In a significant breakthrough for pancreatic cancer treatment, a new drug named daraxonrasib is showing promise in clinical trials at Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center. The drug, classified as a KRAS inhibitor, aims to block a protein that contributes to the aggressive nature of this cancer. Irene Blair, a 59-year-old grandmother from Newark, Delaware, who was given a prognosis of six to eight months to live in June, is among the patients participating in this trial.
Pancreatic cancer has one of the highest mortality rates of all cancers, with just 13% of patients surviving five years post-diagnosis. The urgency for effective treatments is underscored by the recent announcement from former Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse, who revealed his own diagnosis of stage-four pancreatic cancer and shared his grim outlook on social media.
The results from early clinical trials of daraxonrasib are encouraging. In a phase 1 trial involving 38 patients, the drug appeared to double the survival time for many participants, increasing the average from approximately seven months to 15.6 months compared to traditional chemotherapy. Dr. Mark O’Hara, Blair’s oncologist and a leader in KRAS inhibitor trials, emphasized the longstanding need for effective therapies beyond chemotherapy in treating pancreatic cancer.
Blair began her treatment in a phase 3 trial in July. Within three weeks, her cancer-related pain subsided, and her subsequent scans in October indicated stable or decreasing tumors. A December scan confirmed that her cancer remained unchanged. This marked improvement contrasts sharply with her previous experience on chemotherapy, which led to a weight loss of 35 pounds and significant weakness.
The development of KRAS inhibitors has been a long-term goal for cancer researchers since the protein’s discovery in 1982. Mutations in the KRAS gene are found in approximately 25% of all human cancers, particularly aggressive forms like pancreatic, lung, and colon cancers. The first drugs targeting KRAS received FDA approval in 2021 for lung cancer, and now daraxonrasib is paving the way for similar advancements in pancreatic treatment.
The drug acts as a “pan-RAS inhibitor,” targeting not only KRAS but also two related proteins, HRAS and NRAS. In a phase 1 trial, more than 90% of 83 patients experienced halted progression of their pancreatic cancer, while 30% showed tumor shrinkage. Most patients took the drug in the form of three daily pills at home, with the most common side effect being a rash experienced by 91% of participants.
Dr. O’Hara noted that while some side effects, such as diarrhea and nausea, can occur, they are generally manageable, allowing patients to maintain a better quality of life than with chemotherapy. He expressed a strong desire to offer KRAS inhibitors to all his patients currently battling this challenging disease.
As Blair looks forward to making the most of her time, she has retirement plans that include traveling to see family in California and Florida. She reflects on the uncertainty of her situation, stating, “You just wonder, ‘Will I be here next year?’” The ongoing trials and promising results from daraxonrasib provide hope not only for Blair but also for countless others affected by pancreatic cancer.
