Biliary Tract Cancer: Implicated Immune-Mediated Pathways and Their Associated Potential Targets

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Biliary tract cancers (BTC) are strongly associated with chronic inflammatory conditions like primary sclerosing cholangitis and liver fluke infestations.
• These risk factors suggest that immune system modulation could be a viable therapeutic strategy for BTC, a disease with a poor prognosis and limited treatment options.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current landscape of immune-based therapies investigated for biliary tract cancers (BTC).
• To assess the potential of immunomodulatory agents in treating BTC, considering the established link with chronic inflammation.

Main Methods:

• Review of clinical trials evaluating immune cells, inflammatory biomarkers, vaccines, cytokines, adoptive cell therapy, and immune checkpoint inhibitors in BTC patients.
• Analysis of the immune microenvironment's role in BTC development and progression.

Main Results:

• Clinical trials have explored various immune-based strategies, demonstrating the significance of the immune environment in BTC.
• Despite promising research, no immune-based therapies have yet received regulatory approval for BTC treatment.

Conclusions:

• The immune microenvironment plays a crucial role in biliary tract cancers (BTC).
• Immunomodulatory agents represent a developing area for BTC treatment, but further research is needed to translate these findings from the laboratory to clinical practice.