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Michigan Medicine oncologist thrilled with success of new pancreatic cancer drug

A cancer-stricken pancreas.
Getty Images
A cancer-stricken pancreas.

The announcement of a drug that extends the survival rate for patients with late-stage pancreatic cancer has drawn global applause.

The oral cancer drug from Revolution Medicines is called Daraxonrasib. Phase 3 trials for patients with previously treated metastatic pancreatic cancer show dramatic promise.

Dr. Vaibhav Sahai, Associate Professor of Internal Medicine with Michigan Health, and his team participated in clinical trials for the drug, which attaches to a molecule that shuts down the ability of a particular protein to mutate.

“We saw early on how our patients were just responding so dramatically with this pill. So, we knew from day one that this is an active, active drug.”

Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related death in the U.S. for men and women.

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An award winning journalist, Caroline's career has spanned both commercial and public media in addition to writing for several newspapers and working as a television producer. As a broadcaster she has covered breaking stories for NPR and most recently worked as Assistant News Director for West Virginia Public Broadcasting. This year she returned to Michigan to be closer to family.
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