Increasing mortality in the United States from cholangiocarcinoma: an analysis of the National Center for Health Statistics Database

Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy combined with toripalimab and surufatinib for the treatment of advanced intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

PURPOSE

The aim of the present study is to report the clinical results of patients with advanced intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) who received combination therapy of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC), toripalimab and surufatinib.

METHODS

The study cohort consisted of 28 patients with advanced ICC who were treated with HAIC (mFOLFOX6 regimen, Q3W) in combination with intravenous toripalimab (240 mg, Q3W) and oral surufatinib (150 mg, once daily). The cohort had 14 male and 14 female patients. The baseline characteristics of the study cohort were obtained. The tumor response and drug-associated toxicity were assessed and reported.

RESULTS

During the follow-up period (median follow-up time: 11.3 months; range: 4-19 months), four patients died of tumor progression. The objective response rate and disease control rate were 58% and 79%, respectively. The mPFS was 9.5 months, and the overall survival rate was 83.3%. The most frequent adverse events were nausea and vomiting (100%) and abdominal pain (85.7%). Serious complications related to death were not observed.

CONCLUSION

The combination treatment schedule for advanced ICC demonstrated positive efficacy and safety profiles.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

This study provides promising clinical guidance for the treatment of advanced cholangiocarcinoma and is expected to modify the treatment strategy for this disease.

Textbook outcome in liver surgery for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: defining predictors of an optimal postoperative course using machine learning

BACKGROUND

We sought to define textbook outcome in liver surgery (TOLS) for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) by considering the implications of perioperative outcomes on overall survival (OS).

METHODS

Using a multi-institutional database, TOLS for ICC was defined by employing novel machine learning (ML) models to identify perioperative factors most strongly predictive of OS ≥ 12 months. Subsequently, clinicopathologic factors associated with achieving TOLS were investigated.

RESULTS

A total of 1556 patients with ICC were included. The ML classification models demonstrated that the absence of post-hepatectomy liver failure, intraoperative blood loss <750 mL, absence of major infectious complications, and R0 resection were the perioperative outcomes associated with prolonged OS, thereby defining TOLS for ICC. On multivariable analysis, older age, ASA class >2, lymph node metastasis, receipt of neoadjuvant therapy, advanced T status, poor histological grade and microvascular invasion were independently associated with lower odds of achieving TOLS (all p-values<0.05). Overall, 60.2 % (n = 936) of the patients achieved TOLS, demonstrating markedly improved OS and recurrence-free survival (RFS) than individuals who did not (both p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

A standardized definition of TOLS for ICC was established that may be used to evaluate hospital performance at the patient level and help optimize surgical outcomes for patients with ICC.

Sex-related disparities in outcomes of survival in biliary tract cancer patients

INTRODUCTION

Biliary tract cancer (BTC) is a rare and aggressive cancer with a poor prognosis. Despite treatment, overall survival is less than 12 months. It is a proven fact that women have better chemotherapy responses and survival than men in almost all cancer types. We believe that gender is one of the important factors affecting the prognosis of BTC. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of gender on prognosis in this type of cancer.

METHODS

This study was designed as a single-centre retrospective analysis of patients with BTC. All patients, regardless of operability, were included in the study. Prognostic factors were analysed using univariate and multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 100 patients (48% female) were included in the study. The median follow-up time was 72.2 months (95% CI 39.3-105.0), and the median OS was 9.5 months (95% CI 5.3-13.8) for all study patients. The 72-month survival rate was 13.4%. The observed survival rates at 10.4% for male patients and 15.7% for female patients demonstrate the importance of considering gender as a prognostic factor. A multivariate analysis indicated a significant association between female gender and longer overall survival, with an adjusted hazard ratio of 0.59 (95% CI 0.38-0.92, p = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

It is clear that female gender is associated with a better response to chemotherapy and longer survival in BTCs. These findings should be taken into account in treatment selection and prognosis predictions. Further research may help elucidate the mechanisms underlying these sex differences and help develop more effective treatments.

Cognitive and ataxic adverse events following entrectinib treatment in NTRK1 fusion gene-positive intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: a case report

We report the rare case of severe cognitive disorder and ataxia caused by entrectinib in a patient with NTRK1 fusion gene-positive intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. The case was a 56-year-old woman after nine courses of GCS therapy. The patient experienced grade 1 muscle weakness on day 4 and grade 3, cognitive disorder on day 7 after receiving entrectinib, which led to hospitalization. The symptoms were reversible and tended to improve after withdrawal of entrectinib. It is crucial to increase awareness of TRKi-specific adverse events and their proper management.

Association Between MRI-Based Radiomics Features and Regional Lymph Node Metastasis in Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma and Its Clinical Outcome

BACKGROUND

Regional lymph node metastasis (LNM) assessment is crucial for predicting intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) prognosis. However, imaging assessment has limitations for identifying LNM.

PURPOSE

To investigate the association between MRI radiomics features, regional LNM status, and prognosis in iCCA.

STUDY TYPE

Retrospective.

SUBJECTS

Two hundred ninety-six patients (male = 197) with surgically confirmed iCCA.

FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE

1.5 T and 3.0 T. DWI, T2WI, and contrast-enhanced T1WI.

ASSESSMENT

Clinical information, radiologic, and MRI-based radiomics features associated with LNM status were collected to establish models. Performance of MRI, PET/CT, and the combined LNM models were compared in training (N = 207) and test (N = 89) datasets. Overall survival (OS) was compared based on LNM status.

STATISTICAL TESTS

The independent features were selected by 5-fold cross-validation. The performance of MRI, PET/CT, and the models was evaluated using the area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Univariable and multivariable Cox regression were used to identify independent variables for OS. Kaplan-Meier curves were compared with the log-rank test between LNM positive and negative groups. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Intrahepatic duct dilatation, enhancement pattern, and CA19-9 were independent clinicoradiologic features. The radiomics model was constructed by the independent radiomics features extracted from T2WI and delay phase T1WI. The combined LNM model showed AUC of 0.888, 0.884, and 0.811 in training, validation, and test cohorts with a positive net benefit. PET/CT exhibited similar sensitivity to the combined LNM model (0.750 vs. 0.733, P > 0.999) while the combined LNM model showed higher specificity (0.703 vs. 0.630, P = 0.039) in the test cohort. High risk of regional LNM was significantly associated with worse OS (median: 24 months) than low risk (median: 30 months, P < 0.0001).

DATA CONCLUSIONS

The combined LNM model has the strongest correlation with LNM status for mass-forming iCCA patients.

EVIDENCE LEVEL

3 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.

Age and Tumor Stage Interplay in Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: Prognostic Factors, Mortality Trends, and Therapeutic Implications from a SEER-Based Analysis

BACKGROUND

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), a malignancy originating from the epithelial cells of bile ducts, has shown a notable rise in its incidence over the years. It ranks as the second most frequent primary liver cancer after hepatocellular carcinoma. This study investigates how independent prognostic factors, specifically, age and tumor stage, interact to impact mortality in ICC patients. Furthermore, it examines the clinical features, survival rates, and prognostic indicators of ICC cases diagnosed between 2010 and 2017.

METHODS

Using data from 5083 patients obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, this study evaluated demographic and clinical factors alongside overall mortality (OM) and cancer-specific mortality (CSM). Variables achieving a p-value below 0.1 in univariate Cox regression analysis were incorporated into multivariate Cox regression models to identify independent prognostic factors. Hazard ratios (HRs) exceeding 1 were interpreted as markers of poor prognosis. Additionally, this study explored the interaction between age and tumor stage in shaping survival outcomes.

RESULTS

The multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis indicated higher OM in males (HR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.12-1.26, p < 0.01) and residents of metropolitan counties with populations exceeding 250,000 (HR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.01-1.31, p < 0.05). Conversely, lower OM was observed in individuals aged 40-59 years (HR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.38-0.89, p < 0.05), those aged 60-79 years (HR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.43-0.98, p < 0.05), and patients who received radiation therapy (HR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.72-0.85, p < 0.01), chemotherapy (HR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.51-0.58, p < 0.01), or surgery (HR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.26-0.31, p < 0.01). For CSM, males exhibited higher risks (HR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.10-1.25, p < 0.01), as did individuals in metropolitan counties with populations over 250,000 (HR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.03-1.35, p < 0.05). Reduced CSM was observed in patients aged 40-59 years (HR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.34-0.79, p < 0.01), those aged 60-79 years (HR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.38-0.86, p < 0.01), and those undergoing radiation therapy (HR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.70-0.83, p < 0.01), chemotherapy (HR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.51-0.59, p < 0.01), or surgery (HR = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.25-0.30, p < 0.01). When examining the interaction between age and tumor stage, higher OM was observed in patients aged 40-59 with tumors involving lymph nodes (HR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.14-2.67, p < 0.05). Similarly, CSM was elevated in patients aged 40-59 with lymph node involvement alone (HR = 2.60, 95% CI: 1.26-5.36, p < 0.05) or with direct spread (HR = 2.81, 95% CI: 1.04-7.61, p < 0.05). Among those aged 60-79, higher CSM was noted in cases with lymph node involvement only (HR = 2.24, 95% CI: 1.11-4.50, p < 0.05) or lymph node involvement accompanied by direct extension (HR = 2.93, 95% CI: 1.10-7.82, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This retrospective analysis, utilizing data from the SEER database, provides new insights into mortality patterns in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). This study identifies a significant interplay between two key prognostic factors, emphasizing their collective role in influencing mortality outcomes. Despite the predominance of advanced-stage diagnoses, our analysis underscores the substantial survival benefits associated with treatment interventions, with surgical procedures demonstrating the most pronounced impact. These findings highlight the importance of recognizing patients who may benefit from timely and intensive therapeutic strategies. Furthermore, the results underscore the need for future prospective randomized studies to deepen our understanding of these interactions in ICC, particularly as advancements in precision oncology continue to refine patient care.

Cystatin B Promotes the Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion of Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

Background and Aims: Cystatin B (CSTB) has been demonstrated to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of a number of diseases, including the evolution and progression of multiple cancers. Nevertheless, the function of CSTB in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is yet to be fully elucidated. Methods: By analyzing transcriptome sequencing data from the FU-iCCA cohort, the iCCA-27 cohort, and three public databases, we identified genes associated with iCCA prognosis and selected CSTB as the subject of our study. The expression of CSTB was examined between tumor tissues and adjacent normal tissues obtained from iCCA patients via Western blot analysis. The clinical significance of CSTB was analyzed through immunohistochemical staining of a tissue microarray. Subsequently, the biological effects of CSTB overexpression or knockdown on iCCA cells were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Results: CSTB expression was markedly elevated in the CCA pathological tissues in comparison to the corresponding adjacent normal tissues. A correlation was identified between higher CSTB expression and poorer patient prognosis in the analysis of 176 iCCA patients. It is noteworthy that overexpression or knockdown experiments demonstrated that CSTB plays a role in the proliferation, migration, and invasion of cells. In subcutaneous tumor models in nude mice, the knockdown of CSTB resulted in smaller tumors in terms of size and weight, and a slower growth rate. Conclusions: CSTB plays a significant function in the regulation of iCCA progression and may serve as a promising biomarker for iCCA.

Digestive cancers: mechanisms, therapeutics and management

Cancers of the digestive system are major contributors to global cancer-associated morbidity and mortality, accounting for 35% of annual cases of cancer deaths. The etiologies, molecular features, and therapeutic management of these cancer entities are highly heterogeneous and complex. Over the last decade, genomic and functional studies have provided unprecedented insights into the biology of digestive cancers, identifying genetic drivers of tumor progression and key interaction points of tumor cells with the immune system. This knowledge is continuously translated into novel treatment concepts and targets, which are dynamically reshaping the therapeutic landscape of these tumors. In this review, we provide a concise overview of the etiology and molecular pathology of the six most common cancers of the digestive system, including esophageal, gastric, biliary tract, pancreatic, hepatocellular, and colorectal cancers. We comprehensively describe the current stage-dependent pharmacological management of these malignancies, including chemo-, targeted, and immunotherapy. For each cancer entity, we provide an overview of recent therapeutic advancements and research progress. Finally, we describe how novel insights into tumor heterogeneity and immune evasion deepen our understanding of therapy resistance and provide an outlook on innovative therapeutic strategies that will shape the future management of digestive cancers, including CAR-T cell therapy, novel antibody-drug conjugates and targeted therapies.

Rising Mortality of Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Among Older Adults in the United States: An Analysis of Demographic and Regional Trends

INTRODUCTION

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is the second most frequent primary liver malignancy after hepatocellular carcinoma. Contemporary mortality trends due to ICC are largely unknown. We aim to examine the temporal trends of ICC-related deaths among older adults in the United States from 1999 to 2022.

METHODS

We utilised the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-Ranging, Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (CDC WONDER) database, which provides information from death certificates of all US residents according to the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10).

RESULTS

Between 1999 and 2022, there were 90 996 deaths attributed to ICC among individuals aged 65 and older. Overall, there is an increasing trend in ICC mortality; the total AAMR increased from 5.6 in 1999 to 14.3 in 2022 with an annual increase of 3.3%. Males had consistently higher AAMR than females across all years. For males, AAMR initially increased by 2.9% annually from 1999 to 2015, and since then, the rate has accelerated to a 3.9% annual increase. Conversely, females experienced a steady annual increase of 3.4% in AAMR from 1999 to 2022. When stratified by race, AAMR was highest among the Non-Hispanic (NH) Asian population, followed by Hispanic or Latino, NH Whites and NH Blacks. In brief, the AAMR has increased for all races; however, the NH Black population has experienced the greatest rise in AAMR during the study duration (APC: 4.0%; 95% CI, 3.5 to 4.8). Large metropolitan areas had a higher overall AAMR than small/medium metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas, though the rate of increase was comparable across all regions. States within the top 90th percentile of ICC-related deaths included Minnesota, Alaska, District of Columbia, Wisconsin, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

CONCLUSIONS

Over the past two decades, there has been a consistent rise in mortality rates associated with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma in the United States. This upward trajectory underscores the imperative for additional research aimed at comprehending and delineating the underlying risk factors driving this increase.

Cholangiocarcinoma of the Middle Bile Duct: A Narrative Review

Resectable cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) arising from the middle of the extrahepatic biliary tree has historically been classified as perihilar or distal CCA, depending on the operation contemplated or performed, namely the associated hepatectomy or pancreaticoduodenectomy, respectively. Segmental bile duct resection is a less invasive alternative for select patients harboring true middle extrahepatic CCA (MCC). A small, yet growing body of literature has emerged detailing institutional experiences with bile duct resection versus pancreaticoduodenectomy or concomitant hepatectomy for MCC. Herein, we provide a brief overview of the epidemiology, preoperative evaluation, and emerging systemic therapies for MCC, and narratively review the existing work comparing segmental resection with pancreaticoduodenectomy or less commonly, hepatectomy, for MCC, with emphasis on the surgical management and oncologic implications of the approach used.

Epidemiology, survival and new treatment modalities for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Background

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is a rare biliary tract cancer with increasing incidence and poor survival rates. This study aims to evaluate the incidence and survival trends of iCCA patients over 20 years using a national cancer database, and assess the temporal association between survival and landmark clinical trials.

Methods

Data was extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Age-adjusted incidence rates (AAIRs) were calculated from 2000 to 2020. Overall survival was analyzed based on diagnosis time and disease stage. Subgroup analysis was performed for patients diagnosed between 2015 and 2020. Landmark clinical trials were reviewed to determine temporal changes in survival.

Results

In this analysis of 28,918 iCCA patients, the AAIR increased from 0.49 per 100,000 in 2000 to 1.38 in 2020 [annual percent change (APC) 6.94, 95% confidence interval (CI): 6.32 to 7.56], with a notable decline from 2019 to 2020. Incidence rates overall displayed an uptrend course across subgroups divided by sex, race, age, and disease stage. The age-adjusted median overall survival (mOS) improved from 5.28 months in 2000 to 9.3 months in 2013, then stabilized between 8.0-9.0 months after 2013. Using 2010 as a cutoff, when the ABC-02 trial was published, the decade-based mOS increased from 6.55 months in 2000-2010 to 9.06 months in 2010-2020. During 2015-2020, the overall mOS was 8.8 months, with mOS of 24.3, 12.1, and 5.4 months for local, regional, and distant stages, respectively.

Conclusions

The study indicates a steady rise in iCCA incidence since 2000 across all subgroups. Survival rates improved since 2000 but stabilized after 2013, following the ABC-02 trial publication in 2010. The impact of more recent clinical trials on survival rates requires further analysis in the coming years.

Unveil Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Heterogeneity through the Lens of Omics and Multi-Omics Approaches

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is recognized worldwide as the second leading cause of morbidity and mortality among primary liver cancers, showing a continuously increasing incidence rate in recent years. iCCA aggressiveness is revealed through its rapid and silent intrahepatic expansion and spread through the lymphatic system leading to late diagnosis and poor prognoses. Multi-omics studies have aggregated information derived from single-omics data, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the phenomena being studied. These approaches are gradually becoming powerful tools for investigating the intricate pathobiology of iCCA, facilitating the correlation between molecular signature and phenotypic manifestation. Consequently, preliminary stratifications of iCCA patients have been proposed according to their "omics" features opening the possibility of identifying potential biomarkers for early diagnosis and developing new therapies based on personalized medicine (PM). The focus of this review is to provide new and advanced insight into the molecular pathobiology of the iCCA, starting from single- to the latest multi-omics approaches, paving the way for translating new basic research into therapeutic practices.

Tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes: A promising immunotherapeutic target for preventing immune escape in cholangiocarcinoma

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is becoming more common and deadly worldwide. Tumor-infiltrating T cell subtypes make distinct contributions to the immune system; collectively, they constitute a significant portion of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in CCA. By secreting cytokines and other chemicals, regulatory T cells (Tregs) decrease activated T cell responses, acting as immunosuppressors. Reduced CD8+ T cell activation results in stimulating programmed death-1 (PD-1), which undermines the immunological homeostasis of T lymphocytes. On the other hand, cancer cells are eliminated by activated cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) through the perforin-granzyme or Fas-FasL pathways. Th1 and CTL immune cell infiltration into the malignant tumor is also facilitated by γδ T cells. A higher prognosis is typically implied by CD8+ T cell infiltration, and survival is inversely associated with Treg cell density. Immune checkpoint inhibitors, either singly or in combination, provide novel therapeutic strategies for CCA immunotherapy. Furthermore, it is anticipated that immunotherapeutic strategies-such as the identification of new immune targets, combination treatments involving several immune checkpoint inhibitors, and chimeric antigen receptor-T therapies (CAR-T)-will optimize the effectiveness of anti-CCA treatments while reducing adverse effects.

PTEN deficiency induces an extrahepatic cholangitis-cholangiocarcinoma continuum via aurora kinase A in mice

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The PTEN-AKT pathway is frequently altered in extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (eCCA). We aimed to evaluate the role of PTEN in the pathogenesis of eCCA and identify novel therapeutic targets for this disease.

METHODS

The Pten gene was genetically deleted using the Cre-loxp system in biliary epithelial cells. The pathologies were evaluated both macroscopically and histologically. The characteristics were further analyzed by immunohistochemistry, reverse-transcription PCR, cell culture, and RNA sequencing. Some features were compared to those in human eCCA samples. Further mechanistic studies utilized the conditional knockout of Trp53 and Aurora kinase A (Aurka) genes. We also tested the effectiveness of an Aurka inhibitor.

RESULTS

We observed that genetic deletion of the Pten gene in the extrahepatic biliary epithelium and peri-ductal glands initiated sclerosing cholangitis-like lesions in mice, resulting in enlarged and distorted extrahepatic bile ducts in mice as early as 1 month after birth. Histologically, these lesions exhibited increased epithelial proliferation, inflammatory cell infiltration, and fibrosis. With aging, the lesions progressed from low-grade dysplasia to invasive carcinoma. Trp53 inactivation further accelerated disease progression, potentially by downregulating senescence. Further mechanistic studies showed that both human and mouse eCCA showed high expression of AURKA. Notably, the genetic deletion of Aurka completely eliminated Pten deficiency-induced extrahepatic bile duct lesions. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibition of Aurka alleviated disease progression.

CONCLUSIONS

Pten deficiency in extrahepatic cholangiocytes and peribiliary glands led to a cholangitis-to-cholangiocarcinoma continuum that was dependent on Aurka. These findings offer new insights into preventive and therapeutic interventions for extrahepatic CCA.

IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS

The aberrant PTEN-PI3K-AKT signaling pathway is commonly observed in human extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (eCCA), a disease with a poor prognosis. In our study, we developed a mouse model mimicking cholangitis to eCCA progression by conditionally deleting the Pten gene via Pdx1-Cre in epithelial cells and peribiliary glands of the extrahepatic biliary duct. The conditional Pten deletion in these cells led to cholangitis, which gradually advanced to dysplasia, ultimately resulting in eCCA. The loss of Pten heightened Akt signaling, cell proliferation, inflammation, fibrosis, DNA damage, epigenetic signaling, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, cell dysplasia, and cellular senescence. Genetic deletion or pharmacological inhibition of Aurka successfully halted disease progression. This model will be valuable for testing novel therapies and unraveling the mechanisms of eCCA tumorigenesis.

Mobilization and activation of tumor-infiltrating dendritic cells inhibits lymph node metastasis in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Lymph node metastasis (LNM) facilitates distant tumor colonization and leads to the high mortality in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). However, it remains elusive how ICC cells subvert immune surveillance within the primary tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) and subsequently metastasize to lymph nodes (LNs). In this study, scRNA-seq and bulk RNA-seq analyses identified decreased infiltration of dendritic cells (DCs) into primary tumor sites of ICC with LNM, which was further validated via dual-color immunofluorescence staining of 219 surgically resected ICC samples. Tumor-infiltrating DCs correlated with increased CD8+ T cell infiltration and better prognoses in ICC patients. Mechanistically, β-catenin-mediated CXCL12 suppression accounted for the impaired DC recruitment in ICC with LNM. Two mouse ICC cell lines MuCCA1 and mIC-23 cells were established from AKT/NICD or AKT/YAP-induced murine ICCs respectively and were utilized to construct the footpad tumor LNM model. We found that expansion and activation of conventional DCs (cDCs) by combined Flt3L and poly(I:C) (FL-pIC) therapy markedly suppressed the metastasis of mIC-23 cells to popliteal LNs. Moreover, β-catenin inhibition restored the defective DC infiltration into primary tumor sites and reduced the incidence of LNM in ICC. Collectively, our findings identify tumor cell intrinsic β-catenin activation as a key mechanism for subverting DC-mediated anti-tumor immunity in ICC with LNM. FL-pIC therapy or β-catenin inhibitor could merit exploration as a potential regimen for mitigating ICC cell metastasis to LNs and achieving effective tumor immune control.

First-line hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy plus lenvatinib and PD-(L)1 inhibitors versus systemic chemotherapy alone or with PD-(L)1 inhibitors in unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

PURPOSE

Limited treatment options exist for unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), with systemic chemotherapy (SC) serving as the primary approach. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of first-line hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) in combination with lenvatinib and PD-(L)1 inhibitors (HLP) compared to SC combined with PD-(L)1 inhibitors (SCP) or SC alone in treating unresectable ICC.

METHODS

Patient with unresectable ICC who underwent first-line treatment with HLP, SCP or SC from January 2016 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The study evaluated and compared efficacy and safety outcomes across the three treatment groups.

RESULTS

The study comprised 42, 49, and 50 patients in the HLP, SCP, and SC groups, respectively. Median progression-free survival (PFS) times were 30.0, 10.2, and 6.5 months for HLP, SCP, and SC groups. While the SC group had a median overall survival (OS) time of 21.8 months, the HLP and SCP groups hadn't reached median OS. The HLP group demonstrated significantly superior PFS (p < 0.001) and OS (p = 0.014) compared to the others. Moreover, the HLP group exhibited the highest objective response rate (ORR) at 50.0% and the highest disease control rate (DCR) at 88.1%, surpassing the SC group (ORR, 6.0%; DCR, 52.0%) and SCP group (ORR, 18.4%; DCR, 73.5%) (p < 0.05). Generally, the HLP group reported fewer grades 3-4 adverse events (AEs) compared with others.

CONCLUSION

In contrast to systemic chemotherapy with or without PD-(L)1 inhibitors, the triple combination therapy incorporating HAIC, lenvatinib, and PD-(L)1 inhibitors showcased favorable survival benefits and manageable adverse events for unresectable ICC.

FATP5 Is Indispensable for the Growth of Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

Altered lipid metabolism is a common hallmark of various cancers, including intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), a highly lethal carcinoma that lacks effective treatment options. To elucidate the lipid metabolism changes in ICC, we coupled the expression of the firefly luciferase gene (FFL) to AKT1 (AKT-FFL) via an IRES linker, and then hydrodynamically injected mice with AKT-FFL and Notch1 intracellular cytoplasmic domain (NICD) to establish a luciferase-positive ICC model. This model not only enabled us to monitor and quantify tumor growth by injecting the mice with luciferin, but also allowed us to assess the fatty acid uptake rate by injecting the mice with free fatty acid luciferin (FFA-Luc). The ICC model exhibited robust uptake of exogenous fatty acids compared with the HCC model induced by AKT-FFL/ neuroblastoma Ras (Ras). Lipidomics analysis showed a dramatically higher level of fatty acid in ICC, further supporting the increased fatty acids uptake. Mechanistic studies identified FATP5 as the predominant mediator of fatty acid uptake required for ICC growth using Fatp5 knockout mice and AAV-based shRNA silencing of Fatp5. Our study discovered a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of ICC and shed light on the contributions of lipid metabolism to ICC development.

IMPLICATIONS

This study provides the first in vivo evidence that FATP5 is a potential therapeutic target for treating ICC.

An open-label study of pemigatinib in cholangiocarcinoma: final results from FIGHT-202

BACKGROUND

Fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) fusions and rearrangements are clinically actionable genomic alterations in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Pemigatinib is a selective, potent, oral inhibitor of FGFR1-3 and demonstrated efficacy in patients with previously treated, advanced/metastatic CCA with FGFR2 alterations in FIGHT-202 (NCT02924376). We report final outcomes from the extended follow-up period.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The multicenter, open-label, single-arm, phase II FIGHT-202 study enrolled patients ≥18 years old with previously treated advanced/metastatic CCA with FGFR2 fusions or rearrangements (cohort A), other FGF/FGFR alterations (cohort B), or no FGF/FGFR alterations (cohort C). Patients received once-daily oral pemigatinib 13.5 mg in 21-day cycles (2 weeks on, 1 week off) until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR) in cohort A assessed as per RECIST v1.1 by an independent review committee; secondary endpoints included duration of response (DOR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and safety.

RESULTS

FIGHT-202 enrolled 147 patients (cohort A, 108; cohort B, 20; cohort C, 17; unconfirmed FGF/FGFR alterations, 2). By final analysis, 145 (98.6%) had discontinued treatment due to progressive disease (71.4%), withdrawal by patient (8.2%), or adverse events (AEs; 6.8%). Median follow-up was 45.4 months. The ORR in cohort A was 37.0% (95% confidence interval 27.9% to 46.9%); complete and partial responses were observed in 3 and 37 patients, respectively. Median DOR was 9.1 (6.0-14.5) months; median PFS and OS were 7.0 (6.1-10.5) months and 17.5 (14.4-22.9) months, respectively. The most common treatment-emergent AEs (TEAEs) were hyperphosphatemia (58.5%), alopecia (49.7%), and diarrhea (47.6%). Overall, 15 (10.2%) patients experienced TEAEs leading to pemigatinib discontinuation; intestinal obstruction and acute kidney injury (n = 2 each) occurred most frequently.

CONCLUSIONS

Pemigatinib demonstrated durable response and prolonged OS with manageable AEs in patients with previously treated, advanced/metastatic CCA with FGFR2 alterations in the extended follow-up period of FIGHT-202.

Protective effect of higher free thyroxine levels within the reference range on biliary tract cancer risk: a multivariable mendelian randomization and mediation analysis

Background

Hepatobiliary cancer (HBC), including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and biliary tract cancer (BTC), is currently one of the malignant tumors that mainly cause human death. Many HBCs are diagnosed in the late stage, which increases the disease burden, indicating that effective prevention strategies and identification of risk factors are urgent. Many studies have reported the role of thyroid hormones on HBC. Our research aims to assess the causal effects and investigate the mediation effects between thyroid function and HBC.

Methods

Utilizing the Mendelian randomization (MR) approach, the study employs single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as instrumental variables (IVs) to explore causal links between thyroid function [free thyroxine (FT4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism] and HBC. Data were sourced from the ThyroidOmic consortium and FinnGen consortium. The analysis included univariable and multivariable MR analysis, followed by mediation analysis.

Results

The study found a significant causal association between high FT4 levels and the reduced risk of BTC, but not HCC. However, TSH, hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism had no causal associations with the risk of HBC. Notably, we also demonstrated that only higher FT4 levels with the reference range (FT4-RR) could reduce the risk of BTC because this protective effect no longer existed under the conditions of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. Finally, we found that the protective effect of FT4-RR on BTC was mediated partially by decreasing the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and reducing the waist circumference (WC).

Conclusion

The findings suggest that higher FT4-RR may have a protective effect against BTC, which is partially mediated by decreased risk of MetS and a reduction in WC. This study highlights the potential role of FT4 in the pathogenesis of BTC and underscores that MetS and WC may play mediation effects as two mediators in this process.

Current interventional options for palliative care for patients with advanced-stage cholangiocarcinoma

Primary biliary tract tumors are malignancies that originate in the liver, bile ducts, or gallbladder. These tumors often present with jaundice of unknown etiology, leading to delayed diagnosis and advanced disease. Currently, several palliative treatment options are available for primary biliary tract tumors. They include percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD), biliary stenting, and surgical interventions such as biliary diversion. Systemic therapy is also commonly used for the palliative treatment of primary biliary tract tumors. It involves the administration of chemotherapy drugs, such as gemcitabine and cisplatin, which have shown promising results in improving overall survival in patients with advanced biliary tract tumors. PTBD is another palliative treatment option for patients with unresectable or inoperable malignant biliary obstruction. Biliary stenting can also be used as a palliative treatment option to alleviate symptoms in patients with unresectable or inoperable malignant biliary obstruction. Surgical interventions, such as biliary diversion, have traditionally been used as palliative options for primary biliary tract tumors. However, biliary diversion only provides temporary relief and does not remove the tumor. Primary biliary tract tumors often present in advanced stages, making palliative treatment the primary option for improving the quality of life of patients.

Single center experience using stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) on orthotopic liver transplant protocol for unresectable cholangiocarcinoma

PURPOSE

To evaluate tolerability, pathologic response, and disease outcomes utilizing pre-operative stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) followed by consolidation chemotherapy (CHT) prior to orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) in unresectable cholangiocarcinoma (CCA).

METHODS

This was a retrospective chart review of patients treated on OLT protocol at a single tertiary center from 2012 to 2019. Patients received pre-operative SBRT (40-50 Gy in 5 fractions) followed by CHT until progression or OLT. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared via log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards regression.

RESULTS

26 patients (84.6% hilar, 15.4% intrahepatic) were identified for analysis. Eight patients (30.8%) patients developed acute toxicity after SBRT, mostly grade 1 nausea. Nine (34.6%) patients underwent OLT of which 4 (44.4%) achieved a pathologic complete response (pCR). Five (55.6%) OLT patients, including 2 pCR, developed recurrence at a median time of 49.9 weeks after OLT. 3-year OS for the OLT and dropout cohort was 75% and 9%, respectively (p < 0.0001). OS in hilar tumors only was statistically different for those that achieved a pCR (p = 0.014).

CONCLUSIONS

Pre-operative SBRT is a well-tolerated and effective radiation technique as part of OLT protocol for unresectable CCA and conferred in a pCR rate of 44% within our cohort.

Multiomics analysis reveals metabolic subtypes and identifies diacylglycerol kinase α (DGKA) as a potential therapeutic target for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is a highly heterogeneous and lethal hepatobiliary tumor with few therapeutic strategies. The metabolic reprogramming of tumor cells plays an essential role in the development of tumors, while the metabolic molecular classification of iCCA is largely unknown. Here, we performed an integrated multiomics analysis and metabolic classification to depict differences in metabolic characteristics of iCCA patients, hoping to provide a novel perspective to understand and treat iCCA.

METHODS

We performed integrated multiomics analysis in 116 iCCA samples, including whole-exome sequencing, bulk RNA-sequencing and proteome analysis. Based on the non-negative matrix factorization method and the protein abundance of metabolic genes in human genome-scale metabolic models, the metabolic subtype of iCCA was determined. Survival and prognostic gene analyses were used to compare overall survival (OS) differences between metabolic subtypes. Cell proliferation analysis, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) assay, colony formation assay, RNA-sequencing and Western blotting were performed to investigate the molecular mechanisms of diacylglycerol kinase α (DGKA) in iCCA cells.

RESULTS

Three metabolic subtypes (S1-S3) with subtype-specific biomarkers of iCCA were identified. These metabolic subtypes presented with distinct prognoses, metabolic features, immune microenvironments, and genetic alterations. The S2 subtype with the worst survival showed the activation of some special metabolic processes, immune-suppressed microenvironment and Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS)/AT-rich interactive domain 1A (ARID1A) mutations. Among the S2 subtype-specific upregulated proteins, DGKA was further identified as a potential drug target for iCCA, which promoted cell proliferation by enhancing phosphatidic acid (PA) metabolism and activating mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling.

CONCLUSION

Via multiomics analyses, we identified three metabolic subtypes of iCCA, revealing that the S2 subtype exhibited the poorest survival outcomes. We further identified DGKA as a potential target for the S2 subtype.

Development and validation of web-based nomograms for predicting survival status in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma depending on the surgical status: a SEER database analysis

This study aimed to develop and validate prognostic nomograms that can estimate the probability of 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival (OS) as well as cancer-specific survival (CSS) for Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICCA) patients. Clinical data of 1446 patients diagnosed with ICCA between 2010 and 2017 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database were analyzed. In both the OS and the CSS group, the training cohort and validation cohort were divided into a 7:3 ratio. Age, sex, AJCC T stage, AJCC N stage, AJCC M stage, surgical status, and tumor grade were selected as independent prognostic risk factors to build the nomograms. To compare the efficacy of predicting 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS and CSS rates of the nomogram with the 8th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system, we evaluated the Harrell's index of concordance (C-index), area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and decision curve analysis (DCA) in both cohorts. The results showed the nomogram for 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS and CSS prediction performed better than the AJCC staging system. In the subgroup analysis for patients could not receive surgery as the primary treatment. We developed two nomograms for predicting the 1-, and 2-year OS and CSS rates following the same analysis procedure. Results indicate that the performance of both nomograms, which contained sex, AJCC T stage, AJCC M stage, chemotherapy, and tumor grade and prognostic factors, was also superior to the AJCC staging system. Meanwhile, four dynamic network-based nomograms were published. The survival analysis showed the survival rate of patients classified as high-risk based on the nomogram score was significantly lower compared to those categorized as low-risk (P < 0.0001). Finally, accurate and convenient nomograms were established to assist clinicians in making more personalized prognosis predictions for ICCA patients.

Impact of Altered Body Composition on Clinical and Oncological Outcomes in Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is a common primary liver tumor with limited treatment options and poor prognosis. Changes in body composition (BC) have been shown to affect the prognosis of various types of tumors. Therefore, our study aimed to investigate the correlation between BC and clinical and oncological outcomes in patients with iCCA. All patients with iCCA who had surgery from 2010 to 2022 at our institution were included. We used CT scans and 3D Slicer software to assess BC and conducted logistic regressions as well as Cox regressions and Kaplan-Meier analyses to investigate associations between BC and clinical variables with focus on postoperative complications and oncological outcomes. BC was frequently altered in iCCA (n = 162), with 53.1% of the patients showing obesity, 63.2% sarcopenia, 52.8% myosteatosis, 10.1% visceral obesity, and 15.3% sarcopenic obesity. The multivariate analysis showed no meaningful association between BC and perioperative complications. Myosteatosis was associated with reduced overall survival (OS) in iCCA patients (myosteatosis vs. non-myosteatosis, 7 vs. 18 months, p = 0.016 log rank). Further, the subgroup analysis revealed a notable effect in the subset of R0-resected patients (myosteatosis vs. non-myosteatosis, 18 vs. 32 months, p = 0.025) and patients with nodal metastases (myosteatosis vs. non-myosteatosis, 7 vs. 18 months, p = 0.016). While altered BC is not associated with perioperative outcomes in iCCA, myosteatosis emerges as a prognostic factor for reduced OS in the overall and sub-populations of resected patients.

Molecular targeted and systemic therapy for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: a multi-disciplinary approach

Most patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) are diagnosed with advanced disease. For individuals with resectable tumors, R0 resection with lymphadenectomy is the best potentially curative-intent treatment. After resection, adjuvant therapy with capecitabine is the current standard of care. For patients with unresectable or distant metastatic disease, doublet chemotherapy with gemcitabine and cisplatin is the most utilized first-line regimen, but recent studies using triplet regimens and even the addition of immunotherapy have begun to shift the paradigm of systemic therapy. Molecular therapies have recently received US FDA approval for second-line treatment for patients harboring actionable genomic alterations. This review focuses on the multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of ICC with an emphasis on molecular targeted and systemic therapy.

Immunogenomics of cholangiocarcinoma

The development of cholangiocarcinoma spans years, if not decades, during which the immune system becomes corrupted and permissive to primary tumor development and metastasis. This involves subversion of local immunity at tumor sites, as well as systemic immunity and the wider host response. While immune dysfunction is a hallmark of all cholangiocarcinoma, the specific steps of the cancer-immunity cycle that are perturbed differ between patients. Heterogeneous immune functionality impacts the evolutionary development, pathobiological behavior, and therapeutic response of these tumors. Integrative genomic analyses of thousands of primary tumors have supported a biological rationale for immune-based stratification of patients, encompassing immune cell composition and functionality. However, discerning immune alterations responsible for promoting tumor initiation, maintenance, and progression from those present as bystander events remains challenging. Functionally uncoupling the tumor-promoting or tumor-suppressing roles of immune profiles will be critical for identifying new immunomodulatory treatment strategies and associated biomarkers for patient stratification. This review will discuss the immunogenomics of cholangiocarcinoma, including the impact of genomic alterations on immune functionality, subversion of the cancer-immunity cycle, as well as clinical implications for existing and novel treatment strategies.

Genomics driven precision oncology in advanced biliary tract cancer improves survival

BACKGROUND

Biliary tract cancers (BTCs) including intrahepatic, perihilar, and distal cholangiocarcinoma as well as gallbladder cancer, are rare but aggressive malignancies with few effective standard of care therapies.

METHODS

We implemented integrative clinical sequencing of advanced BTC tumors from 124 consecutive patients who progressed on standard therapies (N=92 with MI-ONCOSEQ and N=32 with commercial gene panels) enrolled between 2011-2020.

RESULTS

Genomic profiling of paired tumor and normal DNA and tumor transcriptome (RNA) sequencing identified actionable somatic and germline genomic alterations in 54 patients (43.5%), and potentially actionable alterations in 79 (63.7%) of the cohort. Of these, patients who received matched targeted therapy (22; 40.7%) had a median overall survival of 28.1 months compared to 13.3 months in those who did not receive matched targeted therapy (32; P < 0.01), or 13.9 months in those without actionable mutations (70; P < 0.01). Additionally, we discovered recurrent activating mutations in FGFR2, and a novel association between KRAS and BRAF mutant tumors with high expression of immune modulatory protein NT5E (CD73) that may represent novel therapeutic avenues.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the identification of actionable/ potentially actionable aberrations in a large proportion of cases, and improvement in survival with precision oncology supports molecular analysis and clinical sequencing for all patients with advanced BTC.

The Cholangiocarcinoma in the Young (CITY) Study: Tumor Biology, Treatment Patterns, and Survival Outcomes in Adolescent Young Adults With Cholangiocarcinoma

PURPOSE

Increased awareness of the distinct tumor biology for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer has led to improvement in outcomes for this population. However, in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), a paucity of data exist on the AYA population. To our knowledge, we present the largest study to date on AYA disease biology, treatment patterns, and survival outcomes in CCA.

METHODS

A multi-institutional cohort of patients with CCA diagnosed with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) or extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ECC) was used for analysis. Retrospective chart review was conducted on patients who were 50 years old and younger (young; n = 124) and older than 50 years (older; n = 723).

RESULTS

Among 1,039 patients screened, 847 patients met eligibility (72% ICC, 28% ECC). Young patients had a larger median tumor size at resection compared with older patients (4.2 v 3.6 cm; P = .048), more commonly had N1 disease (65% v 43%; P = .040), and were more likely to receive adjuvant therapy (odds ratio, 4.0; 95% CI, 1.64 to 9.74). Tumors of young patients were more likely to harbor an FGFR2 fusion, BRAF mutation, or ATM mutation (P < .05 for each). Young patients were more likely to receive palliative systemic therapy (96% v 69%; P < .001), targeted therapy (23% v 8%; P < .001), and treatment on a clinical trial (31% v 19%; P = .004). Among patients who presented with advanced disease, young patients had a higher median overall survival compared with their older counterparts (17.7 v 13.5 months; 95% CI, 12.6 to 22.6 v 11.4 to 14.8; P = .049).

CONCLUSION

Young patients with CCA had more advanced disease at resection, more commonly received both adjuvant and palliative therapies, and demonstrated improved survival compared with older patients. Given the low clinical trial enrollment and poor outcomes among some AYA cancer populations, data to the contrary in CCA are highly encouraging.

The causal relationship between metabolic factors, drinking, smoking and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: a Mendelian randomization study

Background

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is the second most common primary liver cancer. While multiple risk factors for iCCA have been established, metabolic diseases (obesity, diabetes, NAFLD, dyslipidemia, and hypertension) and other risk factors, including smoking and drinking, are still controversial due to their potential confounders. Here, Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was performed to identify the causal relationship between them.

Method

In this study, we obtained GWAS data related to exposures from corresponding large genome-wide association studies. Summary-level statistical data for iCCA were obtained from the UK Biobank (UKB). We performed a univariable MR analysis to identify whether genetic evidence of exposure was significantly associated with iCCA risk. A multivariable MR analysis was conducted to estimate the independent effects of exposures on iCCA.

Results

Univariable and multivariable MR analysis based on the large GWAS data indicated that there is little evidence to support the genetic role of metabolic factors, smoking, drinking, and NAFLD in iCCA development (P >0.05). In contrast to most current studies, their impact on iCCA development, if any, might be smaller than we thought. The previous positive results might be due to the comorbidities between diseases and potentially unavoidable confounding factors.

Conclusion

In this MR study, we found no strong evidence to support causal associations between metabolic factors, NAFLD, smoking, drinking, and iCCA risk.

Survival Analysis of 1140 Patients with Biliary Cancer and Benefit from Concurrent Renin-Angiotensin Antagonists, Statins, or Aspirin with Systemic Therapy

BACKGROUND

Patients with advanced biliary tract cancers (BTCs) have poor prognoses and limited therapeutic options. Renin-angiotensin antagonists (ACE-I/ARBs), statins, and aspirin may have potential anti-tumorigenic effects and decrease mortality per retrospective analyses in some solid tumors.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of ACE-Is/ARBs, statins, and/or aspirin concurrent to first-line systemic therapy in patients with advanced or metastatic BTC.

METHODS

Adult patients at University of Michigan with pathologic confirmation of BTC between January 2010 and December 2020 were included in this retrospective analysis.

RESULTS

Of 1140 patients who met eligibility, a total of 509 patients received one or more concomitant medication(s) of interest in conjunction with systemic therapy for advanced cancer. In the total cohort, the overall survival for locally advanced patients (N = 305) was 16.3 months (95% CI: 12.1-18.6), and metastatic patients (N = 512) 8.6 months (95% CI: 7.6-9.5); P < .0001. Within this concomitant medication cohort, patients with locally advanced stage (n = 132) experienced significantly longer progression-free survival (9.8 vs 4.5; P < 0.0001), and overall survival (17.4 vs 10.6; P < 0.0001) than those with metastatic (n = 297) cancer, respectively. Patients who received ACE-Is/ARBs, statins, and/or aspirin (n = 245) versus not (n = 264) concurrent with systemic anti-cancer therapy did not experience improved progression-free (5.5 vs 5.5 months; hazard ratio (HR) 1.1; P = 0.51), or overall survival (12.3 vs 12.6 months; HR 1.1; P = 0.18), respectively.

CONCLUSION

In contrast to prior studies, no progression free or overall survival benefit in patients with advanced BTC from concurrent use of ACE-I/ARBs, statin, and/or aspirin with systemic therapy was observed when assessed by BTC subtype or specific systemic therapy regimen.

Diagnosis of Indolent Clonorchis sinensis and Opisthorchis viverrini Infections as Risk Factors for Cholangiocarcinoma: An Unmet Medical Need

Background

Cholangiocarcinoma is a highly aggressive cancer of the biliary tract epithelium. This form of cancer is prevalent in Asia, and recent reports show that its incidence is relatively rare but increasing in the United States. Although risk factors for cholangiocarcinoma have yet to be elucidated, a growing body of literature suggests chronic infection of genetically susceptible individuals with the food-borne zoonotic trematodes Clonorchis sinensis (C sinensis) and Opisthorchis viverrini (O viverrini) may play a role.

Observations

Although most infected people remain asymptomatic, untreated indolent infections with C sinensis and O viverrini may persist in peripheral intrahepatic bile ducts for almost 30 years. During this period, the trematodes' feeding activities and their excretory-secretory products may damage the bile duct epithelium and promote local inflammation. These pathological processes could then provoke epithelial desquamation, adenomatous hyperplasia, goblet cell metaplasia, periductal fibrosis, and granuloma formation that are conducive to the initiation and progression of cholangiocarcinoma in genetically susceptible people. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has determined that there is sufficient evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of chronic infections with C sinensis and O viverrini.

Conclusions

Timely serodiagnosis of indolent C sinensis and O viverrini infections is important as these parasites may be a risk factor for cholangiocarcinoma in veterans who served in Vietnam. About 774,000 living Americans served in Vietnam and there is an urgent need to develop sensitive and specific serologic assays to detect both acute and indolent infections. We posit that testing and treatment of high-risk populations could lead to earlier detection and treatment of cholangiocarcinoma, leading to improved overall survival.

FDA Approval Summary: Pemigatinib for Previously Treated, Unresectable Locally Advanced or Metastatic Cholangiocarcinoma with FGFR2 Fusion or Other Rearrangement

On April 17, 2020, the FDA granted accelerated approval to pemigatinib (PEMAZYRE, Incyte Corporation) for the treatment of adults with previously treated, unresectable locally advanced or metastatic cholangiocarcinoma with an FGFR2 fusion or other rearrangement as detected by an FDA-approved test. Approval was based on FIGHT-202 (NCT02924376), a multicenter open-label single-arm trial. Efficacy was based on 107 patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic cholangiocarcinoma whose disease had progressed on or after at least one prior therapy and had an FGFR2 gene fusion or rearrangement. Patients received pemigatinib, 13.5 mg orally, once daily for 14 consecutive days, followed by 7 days off therapy. Safety was based on a total of 466 patients, 146 of whom had cholangiocarcinoma and received the recommended dose. Efficacy endpoints were overall response rate (ORR) and duration of response (DOR) determined by an independent review committee using RECIST 1.1. ORR was 36% (95% confidence interval: 27-45). Median DOR was 9.1 months. The most common adverse reactions were hyperphosphatemia, alopecia, diarrhea, nail toxicity, fatigue, dysgeusia, nausea, constipation, stomatitis, dry eye, dry mouth, decreased appetite, vomiting, arthralgia, abdominal pain, hypophosphatemia, back pain, and dry skin. Ocular toxicity and hyperphosphatemia are important risks of pemigatinib. The recommended dosage is 13.5 mg orally once daily for 14 consecutive days followed by 7 days off therapy in 21-day cycles. FDA also approved the FoundationOne CDX (Foundation Medicine, Inc.) as a companion diagnostic for patient selection.

Impact of the Affordable Care Act on Presentation, Treatment, and Outcomes of Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) transformed the US healthcare system, expanding healthcare insurance coverage. However, its impact on rare malignancies that lack an established screening strategy such as intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) remains ill-defined.

METHODS

Patients diagnosed with ICC were identified from the National Cancer Database and divided relative to ACA implementation. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate association with stage at diagnosis, receipt of surgical and multimodal treatments, and survival.

RESULTS

Among the 9095 patients, 5636 (62.0%) were diagnosed before and 3459 (38.0%) after the implementation of the ACA. Across US regions, rates of early-stage diagnosis increased in the post-ACA era (Northeast, 62.9% vs. 85.2%; South, 63.7% vs. 78.5%; Midwest, 62.1% vs. 83.4%; West, 55.5% vs. 75.4%; p < 0.001). On multivariate analyses, the post-ACA era was associated with increased early-stage diagnosis (OR = 2.19; 95% CI 1.79-2.69), and receipt of surgical treatment (OR = 1.19, 95% CI 1.03-1.38) (both p < 0.01). Furthermore, the ACA's Medicaid expansion (ME) was also associated with improved overall survival (HR = 0.89, 95% CI 0.80-0.99, p = 0.038). Of note, although the odds of receiving surgical treatment increased after ACA for non-Hispanic White patients (OR = 1.34; 95% CI 1.20-1.49; p < 0.001), no such effect was observed in non-Hispanic Black (OR = 1.01, 95% CI 0.71-1.45), Hispanic (OR = 1.44, 95% CI 0.99-2.09), or others (OR = 1.43, 95% CI 0.98-2.10) (all p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The implementation of the ACA increased rates of early diagnosis and receipt of surgical treatment. Additionally, ME improved short- and long-term outcomes. However, racial and socioeconomic disparities persist, resulting in inequitable access to care and outcomes for patients with ICC.

Identification of patients with malignant biliary strictures using a cholangioscopy-based deep learning artificial intelligence (with video)

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Accurately diagnosing malignant biliary strictures (MBSs) as benign or malignant remains challenging. It has been suggested that direct visualization and interpretation of cholangioscopy images provide greater accuracy for stricture classification than current sampling techniques (ie, brush cytology and forceps biopsy sampling) using ERCP. We aimed to develop a convolutional neural network (CNN) model capable of accurate stricture classification and real-time evaluation based solely on cholangioscopy image analysis.

METHODS

Consecutive patients with cholangioscopy examinations from 2012 to 2021 were reviewed. A CNN was developed and tested using cholangioscopy images with direct expert annotations. The CNN was then applied to a multicenter, reserved test set of cholangioscopy videos. CNN performance was then directly compared with that of ERCP sampling techniques. Occlusion block heatmap analyses were used to evaluate and rank cholangioscopy features associated with MBSs.

RESULTS

One hundred fifty-four patients with available cholangioscopy examinations were included in the study. The final image database comprised 2,388,439 still images. The CNN demonstrated good performance when tasked with mimicking expert annotations of high-quality malignant images (area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve, .941). Overall accuracy of CNN-based video analysis (.906) was significantly greater than that of brush cytology (.625, P = .04) or forceps biopsy sampling (.609, P = .03). Occlusion block heatmap analysis demonstrated that the most frequent image feature for an MBS was the presence of frond-like mucosa/papillary projections.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that a CNN developed using cholangioscopy data alone has greater accuracy for biliary stricture classification than traditional ERCP-based sampling techniques.

Predictive risk-score model to select patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma for adjuvant chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to develop a predictive model to identify individuals most likely to derive overall survival (OS) benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) after hepatic resection of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC).

METHODS

Patients who underwent hepatic resection of ICC between 1990 and 2020 were identified from a multi-institutional database. Factors associated with worse OS were identified and incorporated into an online predictive model to identify patients most likely to benefit from AC.

RESULTS

Among 726 patients, 189 (26.0%) individuals received AC. Factors associated with OS on multivariable analysis included CA19-9 (Hazard Ratio [HR]1.17, 95%CI 1.04-1.31), tumor burden score (HR1.09, 95%CI 1.04-1.15), T-category (T2/3/4, HR1.73, 95%CI 1.73-2.64), nodal disease (N1, HR3.80, 95%CI 2.02-7.15), tumor grade (HR1.88, 95%CI 1.00-3.55), and morphological subtype (HR2.19, 95%CI 1.08-4.46). A weighted predictive score was devised and made available online (https://yutaka-endo.shinyapps.io/ICCrisk_model_for_AC/). Receipt of AC was associated with a survival benefit among patients at high/medium-risk (high: no AC, 0% vs. AC, 20.6%; medium: no AC, 36.4% vs. 40.8%; both p < 0.05) but not low-risk (low: no AC, 65.1% vs. AC, 65.1%; p = 0.73) tumors.

CONCLUSION

An online predictive model based on tumor characteristics may help identify which patients may benefit the most from AC following resection of ICC.

Alterations of gut mycobiota profiles in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Objective

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is a silent liver malignancy with an increasing incidence. Gut mycobiota plays a crucial role in benign liver diseases; however, its correlation with ICC remains elusive. This study aimed to elucidate fungal differences in patients with ICC compared to healthy controls.

Methods

The 40 fecal samples from 23 ICC patients and 17 healthy controls were collected and analyzed using ITS2 rDNA sequencing. Obtaining the OTUs and combining effective grouping, we carried out the biodiversity and composition of the fungi, as well as FUNGuild functional annotation.

Results

Our results revealed the presence of intestinal fungal dysbiosis with significant enrichment of opportunistic pathogenic fungi such as Candida and C. albicans, and significant depletion of the beneficial fungus Saccharomyces cerevisiae in ICC patients compared with healthy controls. Alpha-diversity analysis demonstrated that patients with ICC showed decreased fungal diversity compared to healthy controls. Beta diversity analysis indicated that the two groups exhibited significant segregated clustering. Besides, C. albicans was found to be significantly more abundant in the ICC patients with TNM stage III-IV than those with stage I-II. The FUNGuild functional classification predicted that pathotrophs were the most abundant taxon in the ICC group, well above their abundance in healthy controls.

Conclusion

This study indicates that dysbiosis of the fecal mycobiome might be involved in ICC development. Further research into gut fungi may contribute to new therapeutic options for ICC patients.

Efficacy and Safety of First-Line Targeted Treatment and Immunotherapy for Patients with Biliary Tract Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Biliary tract cancer is one of the most aggressive and fatal tumours. Gemcitabine with cisplatin chemotherapy has long been the first-line treatment, but the prognosis is poor. In recent years, targeted treatment and immunotherapy have produced encouraging outcomes requiring a thorough review and meta-analysis.

METHOD

For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched four databases, starting from the inception dates of databases to 11 January 2022. This study comprised randomised clinical trials and cohort studies that used immunotherapy or targeted treatment as the first line of treatment for patients with biliary tract cancer.

RESULTS

From the 888 studies extracted, 33 trials were examined and found to meet the criteria. These included 3087 patients, 16 single-arm trials, 13 RCTs, one nRCT, a prospective single-arm pilot study, and a clinical setting in the real world. From 2010 to 2020, 33 studies were conducted using targeted treatment or immunologic therapies as first-line treatments for BTC patients, and 18 of those studies had positive outcomes.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy as first-line treatment can provide survival benefits by improving the objective response rate for patients with unresectable biliary tract cancer. The potential for combination therapy to become a new trend in clinical treatment is promising but needs further clinical evaluation.

Interventions for unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: a network meta‐analysis

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows:

To establish the existence of differences in effectiveness and safety of intra‐arterial therapies (IATs) such as bland embolisation, conventional transarterial chemoembolisation (cTACE), drug‐eluting bead transarterial chemoembolisation (DEBTACE), yttrium‐90 (Y90), hepatic artery infusion (HAI), external beam radiotherapies (EBRTs), and immunotherapy versus systemic chemotherapy for unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma through pairwise meta‐analysis and network meta‐analysis with subsequent treatment ranking.

FGFR Inhibitors in Cholangiocarcinoma-A Novel Yet Primary Approach: Where Do We Stand Now and Where to Head Next in Targeting This Axis?

Cholangiocarcinomas (CCAs) are rare but aggressive tumours with poor diagnosis and limited treatment options. Molecular targeted therapies became a promising proposal for patients after progression under first-line chemical treatment. In light of an escalating prevalence of CCA, it is crucial to fully comprehend its pathophysiology, aetiology, and possible targets in therapy. Such knowledge would play a pivotal role in searching for new therapeutic approaches concerning diseases' symptoms and their underlying causes. Growing evidence showed that fibroblast growth factor/fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGF/FGFR) pathway dysregulation is involved in a variety of processes during embryonic development and homeostasis as well as tumorigenesis. CCA is known for its close correlation with the FGF/FGFR pathway and targeting this axis has been proposed in treatment guidelines. Bearing in mind the significance of molecular targeted therapies in different neoplasms, it seems most reasonable to move towards intensive research and testing on these in the case of CCA. However, there is still a need for more data covering this topic. Although positive results of many pre-clinical and clinical studies are discussed in this review, many difficulties lie ahead. Furthermore, this review presents up-to-date literature regarding the outcomes of the latest clinical data and discussion over future directions of FGFR-directed therapies in patients with CCA.

Adjuvant treatment for the elderly patient with resected gallbladder cancer: a SEER-Medicare analysis

Background

In patients with resected gallbladder cancer (GBC), the role of adjuvant chemotherapy (aCT) remains ill-defined, especially in elderly patients. This study evaluates the value of aCT in elderly patients with GBC and assesses response according to tumor stage.

Methods

Patients of ≥65 years of age with resected GBC diagnosed from 2004-2015 were identified using a Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER)/Medicare linked database. After propensity score matching, survival of patients treated with aCT was compared to survival of patients who did not receive aCT using Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards analysis.

Results

Of 2,179 patients with resected GBC, 876 (25%) received aCT. In the full cohort of 810 propensity-score matched patients, survival did not differ between patients treated with aCT (17.6 months ) and without aCT (19.5 months, P=0.7720). Subgroup analysis showed that survival was significantly better after aCT in T3/T4 disease (12.3 vs. 7.2 months, P=0.013). Interaction analysis showed that benefit of aCT was primarily seen in combined T3/T4, node-positive disease (HR 0.612 , P=0.006).

Conclusions

In this large cohort of elderly patients with resected GBC, aCT was not associated with increased survival. However, aCT may provide a survival benefit in T3/4, node-positive disease.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: The role of liver transplantation, adjunctive treatments, and prognostic biomarkers

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is a primary epithelial cell malignancy of the liver with rising incidence rate globally. Its insidious presentation, heterogeneous and aggressive biology, and recalcitrance to current therapies results in unacceptably high morbidity and mortality. This has spurred research efforts in the last decade to better characterize it molecularly with translation to improved diagnostic tools and treatments. Much of this has been driven by patient advocacy. This has renewed interest in orthotopic liver transplantation (LT) with adjunctive therapies for iCCA, which was historically disparaged due to poor recipient outcomes and donor organ scarcity. However, the optimal use of LT as a treatment for iCCA care remains unclear. Here, we review the epidemiology of iCCA, the history of LT as a treatment modality, alternative approaches to iCCA local control, the evidence for peri-operative systemic therapies, and the potential roles of biomarkers and targeted agents. In doing so, we hope to prioritize areas for continued research and identify areas where multidisciplinary care can improve outcomes.

Circulating tumor cells as a preoperative risk marker for occult metastases in patients with resectable cholangiocarcinoma

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is an aggressive tumor associated with a high rate of recurrence after resection. An important risk factor for recurrence is the presence of occult metasta-ses, which are not radiologically detectable at the time of diagnosis. There are currently no biomarkers for the preoperative assessment of micrometastases. A previous study demonstrated the prognostic relevance of circulating tumor cells (CTC) in patients with advanced CCA but the potential of CTCs as a preoperative marker for detecting occult metastases has not been investigated so far. In this two-phase study, we first recruited a cohort of 27 patients with histologically proven, metastatic CCA or gallbladder cancer (GBCA) to assess feasibility (feasibility cohort, FC). CTCs were measured in the peripheral blood using the CellSearch System (CSS) between October 2012 and January 2017. Subsequently, in 11 patients undergoing curative-intended resection for CCA (intrahepatic CCA: n =4; extrahepatic CCA n= 6; gallbladder cancer: n=1), peripheral and central venous blood specimens were obtained to improve detection rate by simultaneous measurement and to elucidate distribution of CTCs in different venous compartments. Presence of CTCs detection was correlated with postoperative TNM-status.

In the FC, CTCs (range 1-3 cells, median: 1) were detected in 40% (11/27) patients and were signifi-cantly associated with worse overall survival (hazard ratio: 3.59; 95% CI: 1.79- 7.1; p = 0.04). By combined peripheral and central measurement, CTC detection was increased to 54% (6/11) in the resection cohort (RC) and was associated with metastases that were only identified during the surgical procedure (peritoneal carcinoma: n = 1; infiltration of the duodenum: n = 1) or immediately after surgery (evidence of pulmonary metastases by CT scan two days after resection, not evident on initial tumor staging prior resection). Taken together, in this single center pilot study, we demonstrated that CTCs are detectable in CCA patients and are associated with significantly impaired survival in patients at metastatic stage. Detection rate prior to surgery was improved to >50% by combined peripheral and central measurement. Moreover, preoperative CTC detection may indicate existing metastases and could help to stratify patients more accurately.

Molecular diagnostics and biomarkers in cholangiocarcinoma

Regardless of anatomic origin, cholangiocarcinoma is generally an aggressive malignancy with a relatively high case fatality. Surgical resection with curative intent remains the best opportunity to achieve meaningful long-term survival. Most patients present, however, with advanced disease and less than 20% of patients are candidates for surgical resection. Unfortunately, even patients who undergo resection have a 5-year survival that ranges from 20 to 40%. Biomarkers are indicators of normal, pathologic, or biologic responses to an intervention and can range from a characteristic (i.e., blood pressure reading which can detect hypertension) to specific genetic mutations or proteins (i.e., carcinoembryonic antigen level). Novel biomarkers and improved molecular diagnostics represent an attractive opportunity to improve detection as well as to identify novel therapeutic targets for patients with cholangiocarcinoma. We herein review the latest advances in molecular diagnostics and biomarkers related to the early detection and treatment of patients with cholangiocarcinoma.

Timeline of FDA-Approved Targeted Therapy for Cholangiocarcinoma

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) represents approximately 3% of gastrointestinal malignancies worldwide and constitutes around 10-15% of all primary liver cancers, being only second to hepatocellular carcinoma. Mortality from CCA has been on the rise in recent decades, and in the United States alone there has been a 36% increase in CCA from 1999 to 2014, with over 7000 CCA mortalities since 2013. Targeted therapies, which have been gaining interest due to their greater specificity toward cancer cells, have only recently started gaining FDA approval for the treatment of CCA. In this manuscript, we will go through the timeline of current FDA-approved targeted therapies as well as those that have gained FDA breakthrough therapy designation.

Involvement of Epigenomic Factors in Bile Duct Cancer

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is the second most common type of primary liver cancer. Due to its often-silent manifestation, sporadic nature, and typically late clinical presentation, it remains difficult to diagnose and lacks effective nonsurgical therapeutic options. Extensive research aiming in understanding the mechanisms underlying this disease have provided strong evidence for the significance of epigenetics contributing to its onset, progression, and dissemination. This dysregulation in a myriad of signaling pathways, leading to malignancy, spans altered deoxyribonucleic acid and histone methylation, histone acetylation, and chromatin remodeling, as well as genetic modifications in essential genes controlling these epigenetic processes. An advantage to epigenetic modifications is that they, compared with mutations, are reversible and can partially be controlled by inhibiting the responsible enzymatic machinery. This opens novel possibilities for developing new treatment modalities with benefit for CCA patients.In this article, we have reviewed the current status of epigenome modifications described in CCA, including the role of posttranslational histone modifications and chromatin remodeling, as well as novel advances in treatment options.

Genomic alterations in cholangiocarcinoma: clinical significance and relevance to therapy

Improving the survival of patients with cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) has long proved challenging, although the treatment of this disease nowadays is on advancement. The historical invariability of survival outcomes and the limited number of agents known to be effective in the treatment of this disease has increased the number of studies designed to identify genetic targetable hits that can be efficacious for novel therapies. In this respect, the increasing feasibility of molecular profiling starting either from tumor tissue or circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) has led to an increased understanding of CCA biology. Intrahepatic CCA (iCCA) and extrahepatic CCA (eCCA) display different and typical patterns of actionable genomic alterations, which offer opportunity for therapeutic intervention. This review article will summarize the current knowledge on the genomic alterations of iCCA and eCCA, provide information on the main technologies for genomic profiling using either tumor tissue or cfDNA, and briefly discuss the main clinical trials with targeted agents in this disease.

Updates in Cholangiocarcinoma

Cholangiocarcinoma is a spectrum of invasive adenocarcinomas that arise in the intrahepatic, perihilar, or distal biliary tree, and is classified by location. During JADPRO Live Virtual 2021, Kristen O'Hagan, MSN, RN, ANP-BC, AOCNP®, discussed this complex disease, current treatment strategies, and the role of targeted therapy and how it's changing the treatment landscape for cholangiocarcinoma.

Computer-assisted and magnetic resonance imaging assessment of tumors and tumor invasion of the duodenum

Aim: To present the computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging assessments of benign and malignant duodenal tumors, pancreatic head adenocarcinoma invading the duodenum, and duodenal dystrophy.

Methods: We searched for scientific papers and clinical guidelines in the information and analytical databases PubMed and Google Scholar from the 2013–2021 period using the following search terms: duodenal neoplasms, adenocarcinoma, duodenum, duodenal neuroendocrine tumors, duodenal adenoma, gastrointestinal stromal tumor, cholangiocarcinoma, radiology, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, pancreatic head cancer. Then, we examined the reference lists of all the identified studies to collate the papers that would meet the eligibility criteria.

Results: We analyzed 1494 articles, 22 of which were included in our review. From the papers published within 1992–2021, 35 articles from the reference lists were additionally included. Based on the search results, several domains of articles were clustered; the articles from those domains were reviewed and evaluated that involved the abovementioned diagnostic features.

Conclusion: The early diagnosis and selection of appropriate management methods remain extremely relevant for the treatment of duodenal tumors, and hence, require careful attention from diagnosticians and clinicians.