Pancreatic cancer 'miracle' drug daraxonrasib doubles survival rate in new trial

An experimental pancreatic cancer drug, daraxonrasib, developed by Revolution Medicines, has shown a significant breakthrough in extending survival rates for patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. In a phase 3 clinical trial published in the *New England Journal of Medicine* on May 31, patients treated with daraxonrasib lived a median of 13.2 months, compared to 6.7 months for those receiving standard chemotherapy. The drug targets the KRAS gene mutation, which is responsible for most pancreatic cancer cases. The trial results were presented by Dr. Brian Wolpin and co-authored by Dr. Zev Wainberg, a professor at UCLA Health’s Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. Researchers described the findings as a 'paradigm shift' in treating a disease with one of the highest mortality rates, where only 3% of patients survive five years after diagnosis if the cancer has spread. Around 67,000 Americans are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer annually, with 53,000 deaths expected this year. The FDA granted early access to daraxonrasib on April 30, allowing some patients to receive the drug before full approval. However, clinics are struggling to meet the surge in demand. Dr. Daniel King, a medical oncologist at Northwell Health’s Zuckerberg Cancer Center, noted that patient requests have overwhelmed centers, forcing them to adapt quickly to provide access. Daraxonrasib is administered as a once-daily tablet and has become a focal point in pancreatic cancer treatment research. While the drug’s potential is promising, its availability remains limited until broader regulatory approval is secured. The trial results have reignited hope for patients and clinicians alike, offering a new avenue for improving survival and quality of life in advanced pancreatic cancer cases.