A Utah grandfather is finding hope through a groundbreaking clinical trial for pancreatic cancer, according to a report published August 6. Russ Smith, who was diagnosed with the disease at age 67, is benefiting from a new targeted therapy that was unavailable when his mother faced the same diagnosis more than 30 years ago.
After initial chemotherapy failed to stop the spread of his cancer, Smith was connected with the Huntsman Cancer Institute to explore other options. Since February 2025, he has been participating in a clinical trial for daraxonrasib, a daily oral medication designed to treat cancers driven by KRAS genetic changes. While the treatment causes side effects such as weakness and gastrointestinal issues, Smith reported that his tumor markers have remained unchanged for months, significantly prolonging his life.
The Phase 3 clinical trial for daraxonrasib has drawn national attention, including recognition at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting. The study found that the drug doubled survival time for patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer, increasing it from 6.7 months to 13.2 months. Huntsman Cancer Institute was one of only 60 sites worldwide to offer the trial.
Vaia Florou, MD, MS, an oncologist at the Huntsman Cancer Institute and the principal investigator on the trial, stated that the results are encouraging. Dr. Florou noted that patients are benefiting from therapies that target the biology of their cancer in new ways, providing treatments that did not exist for previous generations.
For Smith, participating in the research offers a way to contribute to future medical advances for his children and grandchildren. In the summer of 2026, Smith reached a milestone of 1,000 days since his diagnosis, a timeline he previously thought impossible.
