health
FDA approves breakthrough drug daraxonrasib to treat pancreatic cancer
The US Food and Drug Administration has approved a treatment for pancreatic cancer that, in clinical trials, nearly doubled the overall survival time for patients.
TL;DR
- The FDA has approved daraxonrasib (Rasonque) for pancreatic cancer treatment.
- Clinical trials showed daraxonrasib nearly doubled overall survival time (13.2 months vs. 6.6 months).
- The drug targets the mutated KRAS gene, common in over 90% of pancreatic tumors.
- Pancreatic cancer has the highest mortality rate of major cancers and is often diagnosed late.
- Daraxonrasib received a 'Breakthrough Therapy' designation and was approved early.
- Common side effects include rash, diarrhea, nausea, fatigue, and vomiting, with severe side effects occurring in fewer patients than with chemotherapy.
- Former US Senator Ben Sasse is participating in a clinical trial for the drug and reported tumor shrinkage.