A clinical trial led by the University of Chicago Medicine has demonstrated striking outcomes for a new treatment in late-stage pancreatic cancer. The FDA approved daraxonrasib on August 26, a medication that more than doubled median survival for patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma after their disease had progressed following initial chemotherapy.
In the study, patients receiving daraxonrasib achieved a median survival of 13.2 months, compared to 6.7 months for those on standard chemotherapy. The RASolute 302 trial was the first global effort of its kind, and the University of Chicago Medicine was the sole Illinois institution involved. Beyond prolonging life, the drug also enhanced quality of life and reduced pain more effectively than chemotherapy.
Daraxonrasib operates by targeting KRAS, a protein that fuels cancer growth. Unlike chemotherapy, which harms all rapidly dividing cells, the drug specifically inhibits both mutated and non-mutated KRAS in its active form, stopping the signals that allow tumors to metastasize. Patients administer it as three daily pills, offering greater convenience than intravenous therapies.
The treatment is currently available only to those with metastatic pancreatic cancer whose condition has worsened despite prior chemotherapy. Early findings from the University of Chicago Medicine show patients are living longer while preserving better daily functioning. One patient, for instance, was able to assist her children with moving to college—a goal that would have been far more difficult to accomplish during chemotherapy.
Common side effects include rash, diarrhea, mouth sores, fatigue, and nausea. The drug may also interact with other medications, requiring patients to collaborate closely with their healthcare providers to review all prescriptions, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs.
Pancreatic cancer remains among the deadliest malignancies, with a five-year survival rate of just 3% for late-stage cases. The RASolute 302 results prompted standing ovations at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting in June, where oncologists described the findings as “jaw-dropping” and “unprecedented.” The approval represents a significant breakthrough for a disease where treatment options have historically been scarce.
While daraxonrasib is now accessible, other KRAS-targeting therapies are under development. The University of Chicago Medicine is conducting trials for alternatives such as zoldanrasib, olmorasib, and setidegrasib, which focus on distinct KRAS mutations. These could provide additional treatment avenues for patients whose tumors respond differently to existing drugs.
