11.1 months

Median survival in patients with pancreatic cancer taking Folfirinox, a novel combination of four drugs already approved to fight other cancers — 4.3 months, or more than 60%, longer than those given standard chemo, according to a French study of 342 patients. It may not seem like a lot of time, but pancreatic cancer is notoriously deadly; fewer than 6% of patients survive five years, and many die within months of diagnosis. Because of the severity of side effects associated with Folfirinox, however, the researchers recommend the treatment be used only in patients under age 76. [via The New England Journal of Medicine]