For decades, pancreatic cancer has been one of the deadliest cancers to fight. Now, doctors have a powerful new weapon. The third-leading cause of cancer death in the US, pancreatic cancer has one of the lowest survival rates of any major cancer. The five-year relative survival rate is just 13% and death rates have remained largely unchanged for years. That grim outlook could be starting to change, thanks to a first-of-its-kind treatment for patients with advanced disease.
In August, the FDA approved Rasonque (daraxonrasib), the first broad RAS-targeted therapy approved for metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Clinical trial results have showed slower disease progression, prolonged survival and delayed declines in pain and quality of life compared with chemotherapy. But while approval marks a significant advance, this treatment isn’t a cure, and much work remains to improve outcomes and catch the disease earlier. Here’s what to know about what new treatment means for pancreatic research, earlier-stage disease and the future of treatment.
