Rasonque, a New Pancreatic Cancer Pill, Wins Approval and a Columbus Patient Says It Works

Rasonque is a pill designed to block tumor growth in pancreatic cancer. It's cleared for patients who have already received at least one round of chemotherapy before starting it. The drug was approved July 26, and physicians at Piedmont Columbus Regional in Columbus, Georgia say some patients began taking it as soon as August.

Ted Metcalfe is one of the first patients in Columbus approved for the drug, which aims to slow and stabilize pancreatic cancer. "I felt better and I felt stronger and I cannot say enough about this because the chemotherapy was just not working," he said. The change has been physical: "At one point I couldn't walk on my own, now I'm to the point where I use a walker but only when I have to."

Dr. Deepti Kantamani, an oncologist, said watching patients respond has been overwhelming. "I can't even explain how ... thankful and happy I am to see our patients respond like this," she said. Kantamani explained the pill targets the mutation behind the disease: "It puts a halt to unchecked cell cycle division." She noted that 40 years ago, chemotherapy was the only tool against this cancer.

Revolution Medicines, the company behind the drug, says on its website that Rasonque has let patients live two times longer compared to chemotherapy, doubled the time people live without their cancer growing, and helped shrink and stabilize tumors. Piedmont pharmacists stress it is not a cure — just another treatment. Pharmacy operations manager Amber Keeton called it "a very important step forward," adding, "We are giving patients more time with their families and more hope."

Metcalfe doesn't dwell on the alternative. Asked what would have happened if the pills hadn't worked, he said, "We would have to go to a completely different plan."