Updated 1w+ ago · Health

FDA Approves New Targeted Pancreatic Cancer Drug

The FDA on Wednesday granted expedited approval to daraxonrasib, a pill that blocks a mutated protein fueling tumor growth in more than 90% of pancreatic cancer cases.

13.2 months was the median survival for drug recipients, versus 6.7 months on chemotherapy.
500 patients with metastatic cancer unresponsive to prior treatment enrolled in the company-funded trial.
67,000 new U.S. pancreatic cancer cases and 52,000 deaths are projected this year.
Approval came more than six months ahead of the FDA's original target date.

Why it matters: Pancreatic cancer's KRAS mutation was long considered undruggable because its structure prevented existing drugs from binding to it. Revolution Medicines used what it describes as a molecular glue to attach to multiple KRAS subtypes.

"This is not a cure, it's one more option for these patients — but it's the best option we've ever had," said Dr. Pashtoon Kasi of City of Hope Orange County.

How 42 sources split on this story

Source landscape

Factuality

High

Mixed

Low

Strong LeftLeftLean LeftCenterLean RightRightStrong Right

Political Bias

Coverage by lean% of 42 sources

42 sources · 51 articles · 50% Center coverage

Where they split: Coverage is broadly unified on the facts; the only point of difference is whether cost and access barriers receive prominent treatment.

Center coverage, 21 sources: The center treats this as a straightforward science and regulatory story, centering trial data, the genetic mechanism, and cautious optimism from treating physicians.

Left coverage, 10 sources: The left frames the approval as a landmark medical advance, leading with patient survival gains and the FDA's expedited timeline.

The Independent1w+New hope for pancreatic cancer patients after FDA approves drug shown to improve survival Cleveland.com1w+FDA approves breakthrough cancer drug months ahead of schedule: ‘Unprecedented results’Boston.com1w+FDA approves drug poised to transform care for pancreatic cancer CBS News1w+FDA approves new pancreatic cancer drug that could extend patients' lives CNN1w+Revolution Medicines gets FDA nod for targeted pancreatic cancer drug Gizmodo1w+A Game-Changing Drug for Pancreatic Cancer Just Got FDA Approval NBC News1w+FDA approves ‘game-changing’ pancreatic cancer drug The Boston Globe1w+FDA approves new pancreatic cancer drug The New York Times1w+F.D.A. Approves the Drug Daraxonrasib That’s Poised to Transform Pancreatic Cancer The Washington Post1w+FDA approves ‘landmark’ pancreatic cancer drug that extends patients’ lives

Right coverage, 11 sources: The right highlights the survival data and the FDA's speed, and is the only side to note the drug's expected high cost and uncertain out-of-pocket burden for patients.

Just the News1w+FDA approves pancreatic cancer drug that nearly doubles survival time over chemotherapy Daily Mail1w+Daily pill DOUBLES pancreatic cancer survival - experts demand pioneering drug gets fast-track NHS approval BizPac Review1w+Hope on the horizon with new drug to fight one of the deadliest cancers Fox News1w+FDA approves once-daily pill for deadly cancer after patients' survival rates nearly double New York Post1w+FDA approves 'life-altering' pancreatic cancer drug that nearly doubles life expectancy Newsmax1w+FDA Approves New Targeted Pancreatic Cancer Drug The Daily Wire1w+FDA Approves Pancreatic Cancer Drug That Nearly Doubled Survival In Trial The Epoch Times1w+FDA Approves New Drug for Pancreatic Cancer The Washington Times1w+FDA approves landmark pancreatic cancer drug that's shown to improve survival The Western Journal1w+FDA Approves 'Landmark' Cancer Drug That Extended Patients' Lives in Trial Washington Examiner1w+FDA approves breakthrough pancreatic cancer drug proven to extend survival

What’s next: Wall Street analysts expect the drug to cost several hundred thousand dollars annually; insurance coverage details vary.

Revolution Medicines is studying the same technology in lung cancer and other tumor types.
What will the drug's list price be, and which insurers will cover it at what out-of-pocket cost to patients?
Will the KRAS-targeting approach prove effective in lung cancer and other tumor types now in trials?