When Jim Dynes received a stage‑4 pancreatic cancer diagnosis two years ago, his world changed dramatically. The Cincinnati native, who enjoys playing golf and music with his grandchildren, was told the disease was often a death sentence.
Local trial offers a lifeline
Dynes entered a clinical trial at the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center that tests a drug called daraxonrasib. Dr. Davendra Sohal, MD, explained that the medication works by inhibiting the KRAS protein, a molecular “on switch” that fuels cancer growth. By turning that switch off, the drug aims to halt tumor progression.
“It is a pill,” Dr. Sohal said. “It targets KRAS, which is like an on switch in cancer. This drug essentially turns that switch off and turns the cancer off.”
Results bring optimism
Dynes reports that the trial has given him more time to live a full life. “I can go back home, and I can go out and play golf. I can play music. I’m in a band and I haven’t missed a day yet,” he said. He also celebrated two of his sons’ weddings and looks forward to the upcoming holiday season with his family.
He describes his cancer now as “just a bump in the road,” a stark contrast to the grim outlook he once faced. “If it doesn’t get any better than this, I’ll take every day I can get,” Dynes added.
Drug gains FDA approval
Following positive outcomes from early participants like Dynes, daraxonrasib received FDA approval in August. The medication is now available at the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center, where patients can receive the oral pill daily and monthly chemotherapy infusions.
Dr. Sohal highlighted the broader impact of the trial, noting that decades of research have shifted pancreatic cancer from a terminal illness to a chronic condition for many patients. “We work very hard to get the best, most cutting‑edge trials here for patients,” he said, emphasizing the center’s commitment to advancing treatment options.
Community support and hope
Dynes’ story resonates with the Cincinnati community, underscoring the importance of local medical research and patient perseverance. His experience offers encouragement to others facing similar diagnoses, showing that innovative trials can provide meaningful extensions of life and quality time with loved ones.
As the trial continues, the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center remains focused on enrolling more patients and gathering data to further assess daraxonrasib’s effectiveness across a broader population.
Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.
