A phase 1–2 clinical trial of daraxonrasib found that more than 30% of patients with a common lung cancer gene mutation responded to the treatment, though more than half experienced serious side effects.
The New England Journal of Medicine has published results from an early-stage trial of daraxonrasib, a drug targeting a genetic fault known as a RAS mutation (a change in the RAS gene that drives cancer cell growth) in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer — the most common form of the disease. Over 30% of patients showed a measurable response to the treatment, a finding the journal described as part of full study results now available to clinicians and researchers.
But the trial also recorded significant safety concerns. According to the published data, 54% of patients experienced grade 3 or higher adverse events — meaning serious or severe reactions that required medical attention. The most common were pneumonia, diarrhoea, and rash.
RAS mutations are found in a large proportion of non-small-cell lung cancer cases and have historically been difficult to target with drugs, making any treatment showing a response rate above 30% of interest to oncologists. The trial was phase 1–2, meaning it was designed primarily to test safety and find the right dose, rather than to confirm whether the drug works better than existing treatments — that evidence would come from later-stage trials.
These are early findings. Patients in Kent with lung cancer, or those concerned about symptoms, should speak to their GP rather than drawing conclusions from trial data. Lung cancer symptoms can include a persistent cough, breathlessness, or unexplained weight loss.
For health concerns, contact your GP or call NHS 111. In an emergency, dial 999.
Source: @NEJM