FDA approves landmark pancreatic cancer drug that's shown to improve survival

Key Points:

• The FDA has approved daraxonrasib, a new pill for advanced pancreatic cancer that targets mutated KRAS proteins responsible for tumor growth in over 90% of cases, marking a significant breakthrough in treatment.
• In clinical trials, patients taking daraxonrasib nearly doubled their median survival time to 13.2 months compared to 6.7 months with chemotherapy, and experienced fewer severe side effects such as skin rash and digestive issues.
• The drug, sold under the brand name Rasonque by Revolution Medicines, will cost about $39,800 for a one-month supply and received expedited FDA approval more than six months ahead of schedule.
• Pancreatic cancer remains one of the deadliest cancers with a five-year survival rate of 13%, largely due to late detection and limited treatment options, making this new drug a significant advancement.
• Experts believe daraxonrasib’s success could pave the way for similar treatments targeting KRAS mutations in other cancers, with ongoing studies exploring its potential beyond pancreatic cancer.