Pancreatic cancer, drug discovered that reduces mortality. «Effectiveness demonstrated in studies». Here’s what it is and how it works

A new drug against the cancer of the pancreas metastatic, which uses nanotechnology to reach the target, has been authorized for reimbursement by the Italian Medicines Agency (Aifa). It is the first drug for a “second-line treatment for pancreatic cancer” and with significant advantages in terms of survival and quality of life. It is known by the acronym Nal-IRI (pegylated liposomal irinotecan) and is administered in association with a therapy based on 5-FU/LV (5-fluorouracil and leucovorin). Its efficacy was demonstrated by the pivotal phase III Napoli-1 study, which documented «a statistically significant improvement in median survival from 4.2 to 6.1 months compared to 5-FU/LV alone, with a reduction in risk of death by 33%”.