| Theme |
Malignant Biliary Stricture -- Recent Advancements on Diagnosis & Treatment |
| Title |
Current Status of Chemotherapy and/or Immunotherapy for Biliary Tract Cancer |
| Author |
Junji Furuse |
Department of Medical Oncology, Kyorin University School of Medicine |
| Author |
Naohiro Okano |
Department of Medical Oncology, Kyorin University School of Medicine |
| Author |
Daisuke Naruke |
Department of Medical Oncology, Kyorin University School of Medicine |
| Author |
Akiyoshi Kasuga |
Department of Medical Oncology, Kyorin University School of Medicine |
| Author |
Hiroshi Kitamura |
Department of Medical Oncology, Kyorin University School of Medicine |
| Author |
Fumio Nagashima |
Department of Medical Oncology, Kyorin University School of Medicine |
| [ Summary ] |
Since the survival benefits of combined gemcitabine plus cisplatin therapy (GC therapy) over gemcitabine alone have been demonstrated in randomized controlled clinical trials, GC therapy has been recognized as a standard therapy for unresectable biliary tract cancer. GS therapy has also shown promising activity against biliary tract cancer in a randomized phase II study comparing combined gemcitabine plus S-1 chemotherapy (GS therapy) to S-1 alone. Based on these results, a phase III study comparing GS therapy with GC therapy is currently under investigation. No standard treatment has been established as a second line therapy or adjuvant therapy after surgery for biliary tract cancer. Phase III studies using gemcitabine or S-1 are being conducted as adjuvant therapy in Japan. Molecular targeted agents or peptide vaccines are expected as new treatments for biliary tract cancer. Standard treatments for second line therapy and adjuvant therapy are hoped for in the near future. |