PEMBROKE PINES, FLA. (WSVN) – A new experimental drug is helping a local patient with pancreatic cancer at Memorial Cancer Institute in Hollywood.<\/p>\n
Russell Reed was diagnosed with Stage 2B pancreatic cancer in 2024 upon returning from vacation and feeling pain on his side. <\/p>\n
\u201cHad maybe 30 seconds of alone time, had the pity party, \u2018Why this is happening to me?\u2019 Then my mind went right to the fight,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
His wife, Marnie Reed, is joining him on this battle as she lost her father to pancreatic cancer in 2008. <\/p>\n
\u201cMy father looked absolutely fine until he wasn\u2019t, and then he was gone. And I wasn\u2019t about to watch that to my husband,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Pancreatic cancer is deadly, and often goes undetected until it has advanced, with a survival rate of 13% according to the Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research.<\/p>\n
But a new experimental drug is being called a breakthrough by researchers.<\/p>\n
The new drug, Daraxonrasib, has had trials that can extend the survival time of those with pancreatic cancer.<\/p>\n
The drug block a protein that allows cancer cells to grow out of control. Prior to this breakthrough, the cells had not responded to drug therapy.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhatever medicine we came up with wouldn\u2019t attach to it, and now finally we\u2019re able to grab that angiogenic protein and shut it down,\u201d said Dr. Jesus Fabregas, MD, from the Memorial Cancer Institute.<\/p>\n
In the 500 patient trial, the average patient lived 13 months compared to the 6.6 or 6.7 months on chemotherapy, according to Revolution Medicines. <\/p>\n
Russell successfully finished chemotherapy a year after his diagnosis, but the cancer came back.<\/p>\n
After the chemotherapy stopped working, Marnie began a social media campaign to get her husband access to the drug, which is not yet approved by the Food and Drug Administration.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe problem is, pancreatic cancer doesn\u2019t wait,\u201d said Marnie.<\/p>\n
Memorial Regional Hospital is the first in Broward County to use the drug on a very limited basis.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not a cure, but it\u2019s a big step for humanity. Patients live longer, better quality\u00a0of life, less pain, more happy time with family and friends,\u201d said Fabregas.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe hope is, and the anecdotal evidence out of all this is that when it shrinks the tumors the pain will go away, and I have noticed a slight decrease so far, so that\u2019s the hope and that\u2019s where the quality comes in,\u201d said Russel. \u201cNever give up, and keep fighting. And if you\u2019re in the fight, help others who are in the fight as well, and never give up.\u201d<\/p>\n
Access to the drug remains limited, but doctors are hopeful.<\/p>\n
Memorial Cancer Institute has set up a specific phone number for patients hoping to receive this drug\u00a0 If you\u2019d like to make an appointment or for more information, please call 754-714-4300.<\/p>\n
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