Advances in pharmacotherapy for cholangiocarcinoma: from conventional therapies to targeted drugs. (4th March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Spolverato, Gaya; Glavas, Dajana; Hewitt, D. Brock; Brown, Zachary J; Capelli, Giulia; Bergamo, Francesca; Rizzato, Mario Domenico; Pawlik, Timothy M.
• Is Part Of: Expert opinion on pharmacotherapy. Volume 23:Number 4(2022)
• Page Start: 473
• Page End: 481
• Publication Date: 2022-03-04
• Subjects: Chemotherapy -- cholangiocarcinoma -- targeted therapies; Chemotherapy -- Periodicals; 615.5805
• DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2021.2020250
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1465-6566

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Introduction: Cholangiocarcinomas (CCA) are rare, highly invasive tumors often diagnosed at an advanced disease stage with an associated poor prognosis. Surgery represents the only chance for curative-intent treatment, but recurrence rates remain high. Neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy are options for patients with resectable CCA to increase recurrence-free survival and overall survival, while palliative chemotherapy represents the treatment for unresectable disease. Global efforts are currently focused on the development of novel more effective therapies. Areas covered: A review was conducted in August 2021 using the PubMed database with the following keywords: 'cholangiocarcinoma, ' 'chemotherapy, ' and 'therapy.' Manuscripts reporting on first- and second-line chemotherapy, neoadjuvant and adjuvant treatment regimens, and targeted therapies currently being tested or employed in the management of CCA were examined. Expert opinion: The prognosis of CCA is negatively affected by several factors including a lack of reliable biomarkers leading to delayed diagnoses, high inter- and intra-tumoral heterogeneity, and few effective chemotherapy regimens. In pursuit of more effective therapies, ongoing trials are testing both conventional and targeted drugs.