Experimental Pill Daraxonrasib Nearly Doubles Survival in Advanced Pancreatic Cancer
A Phase 3 trial presented at ASCO 2026 showed that the oral drug daraxonrasib, targeting the previously "undruggable" mutated KRAS protein, nearly doubled median survival in advanced pancreatic cancer patients to 13.2 months versus 6.7 months for chemotherapy. The drug, developed by Revolution Medicines, also caused fewer severe side effects and improved quality of life. The FDA granted expedited review and expanded access. Experts hailed it as a major breakthrough for a cancer with a 13% five-year survival rate.
Cross-source coverage
Wire timeline
New Pill Shows Promise in Treating Deadly Pancreatic Cancer
A new cancer drug, daraxonrasib, developed by Revolution Medicines, has shown significant results in extending the lives of patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer that had stopped responding to previous treatments. In a study of 500 late-stage patients published in The New England Journal of Medicine and presented at an American Society for Clinical Oncology meeting, those taking the pill lived an average of 13.2 months compared to 6.7 months for those on chemotherapy, with fewer side effects. The drug targets mutated KRAS genes, which are responsible for most pancreatic tumors. Experts called the findings 'hotly anticipated' and a potential turning point. Revolution Medicines is now testing the drug in earlier-stage cancer and in combination with other treatments.
TheWeek feedNew Pill Shows Promise in Treating Deadly Pancreatic Cancer
A new cancer drug, daraxonrasib, developed by Revolution Medicines, has shown significant results in extending the lives of patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer that had stopped responding to previous treatments. In a study of 500 late-stage patients published in The New England Journal of Medicine and presented at an American Society for Clinical Oncology meeting, those taking the pill lived an average of 13.2 months compared to 6.7 months for those on chemotherapy, with fewer side effects. The drug targets mutated KRAS genes, which are responsible for most pancreatic tumors. Experts called the findings 'hotly anticipated' and a potential turning point in treating one of the most stubbornly lethal cancers. Revolution Medicines is now testing the drug in earlier-stage cancer and in combination with other treatments.
TheWeek feedNew Pill Shows Promise in Treating Deadly Pancreatic Cancer
A new cancer drug, daraxonrasib, developed by Revolution Medicine, has shown significant results in extending the lives of patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer that had stopped responding to previous treatments. In a study of 500 late-stage patients published in The New England Journal of Medicine and presented at an American Society for Clinical Oncology meeting, those taking the pill lived an average of 13.2 months compared to 6.7 months for those on chemotherapy, with fewer side effects. The drug targets mutated KRAS genes, which are responsible for most pancreatic tumors. Experts, including Dr. Rachna Shroff of the University of Arizona Cancer Center, expressed emotional optimism about the findings. Revolution Medicine is now testing the drug in earlier-stage cancer and in combination with other treatments, and dozens of similar experimental drugs are in development, suggesting a potential turning point in pancreatic cancer treatment.
TheWeek feedExperimental Pill Daraxonrasib Shows Promise in Advanced Pancreatic Cancer Trial
Researchers reported that an experimental daily pill, daraxonrasib, nearly doubled survival time for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer compared to standard chemotherapy. The drug targets a mutated KRAS protein found in over 90% of pancreatic cancer cases, a target long considered 'undruggable.' In a randomized trial of 500 patients whose cancer had stopped responding to prior treatment, those taking daraxonrasib lived a median of 13.2 months versus 6.7 months for chemotherapy recipients. The drug also showed fewer severe side effects, with patients reporting less pain and better quality of life. The findings were published in the New England Journal of Medicine and presented at the American Society for Clinical Oncology meeting. The FDA plans to expedite review, and an expanded access program has begun. Cancer specialists not involved in the research called it a potential turning point for one of the deadliest cancers, which has a five-year survival rate of just 13%.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Experimental pill nearly doubles survival time for people with advanced pancreatic cancer
A novel oral drug, daraxonrasib, nearly doubled median survival in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer compared to chemotherapy, according to a Phase 3 trial presented at ASCO 2026. The drug targets a mutated KRAS protein present in over 90% of pancreatic cancers, a target long considered undruggable. Patients on the pill lived a median of 13.2 months versus 6.7 months for those on chemotherapy, with fewer severe side effects and better quality of life. The FDA has granted expedited review and expanded access. Researchers and oncologists hailed the results as a major breakthrough for one of the deadliest cancers, with a five-year survival rate of just 13%.
Fortune | FORTUNE