Millcreek residents battling advanced pancreatic cancer now have access to a new drug at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray that nearly doubled patient survival in clinical trials.

Intermountain Health announced Aug. 11 that 10 of its hospitals, including the Murray facility, are participating in a national Expanded Access Protocol for daraxonrasib, an oral once-daily pill for patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer that has stopped responding to chemotherapy.

In a Phase 3 trial of 500 patients, daraxonrasib doubled median survival from 6.7 months with chemotherapy to 13.2 months. Those results, presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology conference in May, drew a standing ovation from oncologists in attendance.

"This is a true paradigm shift in how we treat pancreatic cancer," said Dr. Mark Lewis, director of gastrointestinal oncology at Intermountain Health. "I can't remember the last time I saw such a positive leap forward in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. This really does appear to be a game changer in the treatment of this terrible disease."

How it works

Unlike traditional chemotherapy that requires infusion visits, daraxonrasib is a pill patients take at home. The drug targets KRAS gene mutations, which drive tumor growth in more than 90% of pancreatic cancers. Earlier KRAS-targeted drugs addressed only one specific mutation; daraxonrasib targets a broad range at once, according to Yale Medicine.

The drug does not cure pancreatic cancer. Known side effects include rash, diarrhea, fatigue, nausea and raw or split fingertips, though the safety profile has been described as manageable.

Who qualifies

The expanded access program is limited to patients with Stage IV metastatic pancreatic cancer whose disease has already stopped responding to chemotherapy. Patients cannot self-refer. A physician must submit a request on their behalf, and eligibility is reviewed case by case.

Since the program opened in May, more than 2,000 patients nationwide have received the drug through participating cancer centers, according to Revolution Medicines, the company that developed daraxonrasib.

Why it matters locally

About 67,000 Americans are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer each year, and more than 52,000 die from it annually, according to the American Cancer Society. It is the third leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, with a five-year survival rate of roughly 11–13%.

Intermountain Medical Center in Murray is the closest major hospital to Millcreek and one of six Utah facilities in the program. Alta View Hospital in Sandy is also participating.

The FDA is reviewing daraxonrasib for full approval. Yale Medicine reports a decision could come as early as late 2026. Until then, the expanded access protocol is the only way eligible patients can receive the drug outside a clinical trial. Patients interested in the program should ask their oncologist about submitting an eligibility request.

Upcoming community events

• Pacific Islander Heritage Month events continue at Millcreek Common through August.
• Granite Education Foundation is collecting school supply kits for Millcreek students through the start of the school year.