Current Oncology (Jun 2024)

Integrating Molecular Insights into Biliary Tract Cancer Management: A Review of Personalized Therapeutic Strategies

  • Mar Ros-Buxó,
  • Ezequiel Mauro,
  • Tamara Sauri,
  • Gemma Iserte,
  • Carla Fuster-Anglada,
  • Alba Díaz,
  • Laura Sererols-Viñas,
  • Silvia Affo,
  • Alejandro Forner

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol31070266
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 31, no. 7
pp. 3615 – 3629

Abstract

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Biliary tract cancers (BTCs) are rare and aggressive malignancies with an increasing incidence and poor prognosis. The standard systemic treatment for BTCs has evolved to include immune checkpoint inhibitors associated with gemcitabine–cisplatin as first-line therapies. However, survival rates remain low, highlighting the critical need for personalized treatment strategies based on molecular profiling. Currently, significant advancements have been made in the molecular characterization of BTCs, where genetic alterations, such as IDH1 mutations and FGFR2 fusions, provide targets for therapy. Molecular profiling is crucial early in the management process to identify potential candidates for clinical trials and guide treatment strategy. The integration of these molecular insights into clinical practice has allowed for the development of targeted therapies, although many of them are still in the phase 2 trial stage without definitive survival benefits demonstrated in phase 3 trials. This integration of comprehensive molecular profile insights with traditional treatment approaches offers a new horizon in the personalized medicine landscape for BTCs, with the aim of significantly improving patient outcomes through precision oncology.

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