{
  "id": 3674525,
  "title": "US approves new drug for advanced pancreatic cancer",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/us-approves-new-drug-for-advanced-pancreatic-cancer",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-27T03:29:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Ajel English",
    "slug": "ajel-english",
    "url": "https://english.ajel.sa/lifestyle/7uuxbqbng"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has greenlit a groundbreaking medication from Revolution Medicines to combat advanced pancreatic cancer, a disease known for its swift progression and bleak prognosis. The FDA's approval follows a comprehensive study demonstrating the drug's ability to effectively double the survival rates of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, offering a beacon of hope for those battling this relentless disease.\n\nDesignated under the brand name Rasonac, the novel therapy is administered as a once-daily pill, making it a convenient option for patients. The FDA's approval is specifically for those with metastatic pancreatic cancer who have either undergone prior treatment or are ineligible for combination chemotherapy. The medication's mechanism of action involves inhibiting several forms of RAS proteins, which play a pivotal role in the proliferation of tumors in numerous pancreatic cancer cases.\n\nRevolution Medicines priced the drug at $39,800 for a 30-day supply, reflecting the high cost associated with advanced cancer treatments. The company has also pledged to offer support programs to ease the financial burden on patients. Following the announcement of positive trial results in April, the company witnessed a significant increase in demand. Promptly, the FDA granted compassionate use access to the drug, enabling patients facing serious or life-threatening conditions to receive experimental treatments outside of conventional clinical trials, prior to official approval.\n\nInitial responses to the drug have been overwhelmingly positive. Barbara Andes, an 88-year-old from Fullerton, California, has already benefited from the treatment. After a year of grueling chemotherapy, Barbara began taking Rasonac in July and has since resumed her daily activities with much less nausea and fatigue. She describes the drug as a \"godsend,\" highlighting its transformative impact on her quality of life. This early success serves as a testament to the potential of the medication in alleviating the burdens of chemotherapy for many pancreatic cancer patients.",
  "summary": "The US FDA has approved a Revolution Medicines drug that doubles survival rates for advanced pancreatic cancer patients, offering new hope.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BBC World",
        "title": "US drug agency approves breakthrough treatment for pancreatic cancer",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/us-drug-agency-approves-breakthrough-treatment-for-pancreatic-cancer",
        "published": "2026-08-26T22:02:18.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "US drug agency approves breakthrough treatment for pancreatic cancer",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/us-drug-agency-approves-breakthrough-treatment-for-pancreatic-cancer-3658202",
        "published": "2026-08-27T01:45:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "KahawaTungu",
        "title": "US drug agency approves breakthrough treatment for pancreatic cancer",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/us-drug-agency-approves-breakthrough-treatment-for-pancreatic-cancer",
        "published": "2026-08-27T03:02:44.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Live Mint",
        "title": "US FDA approves landmark pancreatic cancer drug Rasonque: Here's how much will it cost you",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/us-fda-approves-landmark-pancreatic-cancer-drug-rasonque-heres-how",
        "published": "2026-08-27T03:49:25.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Adom Online",
        "title": "US drug agency approves breakthrough treatment for pancreatic cancer",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/us-drug-agency-approves-breakthrough-treatment-for-pancreatic-cancer-3703431",
        "published": "2026-08-27T08:03:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}