Rasonque, a new oral treatment for advanced pancreatic cancer, receives a positive recommendation from the EMA but is not yet available in France.
EMA recommends Rasonque for pancreatic cancer
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has received a favorable opinion from its Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) regarding Rasonque, an oral targeted treatment for certain adults with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma who have already received at least one prior treatment. This recommendation marks an important development, though the treatment is not yet available in France.Rasonque's specific use and limitations
The EMA statement specifies that Rasonque targets advanced-stage metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma following progression or prior systemic treatment. It is not a treatment for all pancreatic cancers and is not currently considered a first-line option in the European context.Next steps for approval and availability
The European Commission must still decide on the authorization, after which pricing, reimbursement, and the treatment's place in the care strategy will be examined country by country. In France, the National Cancer Institute notes that pancreatic cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, with only 10 to 20% of patients diagnosed at a curable stage.Pancreatic cancer's poor prognosis
Available data indicate a net five-year survival rate of 8% in men and 7% in women, highlighting the poor prognosis of the disease. This underscores the urgency for new treatments like Rasonque, which may offer hope for patients with limited options.
