggest that a new drug, daraxxonrasib, could be a promising step forward in treating advanced pancreatic cancer. The drug was found to double the median survival period compared to standard chemotherapy.
The study, led by American researchers and presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in Chicago, included about 500 patients from North America, Europe, and Asia. Most participants had specific mutations in the KRAS gene, which is linked to the growth of pancreatic tumors.
Findings showed that patients who received daraxxonrasib had a median survival of around 13 months. This compares to only six months for those treated with conventional chemotherapy.
Anna Jewell, Director of Services, Research and Innovation at Pancreatic Cancer UK, described the results as “one of the most exciting advances in pancreatic cancer research in years.” She noted that extending patients’ lives gives them precious extra time with family and loved ones.
The new drug targets mutations in the KRAS gene, found in more than 90 percent of pancreatic cancer cases. It works by blocking signals that drive cancer cell growth and spread. The study also indicated that 43.6 percent of patients experienced severe side effects from the pill, which is taken once daily. In the chemotherapy group, that rate was higher, at 57.5 percent.
Experts say these results are an important step toward developing targeted therapies that address the genetic mutations driving cancer. Further research is underway to assess the long-term effectiveness of the drug and whether it can be included in future treatment protocols.
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most deadly and difficult-to-treat cancers, often diagnosed at a late stage due to subtle early symptoms. More than half of patients die within the first three months of diagnosis. Key symptoms include jaundice, itchy skin, changes in urine and stool color, unexplained weight loss, persistent fatigue, and fever.