Daraxonrasib, an experimental medication, has been fast-tracked for approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Dr. Zev Wainberg, co-director of UCLA Health’s GI Oncology Program, is leading a clinical trial for the drug, which has shown to double the survival time of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, increasing the average survival from 6.7 months to 13.2 months. The results were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s annual meeting and published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
The drug targets a mutation in the KRAS gene, which is prevalent in various cancers, including lung and colorectal cancers. Dr. Brian Wolpin, director of the Hale Family Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, indicated that while pancreatic cancer may be the first focus for daraxonrasib, it could be applicable to other cancer types as well. The FDA has allowed Revolution Medicines to provide the drug to patients outside of clinical trials through an expanded access program.
Patients diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer typically face limited treatment options, with only 3% surviving five years post-diagnosis. Debby Orcutt, a participant in the daraxonrasib trial, reported significant tumor reduction since starting the medication. Experts are optimistic about the drug's potential and are preparing to use it as soon as it becomes available.