Precision medicine for advanced biliary tract cancer in China: current status and future perspectives.
10.1007/s11684-025-1144-4
- Author:
Zhen HUANG
1
;
Wen ZHANG
2
;
Yongkun SUN
2
;
Dong YAN
3
;
Xijie ZHANG
4
;
Lu LIANG
4
;
Hong ZHAO
5
Author Information
1. Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
2. Department of Internal Medicine, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
3. Department of Intervention, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
4. Value & Implementation, Global Medical & Scientific Affairs, MSD China, Shanghai, 200233, China.
5. Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China. zhaohong@cicams.ac.cn.
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
China;
biliary tract cancer;
cholangiocarcinoma;
precision medicine
- MeSH:
Humans;
Precision Medicine/methods*;
Biliary Tract Neoplasms/genetics*;
China;
Molecular Targeted Therapy;
Immunotherapy/methods*
- From:
Frontiers of Medicine
2025;19(5):743-768
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Biliary tract cancer (BTC) is a rare group of malignancies that develop from the epithelial lining of the biliary tree and have a poor prognosis. Although chemotherapy is the standard of care for patients with advanced BTC in China, its clinical benefits are moderate. In recent years, the approval of targeted therapies and immunotherapies has provided new avenues for the management of advanced BTC. Nonetheless, the increasing number of personalized medicine approaches has created a challenge for clinicians choosing individualized treatment strategies based on tumor characteristics. In this article, we discuss recent progress in implementing precision medicine approaches for advanced BTC in China and examine genomic profiling studies in Chinese patients with advanced BTC. We also discuss the challenges and opportunities of using precision medicine approaches, as well as the importance of considering population-specific factors and tailoring treatment approaches to improve outcomes for patients with BTC. In addition to providing a comprehensive overview of current and emerging precision medicine approaches for the management of advanced BTC in China, this review article will support clinicians outside of China by serving as a reference regarding the role of patient- and population-specific factors in clinical decision-making for patients with this rare malignancy.
