For 64-year-old Russell Reed, the past two months have been filled with uncertainty. Reed spent 62 days waiting to learn whether he would be approved to receive daraxonrasib, an experimental drug his oncologist believed could help after traditional treatments were no longer effective. Daraxonrasib, also known as RMC-6236, is an investigational once-daily oral pill developed by Revolution Medicines. The drug targets mutated KRAS proteins, which drive more than 90% of pancreatic cancers. Reed said research and clinical trial results gave him hope that daraxonrasib could help slow the progression of his disease.
According to Reed's family, his oncologist submitted a request through the FDA's Expanded Access Program, which can allow patients with serious or life-threatening illnesses to receive treatments outside of clinical trials when other options are limited. Just two days after sharing their story with WPTV, Reed learned he had been approved to receive the treatment. The drug is now in his hands, and his family says he is already feeling better and optimistic about what comes next. Reed said there is a lot of anecdotal evidence and evidence from clinical trials that show this is the miracle drug for pancreatic cancer. It is not a cure, but it will give him time, he said.