Where pancreatic cancer treatment is heading
Pancreatic cancer · Updated Nov 13, 2026
About 67,000 people in the US are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer each year, and most are found after it has spread. Chemotherapy has been the backbone for decades. In August 2026 the FDA approved the first drug that targets RAS, the mutation behind more than 90% of cases, and trials are moving it earlier.
- 1,525studies open or running
- 97phase 3 trials
- 6,320papers published this year
- 40NIH-funded projects
-
Now
Nov 2026
First RAS drug approvedHappened +6.5 mo median survival
Daraxonrasib nearly doubled survival after chemotherapy: 13.2 vs 6.7 months. Approved August 2026.
+6.5 mo: median survival: 13.2 vs 6.7 months.
Pre-surgery options are equalHappened 21.9 mo median survival
FOLFIRINOX and chemoradiation before surgery gave the same survival, about 21 to 22 months.
21.9 mo: median survival with pre-surgery FOLFIRINOX, vs 21.3.
-
6 months
by May 2027
Daraxonrasib reaches more patientsLikely +6.5 mo median survival
Now approved for previously treated metastatic disease and for people who cannot have combination chemotherapy.
+6.5 mo: median survival: 13.2 vs 6.7 months.
-
12 months
by Nov 2027
Treating cancer weight lossPossible
Pfizer's 982-person phase 3 of ponsegromab for cachexia finishes January 2028.
-
3 years
by late 2029
RAS drugs as first treatmentLikely
RASolute 303 (900 people) tests daraxonrasib alone or with chemotherapy as first treatment; due June 2028.
More RAS-pathway drugsPossible
Astellas's setidegrasib (KRAS G12D) and Immuneering's atebimetinib are in phase 3 trials with chemotherapy.
-
5 years
by late 2031
RAS drugs after surgeryPossible
RASolute 304 tests daraxonrasib after surgery to prevent relapse; due May 2029.
Mapping how pancreatic cancer startsLong shot
An NIH-funded OHSU atlas tracks early tumor formation in people with DNA-repair gene changes.
The research paths
RAS-targeted drugs
+6.5 mo median survivalDetails and 4 trialsHide
Drugs that block the mutated RAS protein behind most pancreatic cancers.
WatchRASolute 303 first-line results.
- Daraxonrasib as first treatment (RASolute 303)Revolution Medicines · 900 people · enrolling Jun 2028
- Daraxonrasib after surgery (RASolute 304)Revolution Medicines · 500 people · enrolling May 2029
- Setidegrasib with chemotherapyAstellas · 614 people · enrolling Aug 2029
- Atebimetinib with chemotherapy (MAPKeeper 301)Immuneering · 570 people · enrolling Jun 2028
Immune and metabolism drugs
Details and 1 trialsHide
New partners for chemotherapy, such as CD73 blockers.
WatchPRISM-1.
Surgery and supportive care
21.9 mo median survivalDetails and 2 trialsHide
Timing of chemotherapy around surgery, and treating weight loss.
WatchPonsegromab phase 3.
Borrowed from other cancers
From Lung and colorectal cancer research
Daraxonrasib
Approved
A RAS(ON) inhibitor also being tested in lung and colorectal cancers.
From Lung and colorectal cancer cachexia
Ponsegromab
Phase 3
An anti-wasting antibody tested across cancers.
Open to join now
-
Metastatic, untreated
Daraxonrasib as first treatment
Locations and eligibility → -
After surgery
Daraxonrasib after surgery
Locations and eligibility → -
KRAS G12D, metastatic
Setidegrasib with chemotherapy
Locations and eligibility → -
Weight loss (cachexia)
Ponsegromab
Locations and eligibility →
See every recruiting Pancreatic cancer trial →
When the trials finish
Completion dates the trials registered. Results usually follow 3 to 12 months later.
- Heating up
- Maturing
- Early
- Cooling
- Fully enrolled, waiting on results
- Still enrolling
Knowledge on the way
Not treatments yet: detection, causes and how care is delivered. Mostly NIH-funded.
- AreaQuestionFunded throughNews likely
- Early detection Atlas of how pancreatic tumors beginOregon Health & Science University · NIH Funded through Aug 2029 News likely 2028+
What just happened
FDA approves daraxonrasib (Rasonque)
First RAS-targeted drug for pancreatic cancer.
PREOPANC-2: two pre-surgery options equal
Lancet Oncology.
Standard treatment today
- Can be removedSurgery with chemotherapy (FOLFIRINOX or gemcitabine-based) before and/or after.
- Locally advancedChemotherapy, sometimes radiation, then surgery if the tumor shrinks.
- Metastatic, first treatmentFOLFIRINOX, NALIRIFOX or gemcitabine with nab-paclitaxel.
- After first treatmentDaraxonrasib; other chemotherapy; gene-matched drugs (BRCA, NRG1, others).
How to read this page, and sourcesHow to read this page, and sources
- Results apply to pancreatic adenocarcinoma, not pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.
- Forecasts are editorial judgments by Find a Trial, not predictions from sponsors or regulators.
See Pancreatic cancer trials recruiting now →