FDA approves new pancreatic cancer drug targeting KRAS mutations

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted accelerated approval to daraxonrasib, a new daily pill developed by Revolution Medicines to treat common forms of pancreatic cancer. The drug, marketed as Rasonque, specifically targets KRAS protein mutations, which are responsible for tumor growth in over 90% of pancreatic cancer cases.

In a clinical study involving approximately 500 patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer who had stopped responding to previous treatments, daraxonrasib significantly improved outcomes. Patients receiving the drug achieved a median survival of 13.2 months, compared to 6.7 months for those receiving standard chemotherapy. The study also indicated that the new treatment resulted in fewer severe side effects.

Researchers view this approval as a potential milestone in oncology, as KRAS mutations have historically been extremely difficult to target with medication. While not a cure, the drug provides a critical new therapeutic option for patients with limited treatment alternatives. Experts suggest this breakthrough could lead to further developments in treating other cancers driven by similar mutations, such as lung and colon cancers.