A rare pancreatic cancer remission sparks global hope for one of the deadliest cancers

In what doctors are calling a “medical miracle,” an Australian man has achieved complete remission from pancreatic cancer, one of the world’s most lethal diseases, thanks to a pioneering drug called AMP945, developed by Amplia Therapeutics.

Peter Moulding, a 71-year-old grandfather, was diagnosed with stage 3 pancreatic cancer, which typically carries a survival rate of less than 10%. Enrolled in a clinical trial at Sydney’s Macquarie University Hospital, Peter received the experimental drug AMP945 alongside conventional chemotherapy—and his tumors vanished entirely within months.

Image Credit: The Australian

“I feel like the luckiest man alive. I’ve been given my life back,” said Peter.

How AMP945 Works

AMP945 is an FAK (focal adhesion kinase) inhibitor, a drug class designed to block the pathways that tumors use to grow, spread, and resist treatment.

• The drug weakens the cancer’s fibrotic defenses, making it more vulnerable to chemotherapy.
• It is part of a new generation of targeted cancer therapies, aiming to make historically untreatable tumors, like pancreatic cancer, more responsive to drugs.

A Breakthrough in Pancreatic Cancer Treatment

Pancreatic cancer is notorious for late detection and poor outcomes.

• Over 60% of patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage, when surgery is no longer an option.
• The average life expectancy post-diagnosis is 6 to 12 months, even with treatment.

Peter’s tumor shrinkage and disease-free scans are giving oncologists worldwide a reason to hope that AMP945 could redefine pancreatic cancer care.

What’s Next for AMP945?

Amplia Therapeutics is advancing to larger Phase II and III clinical trials, aiming to bring the drug to patients globally within the next few years. If successful, AMP945 could join the ranks of groundbreaking oncology treatments that transform survival rates.

A New Dawn in Cancer Drug Development

Peter’s story highlights the evolving role of precision oncology and immunotherapy combinations in tackling cancers once considered terminal. With continued research, drugs like AMP945 could offer a survival breakthrough in pancreatic and other solid tumors.

Source: The Australian – The Luckiest Man in Australia: Breakthrough Drug Behind Peter’s Pancreatic Marvel