Cancer research is advancing rapidly, with new clinical trials exploring treatments that could improve outcomes for people living with aggressive cancers. Here are three promising oncology clinical trials we're following closely:
1. Daily pill for advanced pancreatic cancer improves survival in clinical trial
A new targeted therapy, daraxonrasib, is showing encouraging results in a phase III clinical trial for advanced pancreatic cancer. Designed to block cancer-driving proteins produced by RAS genes, the once-daily pill was tested in more than 500 people whose pancreatic cancer had progressed after previous treatment.
The study found that median overall survival increased from 6.7 months to 13.2 months compared with standard chemotherapy. Patients receiving daraxonrasib also experienced fewer side effects, highlighting its potential as a more effective and better-tolerated treatment for pancreatic cancer.
2. New targeted therapy offers hope for small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive disease with few treatment advances over recent decades.
Researchers are now investigating a new class of medicines called antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). One promising approach targets SEZ6, a protein commonly found on the surface of SCLC cells. By precisely targeting cancer cells while reducing damage to healthy tissue, these experimental therapies could help improve outcomes for people with advanced small cell lung cancer.
3. Promising early results for advanced bowel cancer
Researchers are also reporting encouraging findings for advanced colorectal cancer, also known as advanced bowel cancer. An early-stage clinical trial found that combining a new targeted therapy with standard chemotherapy helped shrink tumors and better control advanced colorectal cancer compared with chemotherapy alone.
Although larger clinical trials are still needed, these early results suggest the combination could become a valuable new treatment option for people with advanced colorectal cancer who have limited therapeutic alternatives.
As these clinical trials continue, they highlight the steady progress being made in precision oncology, targeted cancer therapies and the search for more effective treatments across multiple cancer types.
Updated: July 6, 2026
