Abstract
Simple SummaryIncidence of biliary tract cancer is increasing, and patients are frequently diagnosed with unresectable or metastatic disease, when therapeutic options are limited. Due to these reasons, prognosis remains poor and new systemic treatment options are urgently needed. This article reviews the new available data on molecular heterogeneity of biliary tract cancer and especially intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and the novel therapeutic strategies offered by the improved knowledge of the biology of this disease. For these reasons, this topic is of relevant interest for the oncology and hepatology community.Most patients with biliary tract cancer (BTC) are diagnosed with advanced disease, relapse rates are high in those undergoing surgery and prognosis remains poor, while the incidence is increasing. Treatment options are limited, and chemotherapy is still the standard of care in both adjuvant and advanced disease setting. In recent years, different subtypes of BTC have been defined depending on the anatomical location and genetic and/or epigenetic aberrations. Especially for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) novel therapeutic targets have been identified, including fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 gene fusions and isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 and 2 mutations, with molecularly targeted agents having shown evidence of activity in this subgroup of patients. Additionally, other pathways are being evaluated in both iCCA and other subtypes of BTC, alongside targeting of the immune microenvironment. The growing knowledge of BTC biology and molecular heterogeneity has paved the way for the development of new therapeutic approaches that will completely change the treatment paradigm for this disease in the near future. This review provides an overview of the molecular heterogeneity of BTC and summarizes new targets and emerging therapies in development. We also discuss resistance mechanisms, open issues, and future perspectives in the management of BTC.
Highlights
Biliary tract cancers (BTC) represent a heterogeneous group of cancers arising from the bile ducts
BTC are classified into intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, perihilar CCA, distal CCA, and gallbladder cancer (GBC) [1]
A recent Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) focusing on gallstone disease, the main risk factor for GBC, with a subgroup analysis of GBC in the presence of gallstone disease, identified ABCG8 and TRAF3 genes as significantly associated with gallstone disease and GBC in Latinos [45]
Summary
Biliary tract cancers (BTC) represent a heterogeneous group of cancers arising from the bile ducts. From Malenica, I. et al Cancers (Basel) 2020 [23] Considering this scenario, a better understanding of BTC characteristics, pathogenesis, and molecular heterogeneity is urgently needed to develop strategies for early diagnosis, identify new biomarkers, and define new patient-tailored therapeutic approaches with the overarching aim of improving patient outcomes [24,25,26,27,28]. Genetic or epigenetic aberrations have only been identified in small subgroups, and precision medicine remains an important unmet need for most of the patients with advanced BTC [15] For all these reasons, patients with BTC should be evaluated in referral centers where dedicated multidisciplinary teams along with a strong collaboration between researchers and clinicians enable them to receive optimal care, have access to ongoing clinical trials and improve their prognosis [15,33]. Immunological characterization of BTC and potential immunotherapeutic strategies have been reviewed elsewhere [1]
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