New cancer drug hailed for extending life

Oncologists and researchers have hailed a medical breakthrough after discovering a new pill that can extend the lives of people diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer, often described as the deadliest form of cancer.

According to researchers, daraxonrasin, when administered once daily, doubles the survival time for pancreatic cancer patients by targeting the KRAS protein, the chief multiplier of cancer cells and tumours in the body.

For decades, scientists had unsuccessfully tried to find a drug that could target only the KRAS protein, given it was the cause of cancer of the pancreas, lung and colon which have the highest mortality rates in cancer treatment.

Patients who had daraxonrasin survived for about 13.2 months while those on chemotherapy lived for about 6.6 months.

The drug also had fewer side effects compared to chemotherapy treatment.

“These results are landscape-changing,” Dr Rachna Shroff, the chief of oncology at the University of Arizona Cancer Centre, said. “We are seeing unprecedented survival.”

Although she was not part of the team that discovered daraxonrasin, she has been an oncologist for over a decade.

“Having treated pancreatic cancer for 16 years, I actually started crying in clinic. This is such an incredibly impactful study for our patients, and I really congratulate the [trial] investigators,” the oncologist said.

Julie Gralow, chief medical officer and executive vice-president at Asco, described the drug as a “gamechanger.”

“I’ve heard this study described as a home run. I would actually say it’s a grand slam,” she said.

Ms Gralow, who was also not involved with the trial, said it was a “gamechanger.”

“I’ve heard this study described as a home run. I would actually say it’s a grand slam,” she added.

Paula Hanford, the chief executive of the UK’s Pancreatic Cancer Action, said daraxonrasin was a major victory.

“For far too long, people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer have had incredibly limited treatment options and survival rates that have remained devastatingly low.

“To see a trial showing the potential to nearly double survival time in advanced pancreatic cancer is hugely encouraging and gives real hope to patients and families facing this disease,” she said.