A potential breakthrough in pancreatic cancer treatment could soon be available to Canadian patients through clinical trials. Dr. Jennifer Knox, a medical oncologist at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, reviewed a U.S.-led study of the experimental drug daraxonrasib and calls the results “amazing.”
The randomized Phase 3 clinical trial involving 500 patients found those taking the daily pill survived for more than a year, double the six-month survival for those receiving chemotherapy alone. Manufacturer Revolution Medicines has applied for FDA licensing in the U.S., but Health Canada has not yet received an application.
Dr. Knox plans to open clinical trials to provide access to the drug for as many patients as possible. The drug targets a protein called RAS, which is mutated in over 90% of pancreatic cancer cases, effectively shutting down its cancer-driving activity. Patients also reported better quality of life and less pain, with common side effects being rashes and sore mouth.