Revolution Medicines's daraxonrasib nearly doubles pancreatic cancer survival in trials
A new drug called daraxonrasib, made by Revolution Medicines in California, is giving hope to people with pancreatic cancer.
In clinical trials, it almost doubled the median survival times, from 6.7 months to 13.2 months.
Scientists were so impressed by the results at a major Chicago conference that they gave a standing ovation.
The drug works by inhibiting KRAS, which drives many pancreatic cancers.
Breakthrough could change millions' cancer treatment
KRAS mutations aren't just linked to pancreatic cancer: they show up in colorectal, lung, and stomach cancers too.
While daraxonrasib isn't a cure-all, it could help people live longer when combined with other treatments and might even make tumors more responsive to immunotherapy.
Since RAS mutations play a role in about 20% of all cancers worldwide, this breakthrough could change how millions of cases are treated each year.