IT·Science News

Daily pill nearly doubles survival in advanced pancreatic cancer, ASCO hears

An experimental daily pill, daraxonrasib, nearly doubled median survival for patients whose metastatic pancreatic cancer had stopped responding to earlier treatment, researchers reported on Sunday 31 May at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting in Chicago, the Associated Press said in a story carried by KSL. In the 500-patient RASolute 302 trial, median survival was 13.2 months on the pill against 6.7 months on chemotherapy. Results were published at the same time in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The drug, from Revolution Medicines, which funded the study, blocks a mutated RAS protein that drives more than 90% of pancreatic cancers. The ASCO Post reports one-year survival of 53.3% against 18.7% in patients with RAS G12 mutations, and fewer serious side effects than chemotherapy; rash and mouth sores were the most common reasons for dose cuts.

“While not curing the cancer, it is a very large step forward.” — Dr. Zev Wainberg, UCLA, via KSL

How each outlet framed it

• KSL (AP) — the patients: about 67,000 new US cases a year, a 13% five-year survival rate, and oncologists flooded with requests for early access.
• The ASCO Post — the scientific verdict: ASCO’s Julie Gralow called it more than a “home run” – “a grand slam”.
• Il Sole 24 Ore — the limits: the drug is no cure, and its benefit at earlier stages awaits future studies; discussant Jennifer Knox called it a new standard of care in second-line treatment.

What happened next: WebMD later reported that the FDA approved the drug in August 2026 under the brand name Rasonque.