US FDA approves Rasonque, a promising new treatment for pancreatic cancer

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced the approval of Rasonque, a new treatment for pancreatic cancer, marking a significant advancement in managing one of the deadliest forms of the disease. Developed by the American startup Revolution Medicines, this oral medication offers a new hope for patients with an aggressive but common form of the cancer, provided they have previously undergone treatment.

While Rasonque is not a cure, it has generated considerable enthusiasm among oncologists and patient advocacy groups. "This authorization constitutes the most significant advance we have ever seen in the fight against pancreatic cancer," stated Anna Berkenblit, scientific director of PanCAN, an organization dedicated to combating the disease. She added that the drug "will transform how we treat pancreatic cancer: it will offer patients the opportunity to spend more time with their loved ones, have a better quality of life, and regain confidence that ongoing research will bring even greater advances."

Clinical trials using the molecule daraxonrasib demonstrated Rasonque's superior efficacy over standard chemotherapy for patients with metastatic cancer. The study found that half of the patients taking Rasonque survived for more than 13 months, effectively doubling the survival time seen in the chemotherapy group. This breakthrough comes after decades of stagnation in pancreatic cancer treatment, which remains the sixth leading cause of cancer death globally, with nearly 470,000 deaths recorded in 2022 and a very low 5-year survival rate.

Rasonque received an expedited review process and is now available in the United States. The catalog price for a 30-day supply is $39,800 (approximately €34,156), though the final cost for patients may vary. Revolution Medicines highlighted the drug's potential to significantly extend the lifespan and improve the quality of life for patients battling this formidable disease.