FDA gives expedited approval to new groundbreaking pancreatic cancer drug

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted expedited approval to a groundbreaking new drug for pancreatic cancer, a type of the disease with limited treatment options. The drug, called daraxonrasib, is a pill that targets a mutated protein causing tumor growth in over 90% of pancreatic cancer cases. Approved by the FDA, the drug is sold by Revolution Medicines under the brand name Rasonque.

In a study, patients taking the pills lived a median of 13.2 months compared to 6.7 months for those receiving chemotherapy. Pancreatic cancer is particularly deadly due to its difficulty in detection before spreading to other organs, with a five-year overall survival rate of 13%. The drug was granted "expanded access" earlier this year amid public interest, allowing select patients to receive it before official approval.

FDA regulators approved the drug more than six months ahead of schedule. Experts express optimism that approval may lead to further advancements in pancreatic cancer treatment, as the drug targets mutations in the Ras gene family, particularly Kras mutations, previously deemed "undruggable."