HealthQuiet 28d · day 29
FDA approves pancreatic cancer drug Daraxanraib; melanoma vaccine shows promise
Two major developments in cancer research offer hope: a new drug that nearly doubles survival for advanced pancreatic cancer, and an mRNA vaccine that reduces relapse risk in melanoma.
What to know
- Daraxanraib, approved by the FDA this week, nearly doubles survival time for advanced pancreatic cancer patients, which historically has a 13% five-year survival rate.
- The drug uses novel "molecular glue" chemistry to target the RAAS oncogene, a breakthrough after conventional chemistry failed to block this mutation.
- An mRNA vaccine for melanoma showed positive clinical trial results by reducing relapse risk in patients in remission, though it still awaits FDA approval.
- Researchers see potential to expand Daraxanraib to earlier-stage pancreatic cancer patients and expect both treatments to significantly impact survival statistics.
“I think we've only seen the beginning. The FDA approved this drug for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer doubling their survival and it really offering incredible hope and excitement for our patients and their families.”
Dr. Robert van der Hy, Director of Abramson Center; AACR president-elect · PBS NewsHour
Dr. Robert van der Hy Director of Abramson Center at Penn Medicine; president-elect of American Association for Cancer Research
William Brangham PBS NewsHour correspondent
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