A daily pill could double the survival time of patients with the world’s deadliest cancer, according to clinical trial results, in what experts are calling a “gamechanger” and one of the biggest breakthroughs in decades.
Currently, there are only a few treatments for pancreatic cancer, and most do little or nothing to help. For decades, scientists have been working tirelessly to try to find clever solutions to a form of cancer that is often detected late. More than half of patients are diagnosed only after it has spread.
Now experts at the world’s largest cancer conference are hailing the arrival of a smart drug called Daraxonrasib, which they say could pave the way for a treatment revolution.
In a trial of 500 patients, all of whom had pancreatic cancer that had spread, the pill doubled survival time with fewer side effects than chemotherapy. The findings were presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago.
The trial found that patients taking the drug lived an average of 13.2 months longer, while those taking chemotherapy lived 6.6 to 6.7 months.
“These results are landscape-changing,” said Dr. Rachna Shroff, chief of oncology at the University of Arizona Cancer Center and an Esco expert in gastrointestinal cancers, who was not involved in the study. “We are seeing unprecedented survival.”
When Shroff first read the results of the trial led by researchers at the world-renowned Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, she cried, she said.
“After treating pancreatic cancer for 16 years, I actually started crying in the clinic. This is an incredibly impactful study for our patients, and I really congratulate [trial] “Investigator.”
Dr. Julie Gralow, Esco’s chief medical officer and executive vice president, who was not involved in the trial, said it was a “gamechanger.” She said: “I’ve heard this study described as a home run. I would actually say it’s a grand slam.”
Daraxonrasib works by targeting a protein, Kras, that drives almost all pancreatic cancers. The drug makes the molecules stick together to catch and stop the cross.
Kras is part of the Ras family of genes. They can cause cancer cells to keep receiving signals to grow and divide, even when they shouldn’t. This can cause cancer to grow and spread.
More than 90% of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (MPDAC), the most common form of pancreatic cancer, have mutations in the Kras gene. This is called the Ras G12 variant, and results in an overactive Kras protein.
Daraxonrasib is a new type of Ras inhibitor called a Ras(On) multi-selective inhibitor. It can turn off the Crus protein to prevent cancer growth, whether or not there is a Crus variant, and regardless of which variant it is.
“In most malignant diseases, particularly pancreas cancer, the idea of targeting the cross has always been the holy grail, because it is almost ubiquitous and it is an early driver of pancreas cancer development,” Shroff said.
“The Ras revolution is here, and this study is proof of principle that targeting Ras in pancreatic cancer is possible and effective.”
Paula Hannaford, chief executive of UK-based Pancreatic Cancer Action, said the discovery was one of the most significant developments in treatment she had ever seen.
“For too long, people with pancreatic cancer have had incredibly limited treatment options and extremely low survival rates. It is extremely encouraging to see a trial showing the potential to almost double survival in advanced pancreatic cancer and gives real hope to patients and families facing this disease.”
Anna Jewell, director of services, research and innovation at Pancreatic Cancer UK, said the results were “exciting”.
“By blocking the activity of the CRAS mutation, this drug, Daraxonrasib, improves survival in people with advanced pancreatic cancer. Patients were given months more of precious time with their loved ones.”
But the next step will be to ensure that these types of drugs are made available to patients, he said. “Sadly, half of all people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer die within just three months of diagnosis.
“More time with those we love most is truly invaluable. We must do everything we can to ensure that the most promising new treatments are available.”
Chicago experts also told the Guardian that since Ras genes promote other cancers, there is hope for success elsewhere. He said similar drugs were also being tested for lung and stomach cancer.
<a href