“Annual Review | Professor Yang MingDr. Ming Yang: Latest Developments in Systemic Treatment of Biliary Tract Cancer”

2024.03.12
In the field of biliary tract cancer (BTC) treatment, significant advancements have been made recently. BTC is a highly heterogeneous group of malignancies originating from the epithelium of the bile ducts, presenting challenges in treatment and typically leading to short survival periods for patients. Traditionally, the primary treatment for advanced BTC has been chemotherapy. However, recent developments in immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy as a first-line treatment have shown promise. Additionally, a deeper understanding of the genomic and proteomic characteristics of biliary tumors has led to a clearer classification of molecular subtypes and the discovery of several molecular biomarkers. This has spurred active research in targeted therapies for second-line BTC treatment, significantly altering the treatment landscape for this condition.
Annual Review |Dr. Haitao Zhao: Molecular Characteristics, Diagnosis and Treatment, and New Drug Progress and Exploration Prospects in Biliary Tract Cancer

Annual Review |Dr. Haitao Zhao: Molecular Characteristics, Diagnosis and Treatment, and New Drug Progress and Exploration Prospects in Biliary Tract Cancer

2024.03.12
Editor's Note: Although biliary tract cancer (BTC) is relatively rare, it has a higher incidence in the Southeast Asian population, with 50% of patients already in advanced stages at diagnosis and a survival period of less than one year. Its impact cannot be ignored. In 2023, China saw the approval and market launch of the first-line immunotherapy for BTC, instilling confidence in clinical treatment and ushering in a new era of research exploration. To shed light on this, our journal invited Dr. Haitao Zhao, Director of the Hepatology Department at Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, to review the latest developments in the molecular characteristics, clinical diagnosis and treatment, and new drug research of BTC. He also provides a macroscopic perspective, outlining directions worth exploring, such as precision and personalized treatment. Additionally, he selects three promising treatment clues, aiming to provide important guidance for future clinical practice and research exploration.