John B. Amos Cancer Center offers hope with new pancreatic cancer treatment

Columbus, Ga. (November 3, 2026) — Piedmont Oncology providers with the John B. Amos Cancer Center at Piedmont Columbus Regional are among the first community oncologists in Georgia to administer a groundbreaking new cancer treatment for pancreatic cancer called Rasonque. In late August, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the daily pill that chokes off tumor growth.

By the numbers 

• The five-year survival rate for patients with stage 4 pancreatic cancer is about 3%.
• In the clinical trial that led to FDA approval, patients receiving Rasonque had an average survival time that was double the survival of patients receiving standard therapy— roughly, 13 months compared to less than seven months previously— an extraordinary level of improvement. 

In Context: For decades, first‑line treatment of pancreatic cancer has been aggressive chemotherapy that offers modest benefit and significant side effects.

“Cancer has an on and off switch but people respond differently to treatments,” said John B. Amos Cancer Center pharmacy operations manager Amber Keeton, PharmD. “Rasonque is like turning the lights off on cancer, giving patients more time with loved ones.”

One local patient is hopeful

Ted Metcalfe, a retired truck driver and auto parts worker, from Columbus, Ga., is among more than two dozen patients who are the first to receive this treatment at the John B. Amos Cancer Center. He began having severe pains in his side in February 2025. After visits to an Urgent Care clinic, emergency department and cardiologist, no one could figure out what was wrong. After following up with his primary care provider, diagnostic tests revealed pancreatic cancer.

“I started Ted on chemotherapy, and his body didn’t respond well to it with him ultimately having to go to the emergency department,” John B. Amos Cancer Center hematologist and oncologist Deepti Kantamani, MD, explains. “I then started him on two Rasonque pills daily and it has made all the difference.”

“It has only been a few months, but I can tell some improvements as I’m working to get my strength back,” Metcalfe shares. “I’m grateful to the Piedmont team and thankful my wife of 45 years is right here with me every step of the way.”

Piedmont Pharmacy provides hassle-free access to Rasonque

John B. Amos Cancer Center patients can conveniently get their Rasonque prescription filled at Regional Hope Pharmacy, which is located on the lobby level of the cancer center. This medication is covered by commercial insurances, but patients may also apply for grants and end up with little to no out-of-pocket cost.

“Regional Hope Pharmacy provides quicker turnaround times versus a mail order prescription service,” Keeton says. “We are also the only Piedmont facility to compound this medication and only specialty pharmacy in the Piedmont system that’s devoted to oncology.”

What’s next in cancer care?        

Doctors and researchers are hopeful Rasonque will open the doors for treating other cancers.

“Pancreatic cancer is only the beginning as research shows Rasonque may also prove effective for lung, colon and ovarian cancers,” Dr. Kantamani says. “Although this isn’t a miracle cure-all right now, those of us in the field of cancer care are excited for what the future holds.”