A perspective on molecular therapy in cholangiocarcinoma: present status and future directions

Research output: Contribution to journalReviewResearchpeer-review

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is an orphan cancer with limited understanding of its genetic and genomic pathogenesis. Typically, it is highly treatment-refractory and patient outcome is dismal. Currently, there are no approved therapeutics for CCA and surgical resection remains the only option with curative intent. Clinical trials are currently being performed in a mixed cohort of biliary tract cancers that includes intrahepatic CCA, extrahepatic/perihilar CCA, distal extrahepatic CCA, gallbladder carcinoma and, in rare cases, even pancreatic cancers. Today, clinical trials fail primarily because they are underpowered mixed cohorts and designed without intent to enrich for markers to optimize success for targeted therapy. This review aims to emphasize current clinical attempts for targeted therapy of CCA, as well as highlight promising new candidate pathways revealed by translational genomics.
Original languageEnglish
JournalHepatic Oncology
Volume1
Issue number1
Pages (from-to)143-157
Number of pages15
ISSN2045-0923
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2014

ID: 110562545