Breakthrough cancer trial offers hope for pancreatic cancer patients

Local 12 highlighted University of Cincinnati Cancer Center researcher Davendra Sohal and patient Ron Solomon, who is enrolled in a pancreatic cancer trial targeting a genetic mutation called KRAS.

Solomon's pancreatic cancer, which had spread to his liver, was not responding to standard therapy, but testing found the cancer had the specific KRAS gene mutation.

"KRAS is a gene that is an on-switch in many of these cancers," said Sohal, MD, associate director for clinical research at the Cancer Center and professor of internal medicine in UC’s College of Medicine. "Basically, it turns the cancer cells on, and these drugs try to turn that switch off, so the cancer cells stop growing. They essentially go to sleep, even if they are not killed."

The new KRAS inhibitor drugs like the one being tested in this trial provide targeted therapy in contrast to traditional chemotherapy drugs.

"These are now the most promising drugs in pancreatic and other cancers such as lung cancer and colon cancer," Sohal said. 

The new drugs are given in pill form and taken daily, and Solomon is monitored for side effects each week. He said he's been encouraged that he has not felt sick from the new medication.

"Throughout all of this since the very beginning, I've been very, very fortunate, and very grateful, and hopeful," Solomon said.

Read or watch the Local 12 story.

Featured image at top of Davendra Sohal. Photo/UC Health.