Roundup: Drug Under Study Extends Survival Time in Advanced Pancreatic Cancer Cases; and More News

New Drug Doubles Survival Time in ‘Advanced Pancreatic Cancer’ Trial

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most difficult cancers to treat, largely because it is often discovered after it has already spread (metastasized) to other organs. For patients in this situation, treatment options have historically been limited to chemotherapy, which often provides modest results. Now, findings from a major international clinical trial are offering new hope.

What the Study Found

A drug called daraxonrasib was tested against standard chemotherapy in 500 patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer who had already received one round of chemotherapy. The trial, called RASolute 302, was presented at the recent annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), and published simultaneously in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The results were striking. Patients who took daraxonrasib lived a median of 13.2 months, compared to just 6.6–6.7 months for those on chemotherapy — essentially doubling survival time. The drug also slowed cancer progression, with patients remaining progression-free for 7.2–7.3 months versus 3.5–3.6 months on chemotherapy.

Additionally, about 31–33 percent of patients on daraxonrasib saw their tumors shrink significantly or disappear entirely, compared to roughly 11–12 percent on chemotherapy.

Why This Drug Is Different

More than 90 percent of pancreatic cancer cases are driven by mutations in a gene called KRAS (part of the RAS gene family). Think of KRAS as a stuck "on" switch — when mutated, it continuously tells cancer cells to grow and divide. For decades, scientists tried to block this switch but largely failed.

Daraxonrasib works as what researchers call a "molecular glue." It teams up with another protein in the body (cyclophilin A) to physically block RAS proteins from signaling — essentially turning off that stuck switch. Crucially, it targets both mutated and non-mutated forms of RAS, making it potentially useful for nearly all patients with this cancer. It's also taken as a daily oral pill, with no IV infusions required.

Safety Profile

Side effects were common — nearly all patients in both groups experienced some adverse events. However, serious side effects (grade 3 or higher) were actually less frequent with daraxonrasib (61.8 percent) than with chemotherapy (69.6 percent). Only 1.2 percent of daraxonrasib patients stopped treatment due to side effects, compared to 11.2 percent on chemotherapy. The most common side effects included rash, mouth inflammation, nausea, and diarrhea.

What Comes Next

Researchers describe these results as a potential new standard of care for second-line metastatic pancreatic cancer treatment. The FDA has already granted expanded access to the drug for eligible patients, while formal approval is pursued. A follow-up trial (RASolute 303) is underway exploring daraxonrasib as a first-line treatment.

The Bottom Line

For a cancer where survival beyond one year has historically been rare, these results represent a meaningful step forward. While daraxonrasib is not yet FDA-approved, patients with previously treated metastatic pancreatic cancer and their doctors should ask about eligibility for the expanded access program or ongoing clinical trials.

Strength Training Could Add Years to Your Life — But There's a Sweet Spot

A new study from Harvard researchers suggests that regularly engaging in strength (resistance) training is linked to a significantly lower risk of dying from several leading causes — but more isn't always better.

What the Study Found

Researchers tracked over 147,000 adults for up to 30 years, drawing from three large, long-running health studies. During that time, nearly 36,000 deaths were recorded. The team analyzed participants' self-reported weekly strength (resistance) training alongside their aerobic activity (walking, running, cycling, swimming, etc.).

The results were striking. Compared to people who did no strength training, those who did 90 to 119 minutes per week — roughly 15 minutes a day — were:

• 13 percent less likely to die from any cause
• 19 percent less likely to die from cardiovascular disease (heart attacks, strokes, and related conditions)
• 27 percent less likely to die from neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease

The Sweet Spot: Don't Overdo It

Here's the surprising part: doing more than 120 minutes per week of strength training offered no additional benefit for reducing overall, heart, or neurological disease mortality. The protective effects essentially plateaued.

For cancer mortality, the benefit appeared at even lower doses — just 1 to 59 minutes per week — and did not increase further beyond that.

Aerobics Still Reigns, But Combining Both Is Best

Cardio exercise remains the gold standard for longevity. Participants who met high aerobic activity levels — roughly 45 or more "MET-hours" per week (equivalent to about 7+ hours of brisk walking weekly) — saw roughly a 45–47 percent lower risk of death, regardless of how much strength training they did.

However, the biggest benefits came from combining both. People who did substantial amounts of both aerobic exercise and strength (resistance) training cut their risk of death nearly in half compared to those who did neither.

Why This Matters

While the benefits of cardio for lifespan are well established, strength training has received less scientific attention — particularly over long time periods. This study is notable for tracking participants' exercise habits repeatedly over decades, giving a much more accurate picture of real-world, long-term behavior.

The neurological finding is especially timely. Deaths from brain diseases like dementia have been rising globally, and this research adds to growing evidence that physical activity — including strength training — may help protect the aging brain.

The Takeaway

You don't need to spend hours in the gym. According to this research, just 90 to 120 minutes of strength (resistance) training per week — combined with regular cardio — may be the most effective formula for living longer. Think two or three moderate sessions weekly using weights, resistance bands, or bodyweight exercises, paired with daily walking or other aerobic activity.

As always, consult your doctor before starting a new exercise program, especially if you have existing health conditions.

New Colorectal Cancer Screening Options Now Recommended — Including At-Home and Blood Tests

The American Cancer Society (ACS) has updated its colorectal cancer screening guidelines, adding new testing options — including a blood draw and two at-home stool tests — designed to reach the more than 20 million Americans who are overdue for screenings.

The core recommendation remains unchanged: adults at average risk should begin screening at age 45 and continue through age 75. What's new is the menu of options available to fulfill that recommendation.

Why the Update Matters

Colorectal cancer — cancer of the colon or rectum — is highly preventable when caught early. Five-year survival rates exceed 90 percent when detected at an early stage in the U.S. Yet roughly 1 in 3 eligible adults has never been screened as recommended.

The stakes are rising: recent ACS research shows colorectal cancer is now the leading cancer killer of adults under 50 in the United States. More testing choices, the ACS says, can help close the gap.

What's New: Three Additional Options

• Next-gen stool DNA test (Cologuard) — every 3 years: An updated version of an existing at-home test. You collect a stool sample and mail it in. The lab analyzes it for specific DNA changes and hidden blood that can signal cancer or precancerous growths (abnormal tissue that could become cancer).
• New stool RNA test (ColoSense) — every 3 years: A brand-new at-home test that checks stool samples for RNA markers (genetic material released by cancer cells) and hidden blood. Like the DNA test, it can detect cancer and moderately detect precancerous lesions.
• Blood-based test (Shield) — for select patients only.

A simple blood draw taken at a doctor's office that looks for tumor DNA circulating in the bloodstream. It's only recommended for people who decline or cannot complete other preferred tests, as studies show it is less effective at detecting early-stage cancers and precancerous growths than stool-based tests.

Important: A positive result on any stool or blood test must be followed up with a colonoscopy — ideally within 6 months — to complete the screening process. The at-home and blood tests alone do not confirm cancer.

What Hasn't Changed

A colonoscopy — a procedure in which a doctor uses a flexible camera to examine the entire colon and rectum — remains the gold standard and is still recommended every 10 years. Other established options include annual stool blood tests, a CT scan of the colon every 5 years, and flexible sigmoidoscopy (a shorter version of a colonoscopy that only examines the lower part of the colon) every 5 years.

Who Should Talk to Their Doctor Sooner

People at higher-than-average risk — such as those with a family history of colorectal cancer, a personal history of inflammatory bowel disease, or certain genetic conditions — may need to start screening before age 45, test more frequently, or use specific tests. Ask your doctor what's right for you.