Phase 3 Trial Doubles Survival in Pancreatic Cancer

A groundbreaking Phase 3 clinical trial has demonstrated that an experimental oral drug, daraxonrasib, nearly doubles median survival for patients with previously treated metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, one of the most lethal forms of cancer. The global study, involving around 500 patients, reported a median overall survival of 13.2 months for those receiving the daily pill compared to 6.7 months for standard chemotherapy, reducing the risk of death by approximately 60 percent. Revolution Medicines, the developer, announced the positive results this week, stating the trial met its primary and key secondary endpoints, including progression-free survival.

Pancreatic cancer, which claims over 50,000 lives annually in the United States alone, has long resisted effective treatments, with a five-year survival rate hovering around 13 percent. More than 90 percent of cases involve RAS mutations that fuel tumor growth, making targeted therapies like daraxonrasib, which inhibits these variants, a focal point for researchers. The trial randomized patients across various RAS mutations and even included some without identified mutations, broadening its potential applicability....