New cancer drug nearly doubles survival time for patients

The company behind the drug says the results are “unprecedented”

Pancreatic cancer has one of the worst survival rates of cancer globally, with around 13 per cent of patients surviving for five years after diagnosis.

However, a new trial of a once-daily pill has helped patients with pancreatic cancer live nearly twice as long than those who were treated with chemotherapy.

Oral drug daraxonrasib showed a median overall survival of 13.2 months, compared to 6.7 ​months for those treated with just chemotherapy.

Revolution Medicines said the “unprecedented” results are because of the drug's ability to block the RAS gene.

“We are moving with urgency toward global regulatory submissions and remain committed to rapidly advancing this therapy for patients with a broad range of RAS-addicted cancers,” Revoliution Medicines chief executive Dr. Mark Goldsmith said.

The company says they plan to launch a new drug application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The drug, which is designed to be taken by patients as a 300 milligram dose, has some nasty side effects, including rash, vomiting, fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, inflammation, mouth sores, liver inflammation, a decrease in red blood cells, scaly skin and effects on the kidneys.

However, chemotherapy also has similar negative side effects, and can cause nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, mouth sores, nerve problems , hair loss, fatigue, constipation, incontinence, weight changes, anxiety, depression and reduced counts of platelets, white blood cells, red blood cells.