New data showed promising results for daraxonrasib, a new oral drug designed to treat metastatic pancreatic cancer driven by RAS mutations. Researchers described the treatment as a major advance because KRAS mutations, found in more than 90% of pancreatic cancers, were long considered difficult to target with drugs.
Daraxonrasib works differently from earlier KRAS inhibitors. The drug acts as a “molecular glue,” binding with cyclophilin A to block signaling from several common RAS mutations instead of targeting only one rare mutation type.
The Phase 1/2 trial included 168 heavily pretreated patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. About 90% of patients achieved either disease stabilization or tumor shrinkage. Among patients receiving the 300 mg dose after one prior treatment line, 30% had a significant tumor response. The median duration of response was more than eight months, exceeding historical results seen with standard chemotherapy.
The treatment was generally well tolerated. Common side effects included rash, mouth inflammation, nausea, and diarrhea, which researchers said were manageable with supportive care.
Based on these findings, the Phase 3 RASolute 302 trial is now comparing daraxonrasib with standard second-line chemotherapy.