Asco Plenary – pancreatic cancer, a new Kras battleground

Amgen and Mirati’s Kras inhibitors are already set for a showdown in non-small cell and colorectal cancers. The next battleground could be late-line Kras G12C-mutated pancreatic cancer, and data on Amgen’s Lumakras being presented today at the Asco Plenary Series allow a cross-trial comparison against results Mirati presented at Asco-GI last month with its rival, adagrasib. With the usual caveats about cross-trial comparisons and small patient numbers, adagrasib again looks to have the edge on efficacy, but with higher toxicity. Still, there were no deaths or treatment-related discontinuations with either asset. The next question, how big this market could be, will be top of investors’ minds after recent disappointing Lumakras sales in NSCLC. According to both Mirati and Amgen Kras G12C mutations account for just 2% of pancreatic cancers, so this looks like a very small niche. A bigger target could be Kras G12D mutants, which make up 36% of those with pancreatic cancer, Mirati reckons. The group has a G12D project, MRTX1133, in preclinical development.