Divarasib extends survival over current KRAS drugs in Phase 3 lung cancer trial

The trial enrolled 338 patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer carrying the KRAS G12C mutation whose disease had progressed after earlier treatment. Median overall survival was 17.7 months with divarasib versus 12.0 months with the two approved KRAS G12C inhibitors, and median progression-free survival was 9.8 months versus 5.7 months, according to Roche and MD Anderson, which led the study. Severe treatment-related side effects occurred in 25% of patients on divarasib versus 35% in the comparison group.

The results were presented at the ESMO Congress 2026 on Sunday. The researchers noted limits, including an open-label design and a small number of patients who received adagrasib.

Why it matters: Krascendo 1 is the first Phase 3 trial to compare a next-generation KRAS inhibitor head-to-head with approved KRAS drugs. About 14% of non-small cell lung cancer patients have the G12C mutation, according to MD Anderson.