New Drug Shows Promise Against Advanced Pancreatic Cancer, Study Finds

The New England Journal of Medicine posted details of the RASolute 302 trial this week, a phase 3 study — meaning a late-stage test in human patients — comparing daraxonrasib against standard chemotherapy. The trial focused on people whose pancreatic cancer had already spread to other parts of the body (metastatic) and who had received at least one earlier course of treatment. According to the journal, daraxonrasib performed better than chemotherapy in this group.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the hardest cancers to treat, partly because most cases are driven by a faulty protein called RAS — long considered almost impossible to target with drugs. The journal published an accompanying editorial titled “Breaking the RAS Barrier in Pancreatic Cancer,” suggesting the trial results mark a meaningful step forward in addressing that long-standing problem.

Daraxonrasib belongs to a class of drugs designed to block RAS proteins, which tell cancer cells to keep growing unchecked. The NHS does not currently list daraxonrasib as an approved treatment in England, and phase 3 trial findings must pass through regulatory review before any drug becomes available on the health service.

The NEJM posted the trial and its editorial under the hashtag #Oncology. No data from UK patients specifically is mentioned, and no Kent or NHS England comment on the findings has been issued at this stage.

Patients with concerns about pancreatic cancer, treatment options, or ongoing care should speak to their GP or specialist in the first instance. Pancreatic Cancer UK also runs a specialist nurse helpline for patients and families.

Key information

• GP or hospital specialist — first point of contact for anyone with questions about pancreatic cancer treatment
• NHS 111 — for urgent health concerns that are not an emergency
• Pancreatic Cancer UK nurse helpline — 0808 801 0707, free to call