FDA approves drug for pancreatic cancer that has helped Ben Sasse’s survival

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The Food and Drug Administration approved the pancreatic cancer drug Daraxonrasib on Wednesday, months ahead of schedule.

The drug is an oral medication that is taken once a day.

It targets the protein responsible for ramping up pancreatic cancer cells in the body.

The patients who took part in the clinical trials, such as former Nebraska senator Ben Sasse, survived nearly twice as long as the patients on standard chemotherapy drugs.

The FDA saying the average span of life for those taking Daraxonrasib is 13.2 months, compared to 6.7 months on other chemo.

The ideal candidate is a patient who has already received at least one systemic treatment or are not a candidate for a combination therapy.

Dr. Kelsey Klutes is an oncologist at Nebraska Medicine’s Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center.

She says, Daraxonrasib is a “game-changer,” adding that patients aren’t only living longer, but “are also doing it with less side effects, in a way that’s helping their symptoms.”

The drug first gained notoriety while still in clinical trials, and Sasse spoke out about the changes he was experiencing.

“Right at bedtime, I take my few hundred milligrams of Daraxonrasib,” he said.

“My tumors this week are down 76% from December 29th and I’d say my pain is you know 80% reduced from where I started,” he was quoted in an interview.

The drug albeit successful, still has its side effects such as rashes and fatigue, but creates a major step forward in the battle.

Acting FDA commissioner Kyle Diamantis said, “I am immensely proud of the dedicated FDA scientists whose fast thorough review and relentless commitment made this groundbreaking milestone a reality.”

Patients interested in taking the medication should contact their doctor.