Emerging treatment evolutions and integrated molecular characteristics of biliary tract cancers

Abstract

Biliary tract cancers (BTCs) consist of a group of highly heterogeneous malignancies that are characterized by genomic differences among tumors from different anatomic sites. The current treatment for BTC includes surgery, chemotherapy, target therapy, and immunotherapy. Although surgery remains the primary option for localized disease, representing the only potential curative treatment, a high risk of recurrence cannot be neglected. Chemotherapy has been considered the standard of care for both advanced and metastatic disease and in adjuvant settings. However, drug resistance is a major obstacle associated with chemotherapy. The development of genetic testing technologies, including next-generation sequencing, has opened the door for the identification of drug targets and candidate molecules. A series of preclinical studies has demonstrated the role of gene mutations, abnormal signaling pathways, and immunosuppression in the pathogenesis of BTC, laying the foundation for the application of targeted therapy and immunotherapy. A variety of molecularly targeted agents, including pemigatinib, have shown promising survival benefits in patients with advanced disease. The rapidly evolving role of multimodal therapy represents the subject of this review.

Elevated serum levels of CCL23 are associated with poor outcome after resection of biliary tract cancer

“…Currently, this decision is mostly based on surgical resectability and the patients' performance status, while the tumor biology is not taken into account [6]. Nevertheless, it seems likely that analyses of molecular characteristics of the individual tumor and/or the individual tumor microenvironment may allow stratifying patients into subgroups that will particularly benefit or not benefit from surgical tumor resection [7][8][9][10]. Thus, novel, easily accessible biomarkers might help improving the clinical management of patients with BTC.…”

Elevated Serum Levels of CCL23 Are Associated with Poor Outcome after Resection of Biliary Tract Cancer

“…Currently, this decision is mostly based on surgical resectability and the patients' performance status, while the tumor biology is not taken into account [6]. Nevertheless, it seems likely that analyses of molecular characteristics of the individual tumor and/or the individual tumor microenvironment may allow stratifying patients into subgroups that will particularly benefit or not benefit from surgical tumor resection [7][8][9][10]. Thus, novel, easily accessible biomarkers might help improving the clinical management of patients with BTC.…”

Current Targeted Therapy Options in the Treatment of Cholangiocarcinoma: A Literature Review

“…At the moment, the palliative treatment of BC mainly relies on chemotherapy [28]. Figure 2 shows the treatment strategy in patients with cholangiocarcinoma [29]. One of the most innovative cancer treatment methods today is targeted therapy which contributes to changing approaches to cancer care.…”