The Food and Drug Administration has expanded access to an experimental drug called daraxonrasib for patients with pancreatic cancer, one of the most lethal forms of the disease.

The drug has drawn attention from patients and advocates who have been seeking access to the unapproved treatment that may help extend their lives. Pancreatic cancer has historically been associated with poor survival rates and limited treatment options.

Former Senator Ben Sasse, who is 54 years old and has been diagnosed with the disease, has publicly described daraxonrasib as allowing him to live longer with reduced pain. Sasse has characterized the drug's effects in positive terms during his treatment.

The expanded access program allows patients to receive investigational treatments before they complete the full FDA approval process. Such programs are typically reserved for serious or life-threatening conditions where patients have exhausted other treatment options.

Pancreatic cancer patients and their families have been advocating for broader access to promising experimental therapies, given the aggressive nature of the disease and the urgent need for more effective treatments.