A clinical oncology company has claimed that a new pill has been tested in the United States to treat late-stage pancreatic cancer, which has the potential to almost double the life expectancy of patients compared to traditional chemotherapy.

The study found that patients with pancreatic cancer (which has the lowest survival rate of any other cancer) who take the once-daily drug draxonase may reduce their risk of death by up to 60 percent compared to those who receive chemotherapy alone.

The results, which came in a phase three trial of 500 people, could make the drug a more effective and less painful treatment.

Harvard Medical School professor Brian Wolpin said the drug could also be a new ray of hope for patients whose cancer continues to spread despite chemotherapy.