Targeted treatment based on molecular characterization improves outcomes in biliary tract cancer, according to results published in Scientific Reports. Bernhard Doleschal, MD, PhD, and colleagues investigated the effectiveness of targeted treatments for patients with biliary tract cancers, particularly after the failure of initial systemic therapies. The multicenter retrospective chart review involved 159 patients. The researchers gathered data on molecular characteristics obtained through next-generation sequencing and immunohistochemistry, as well as patient characteristics and treatment history. Among 79 patients receiving second-line treatments, 36 were administered matched targeted therapies, while 43 received standard cytotoxic chemotherapy. Overall survival for patients administered at least two lines of systemic treatment significantly favored the targeted treatment, with an overall survival of 22.3 months (95% CI, 14.7-29.3) versus 17.5 months (95% CI, 1.7- 19.8; P=0.048).
