In brief
In a milestone for one of the deadliest cancers, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved daraxonrasib, a daily pill that doubles survival time for pancreatic cancer patients. In a phase‑III study of 500 patients, those taking the drug lived an average of 13.2 months versus 6.6 months on standard chemotherapy. The medication works by shutting down the mutated KRAS gene, which drives most pancreatic tumors. Side effects are milder, with 44 % of patients experiencing severe reactions compared with 57.5 % on chemo. The drug earned a Breakthrough Therapy designation in 2025 and was fast‑tracked, offering new hope for patients worldwide.
“The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has given the green light to daraxonrasib, sold as Rasonque, a groundbreaking daily pill that nearly doubles overall survival for pancreatic cancer patients.”
“In a phase‑III clinical study involving 500 patients, those who took the medication lived an average of 13.2 months compared with just 6.6 months for patients on standard chemotherapy.”
”The drug targets the mutated KRAS gene, which is present in more than 90’% of pancreatic tumors and fuels cancer growth.”
“Side effects, such as rash, diarrhoea, nausea, fatigue, and vomiting, were less severe for users of daraxonrasib—44’% of patients reported serious reactions, compared with 57.5’% for those receiving chemo.”
”Ben Sasse, who is in a stage‑4 clinical trial, said the drug helped shrink his tumors.”
“The FDA fast‑tracked approval after awarding the drug a Breakthrough Therapy designation in 2025, citing unprecedented results in a severe disease area.”
