Pancreatic cancer patient Ben Sasse sees 'massive' tumor reduction with experimental new drug
Former Senator Ben Sasse, diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, has experienced a 76% reduction in tumor volume after enrolling in a clinical trial for the experimental drug daraxonrasib. The oral therapy targets the defective RAS gene responsible for uncontrolled cancer cell growth and has shown promise in extending survival. Experts describe the drug as a significant advancement in treating metastatic pancreatic cancer, though it is not yet FDA-approved and is not a cure. Sasse, who was initially given three to four months to live, credits both the treatment and his faith for surpassing his prognosis.
- ▪Ben Sasse, a former U.S. senator from Nebraska, was diagnosed with metastatic pancreatic cancer in December 2025, with the disease spread to his liver and lungs.
- ▪Sasse joined a clinical trial for daraxonrasib, an experimental oral drug that inhibits the RAS gene mutation driving cancer growth.
- ▪Phase 3 trial data show patients on daraxonrasib had a median survival of 13 months compared to six months for those on standard chemotherapy.
- ▪Experts describe daraxonrasib as the first targeted therapy for pancreatic cancer that represents a major leap forward in treatment.
- ▪While well-tolerated compared to chemotherapy, daraxonrasib can cause side effects such as rash, diarrhea, mouth sores, and fatigue, and is not yet FDA-approved.
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Cancer News Pancreatic cancer patient Ben Sasse sees 'massive' tumor reduction with experimental new drug Former senator calls experimental drug daraxonrasib a ‘miracle’ medication By Melissa Rudy Fox News Published April 28, 2026 7:00am EDT | Updated April 28, 2026 7:03am EDT Facebook Twitter Threads Flipboard Comments Print Email Add Fox News on Google close Video Former Sen. Ben Sasse vows to fight after stage 4 pancreatic cancer diagnosis Dr. Nicole Saphier discusses former Sen. Ben Sasse’s, R-Neb., stage 4 pancreatic cancer diagnosis, new immunotherapy advances and what to know as flu season ramps up. NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Months after revealing his stage 4 cancer diagnosis, former U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse is speaking out about an experimental therapy that could extend his life. if (window && window.foxstrike && Array.isArray(window.foxstrike.cmd)) { window.foxstrike.cmd.push(function(Strike) { Strike.insertAd('tablet', 'lb2', 'tablet-tw-ad-lb2', ''); }); } else { console.error('Error: window.foxstrike not found'); } if (window && window.foxstrike && Array.isArray(window.foxstrike.cmd)) { window.foxstrike.cmd.push(function(Strike) { Strike.insertAd('mobile', 'ban1', 'mobile-mw-ad-ban1', ''); }); } else { console.error('Error: window.foxstrike not found'); } Sasse, a Republican who represented Nebraska between 2015 and 2023, shared in December 2025 that he has metastatic pancreatic cancer, which has spread to multiple organs — including his liver and lungs.After initially being given three to four months to live, Sasse, 54, entered a clinical trial for a drug called daraxonrasib, an oral therapy (pill) that is designed to block the defective gene that triggers uncontrolled cellular growth. if (window && window.foxstrike && Array.isArray(window.foxstrike.cmd)) { window.foxstrike.cmd.push(function(Strike) { Strike.insertAd('desktop', 'lb2', 'desktop-desk-ad-lb2', ''); }); } else { console.error('Error: window.foxstrike not found'); } CANCER SURVIVAL APPEARS TO DOUBLE WITH COMMON VACCINE, RESEARCHERS SAY if (window && window.foxstrike && Array.isArray(window.foxstrike.cmd)) { window.foxstrike.cmd.push(function(Strike) { Strike.insertAd('mobile', 'ban2', 'mobile-mw-ad-ban2', ''); }); } else { console.error('Error: window.foxstrike not found'); } The California-based drugmaker, Revolution Medicines, recently shared data from a phase 3 clinical trial of people with metastatic pancreatic cancer who did not respond to standard chemotherapy. if (window && window.foxstrike && Array.isArray(window.foxstrike.cmd)) { window.foxstrike.cmd.push(function(Strike) { Strike.insertAd('tablet', 'lb3', 'tablet-tw-ad-lb3', ''); }); } else { console.error('Error: window.foxstrike not found'); } Patients on the treatment lived a median of 13 months, compared to around six months for those who continued with chemo. Former Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska entered a clinical trial for a drug called daraxonrasib, an oral therapy (pill) that is designed to block the defective gene that triggers uncontrolled cellular growth. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)"I have much, much less pain than I had four months ago when I was diagnosed, and I have a massive 76% reduction in tumor volume over the last four months," Sasse told "60 Minutes" in a recent interview. if (window && window.foxstrike && Array.isArray(window.foxstrike.cmd)) { window.foxstrike.cmd.push(function(Strike) { Strike.insertAd('mobile', 'ban3', 'mobile-mw-ad-ban3', ''); }); } else {…
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