By Bill Thomas | June 22nd
When presenting their findings to a gathering of their peers, scientific researchers always hope for a positive response. That said, it’s hard to imagine a warmer reception than the one Dr. Brian M. Wolpin, director of the Hale Family Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, received during the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Chicago on May 31.
During the event, Dr. Wolpin presented late-stage trial data showing that daraxonrasib, the first in a new class of drugs called “RAS(ON) multi-selective inhibitors,” nearly doubled survival for pancreatic cancer patients with KRAS mutations.
What was the audience’s response to this information?
“The room erupted into a standing ovation. It was incredible,” Dr. Cherie Daly, a PCRF Board Member and Chair of the PCRF Scientific Affairs Committee, who attended the event, said.
“It was a moment I will never forget. Seeing this kind of progress being made for one of the deadliest cancers and knowing how many patients and families put their trust in their doctors and enrolled in this clinical trial, it underlines how important it is for us to continue working to advance cancer care and drive forward the development of potential cures.”
The findings presented by Dr. Wolpin at the ASCO Annual Meeting are significant for a number of reasons. The RAS family of genes (which includes KRAS, NRAS, and HRAS) provide the body with instructions for making proteins that regulate cell growth. Mutations in RAS cause cells to multiply uncontrollably.
Of the three types of RAS, KRAS mutations fuel around 90% of pancreatic cancer cases. By switching off the active form of the protein across KRAS variants and even in tumors without detectable RAS mutations, daraxonrasib could potentially help treat any patient with pancreatic cancer, regardless of their tumor’s genetic profile.
These findings are doubly exciting because one of our PCRF’s own Legacy Researchers, Dr. Elliot Stieglitz, is studying a similar next-generation therapeutic approach in his research focused on children with Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia (JMML). Because JMML and pancreatic cancer are both driven by abnormalities in the RAS signaling pathway, the success being seen in adult pancreatic cancer may have significant implications for children facing high-risk pediatric cancers.
“For decades, the RAS pathway was considered one of the most difficult targets in cancer research. Today, we are witnessing breakthroughs that have the potential to transform outcomes across multiple cancer types,” Danielle Fragala, PCRF’s Chief Executive Officer, said.
“Dr. Elliot Stieglitz has already made extraordinary advances in our understanding of RAS-driven JMML and has been a pioneer in translating these discoveries into new possibilities for children facing this aggressive disease. The exciting progress being seen with next-generation RAS-targeted therapies further validates the scientific foundation of Dr. Stieglitz’s work and has the potential to accelerate new treatment options for children with high-risk JMML.”
The findings presented at the ASCO Annual Meeting exemplify why investing in innovative translational research is a key component of PCRF’s Biomedical Lifecycle Model. Scientific breakthroughs in one cancer type can often accelerate progress in others, bringing new hope to patients and families who urgently need better treatment options. These advances may lead to less toxic therapies, improved outcomes, and ultimately a future where more children can survive and thrive without the long-term complications associated with current treatments.
“This is the very essence of translational research—taking groundbreaking scientific discoveries and moving them closer to the children and families who need them most,” Fragalla said. “We are incredibly grateful to our supporters whose investments make this pioneering work possible and help bring new hope to children facing some of the most challenging pediatric cancers.”
If you would like to help Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation support innovative work that advances cancer care and facilitates potential cures, please consider donating to our Powering Research Fund. To stay up-to-date with all the latest news shaping the future of pediatric cancer treatment, don’t forget to follow Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation’s Profectus Blog!