ASCO GI Highlights

The subtypes of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), including intrahepatic CCA and extrahepatic CCA, have various underlying tumor microenvironments, pathobiology, epidemiologic features, and risk factors; however, the genetic underpinnings of the CCA subtypes have not been previously defined.

Mutations associated with homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) have been identified in up to 25% of patients with biliary tract cancers; however, the proportion of patients with germline versus somatic mutations has not been previously defined.

Real-world data are limited regarding the natural history of patients with advanced cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) and FGFR2 fusion or other rearrangements who are receiving therapies for advanced disease. Rachna T. Shroff, MD, of the University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, and colleagues conducted a retrospective, observational natural history study to compare real-world overall survival (OS) in patients with advanced CCA and FGFR2 fusion or other rearrangements versus patients with wild-type FGFR2 from the diagnosis of advanced CCA to death. Dr Shroff presented the study results at the 2022 ASCO GI Cancers Symposium.

The phase 2 FOENIX-CCA2 clinical trial evaluated the investigational FGFR1-4 inhibitor futibatinib in patients with advanced intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) harboring FGFR2 fusion or other rearrangements.

The current standard first-line therapy for advanced cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is the chemotherapy combination of gemcitabine plus cisplatin; only about 40% of patients are amenable to surgery.