Identification of Patients for Adjuvant Therapy After Resection of Carcinoma of the Extrahepatic Bile Ducts: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis

Adjuvant Chemotherapy and Outcomes in Older Adult Patients With Biliary Tract Cancer

Importance

The association of adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) with survival in the general population of patients with resected biliary tract cancer (BTC) remains controversial. As such, the role of this treatment in the treatment of older adult patients (aged ≥70 years) needs to be evaluated.

Objective

To describe the patterns of use of AC and compare survival outcomes of AC and observation in older adult patients following resection of BTC.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This retrospective cohort study included 8091 older adult patients with resected BTC with data available in the National Cancer Database from January 1, 2004, to December 31, 2019. Patients were divided into 2 cohorts: AC and observation. The AC cohort was subdivided into single-agent and multiagent AC treatment.

Exposures

Adjuvant chemotherapy vs observation following BTC resection.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was overall survival (OS) of patients who received AC compared with observation following resection of BTC as evaluated using Kaplan-Meier estimates and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models. Inverse probability of treatment weighting and propensity score matching were performed to address indication bias.

Results

Between 2004 and 2019, of 8091 older adult patients with resected BTC identified (median [range] age, 77 [70-90] years; 5136 women [63.5%]; 2955 men [36.5%]), only one-third (2632 [32.5%]) received AC. There was an increase in the use of AC across the study period from 20.7% (n = 495) in 2004 to 2009 to 41.2% (n = 856) in 2016 to 2019. Age 80 years or older (odds ratio, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.25-0.33; P < .001) and gallbladder primary site (odds ratio, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.61-0.83; P < .001) were associated with a lower odds of AC. Following inverse probability of treatment weighting, as a composite, AC was not associated with improved survival (median OS, 20.5 months; 95% CI, 19.2-21.7 months) compared with observation (median OS, 19.0 months; 95% CI, 18.1-20.3 months). A longer median OS was associated with single-agent AC (21.5 months; 95% CI, 19.9-24.0 months) but not multiagent AC (19.1 months; 95% CI, 17.5-21.1 months) compared with observation (median OS, 17.3 months; 95% CI, 16.1-18.4 months). This improvement in OS with single-agent AC was not apparent on multivariable analysis (hazard ratio [HR], 0.97; 95% CI, 0.89-1.05; P = .44). However, age at diagnosis of 80 years or older (HR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.28-1.42; P < .001) and treatment at nonacademic centers (HR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.07-1.20, P < .001) were associated with worse OS.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study of older adult patients, AC was not associated with an improvement in survival compared with observation following BTC resection. These findings suggest the need for further study of AC for older adult patients who may benefit after curative intent surgery for BTC.

Risk Factors for Distant Metastasis in Extrahepatic Bile Duct Cancer after Curative Resection (KROG 1814)

PURPOSE

Risk factors predicting distant metastasis (DM) in extrahepatic bile duct cancer (EHBDC) patients treated with curative resection were investigated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Medical records of 1,418 EHBDC patients undergoing curative resection between Jan 2000 and Dec 2015 from 14 institutions were reviewed. After resection, 924 patients (67.6%) were surveilled without adjuvant therapy, 297 (21.7%) were treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) and 148 (10.8%) with CCRT followed by chemotherapy. To exclude the treatment effect from innate confounders, patients not treated with adjuvant therapy were evaluated.

RESULTS

After a median follow-up of 36.7 months (range, 2.7 to 213.2 months), the 5-year distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) rate was 57.7%. On multivariate analysis, perihilar or diffuse tumor (hazard ratio [HR], 1.391; p=0.004), poorly differentiated histology (HR, 2.014; p < 0.001), presence of perineural invasion (HR, 1.768; p < 0.001), positive nodal metastasis (HR, 2.670; p < 0.001) and preoperative carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 ≥ 37 U/mL (HR, 1.353; p < 0.001) were significantly associated with inferior DMFS. The DMFS rates significantly differed according to the number of these risk factors. For validation, patients who underwent adjuvant therapy were evaluated. In patients with ≥ 3 factors, additional chemotherapy after CCRT resulted in a superior DMFS compared with CCRT alone (5-year rate, 47.6% vs. 27.7%; p=0.001), but the benefit of additional chemotherapy was not observed in patients with 0-2 risk factors.

CONCLUSION

Tumor location, histologic differentiation, perineural invasion, lymph node metastasis, and preoperative CA 19-9 level predicted DM risk in resected EHBDC. These risk factors might help identifying a subset of patients who could benefit from additional chemotherapy after resection.

British Society of Gastroenterology guidelines for the diagnosis and management of cholangiocarcinoma

These guidelines for the diagnosis and management of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) were commissioned by the British Society of Gastroenterology liver section. The guideline writing committee included a multidisciplinary team of experts from various specialties involved in the management of CCA, as well as patient/public representatives from AMMF (the Cholangiocarcinoma Charity) and PSC Support. Quality of evidence is presented using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) format. The recommendations arising are to be used as guidance rather than as a strict protocol-based reference, as the management of patients with CCA is often complex and always requires individual patient-centred considerations.

Prognostic Factors for Distal Bile Duct Carcinoma After Surgery

BACKGROUND

Distal bile duct carcinoma continues to be one of the most difficult cancers to manage in terms of staging and radical resection. Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) with regional lymph node dissection has become the standard treatment of distal bile duct carcinoma. We evaluated treatment outcomes and histological factors in patients with distal bile duct carcinoma.

METHODS

Seventy-four cases of resection of carcinoma of the distal bile ducts treated at our department during the period from January 2002 and December 2016 using PD and regional lymph node dissection as the standard surgical procedure were investigated. Survival rates of factors were analyzed using uni- and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

The median survival time was 47.8 months. On univariate analysis, age of 70 years or older, histologically pap, pPanc2,3, pN1, pEM0, v2,3, ly2,3, ne2,3 and postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy were statistically significant factors. On multivariate analysis, histologically pap was identified as a significant independent prognostic factor. The multivariate analysis identified age of 70 years or older, pEM0, ne2,3 and postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy as showing a significant trend towards independent prognostic relevance.

CONCLUSION

The good news about resected distal bile duct carcinoma is that the percentage of those who achieved R0 resection has risen to 89.1%. Our multivariate analysis identified age of 70 years or older, pEM0, ne2,3 and postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy as prognostic factors. In order to improve the outcome of treatment, it is necessary to improve preoperative diagnostic imaging of pancreatic invasion and lymph node metastasis, establish the optimal operation range and clarify whether aortic lymph node dissection is needed to control lymph node metastasis, and establish effective regimens of chemotherapy.

Adjuvant therapy for cholangiocarcinoma after surgery and prognosis factors for cholangiocarcinoma: A single-center retrospective cohort study

Background

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a highly heterogeneous malignant tumor, and more than 60% of patients have recurrence and metastasis after surgery. The efficacy of postoperative adjuvant therapy for CCA remains unclear. This study aimed to explore whether adjuvant therapy benefits patients with CCA and examine the independent prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS).

Methods

Patients with CCA undergoing surgery were retrospectively enrolled in this study from June 2016 to June 2022. The chi-square test or Fisher exact test was used to analyze the correlation between clinicopathologic characteristics. Survival curves were plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method, and the Cox regression model was used for univariate and multivariate analysis to search for independent prognostic factors.

Results

Of the 215 eligible patients, 119 patients received adjuvant therapy, and the other 96 patients did not. The median follow-up was 37.5 months. The median OS of CCA patients with and without adjuvant therapy was 45 and 18 months (P &lt; 0.001), respectively. The median PFS of CCA patients with and without adjuvant therapy was 34 and 8 months (P &lt; 0.001), respectively. The Cox univariate and multivariate regression analysis showed that preoperative aspartate transaminase and carbohydrate antigen 19-9, microvascular invasion, lymph node metastasis, differentiation degree, and adjuvant therapy were independent prognostic factors for OS (all P values &lt; 0.05). Preoperative carbohydrate antigen 125, microvascular invasion, lymph node metastasis, differentiation degree, and adjuvant therapy were independent prognostic factors for PFS (all P values &lt; 0.05). The stratified analysis by TMN stage detected significant differences in the early stages (median OS [mOS]: P = 0.0128; median PFS [mPFS]: P = 0.0209) and advanced stages (mOS and mPFS: both P values &lt; 0.001). Adjuvant therapy was also identified as a significantly favorable prognostic factor for OS and PFS in the early stages and advanced stages.

Conclusion

Postoperative adjuvant therapy can improve the prognosis of patients with CCA, even in the early stages and advanced stages. All data suggest that adjuvant therapy should be incorporated into the treatment of CCA in all cases, where appropriate.

Radiological Shape of the Tumor Predicts Progression and Survival in Resected Extrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

The histological features and radiological shape of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (eCCA) have not been widely studied in relation to prognosis. Multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) is thought to be useful in diagnosis of progress and tumor distribution; it can also show morphological differences (round, triangular, and square forms) at the tumoral obstruction sites. Histological types of eCCA may be revealed, with potential association with tumor growth and survival.

METHODS

We examined the distribution of tumor radiological shape subtypes on MDCT. The surgical outcomes of consecutive patients with eCCA who underwent macroscopic curative resection were reviewed.

RESULTS

CT subtypes in 109 patients were 62 triangular, 35 square, and 12 round. There were clear prognostic differences in long-term survival rates (P < 0.001); 5-year survival rates were 100% in round, 64% in triangular, and 19% in square types. There was no recurrence in any cases of round-type tumor at the site of obstruction. Depth of tumor invasion and rates of nodal involvement were significantly higher in triangular and square-type tumors than in round-type tumors. In papillary adenocarcinoma, radiological obstructions were round type in seven patients (78%) and triangular type in two patients (22%). In tubular adenocarcinoma, all round-type tumors were well differentiated, the ratio of square-type tumors increasing as the degree of differentiation decreased from "well" to "moderate," and "poor" respectively (23%, 39%, 57%; P = 0.033).

CONCLUSIONS

Tumor radiological shape predicts tumor progression, histological type, and survival in eCCA. This information may be helpful in preoperative radiological staging on MDCT.

American Radium Society (ARS) Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC) for Extrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

Although uncommon, extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (EHCC) is a deadly malignancy, and the treatment approaches remain controversial. While surgery remains the only cure, few patients are candidates for resection up front, and there are high rates of both local and distant failure following resection. Herein, we systematically review the available evidence regarding treatment approaches for patients with EHCC, including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. The evidence regarding treatment outcomes was assessed using the Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome, and Study design (PICOS) framework. A summary of recommendations based on the available literature is outlined for specific clinical scenarios encountered by providers in the clinic to guide the management of these patients.

Predictive risk-score model to select patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma for adjuvant chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to develop a predictive model to identify individuals most likely to derive overall survival (OS) benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) after hepatic resection of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC).

METHODS

Patients who underwent hepatic resection of ICC between 1990 and 2020 were identified from a multi-institutional database. Factors associated with worse OS were identified and incorporated into an online predictive model to identify patients most likely to benefit from AC.

RESULTS

Among 726 patients, 189 (26.0%) individuals received AC. Factors associated with OS on multivariable analysis included CA19-9 (Hazard Ratio [HR]1.17, 95%CI 1.04-1.31), tumor burden score (HR1.09, 95%CI 1.04-1.15), T-category (T2/3/4, HR1.73, 95%CI 1.73-2.64), nodal disease (N1, HR3.80, 95%CI 2.02-7.15), tumor grade (HR1.88, 95%CI 1.00-3.55), and morphological subtype (HR2.19, 95%CI 1.08-4.46). A weighted predictive score was devised and made available online (https://yutaka-endo.shinyapps.io/ICCrisk_model_for_AC/). Receipt of AC was associated with a survival benefit among patients at high/medium-risk (high: no AC, 0% vs. AC, 20.6%; medium: no AC, 36.4% vs. 40.8%; both p < 0.05) but not low-risk (low: no AC, 65.1% vs. AC, 65.1%; p = 0.73) tumors.

CONCLUSION

An online predictive model based on tumor characteristics may help identify which patients may benefit the most from AC following resection of ICC.

Prognostic markers including immune and inflammatory factors predict outcomes in patients receiving postoperative radiation therapy for cholangiocarcinoma

PURPOSE

This study aimed to analyze treatment outcomes and prognostic markers, including immune and inflammatory factors, of postoperative radiation therapy (RT) administered to patients with cholangiocarcinoma (CCA).

METHODS

We retrospectively included 59 patients with CCA who underwent surgery and postoperative RT with curative intent from 2004 to 2019. Patients received external irradiation (50 Gy in 25 fractions) using three-dimensional RT. We analyzed prognostic factors of inflammation, such as pre-RT platelet count, hemoglobin, lymphocyte count ratio (LCR) of the leukocyte count, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR).

RESULTS

Tumor stages were distributed as follows: I (n = 8), II (n = 25), III (n = 15), and IVA (n = 11). The median follow-up was 24 months. Two-year overall survival (OS), cause-specific survival (CSS), progression-free survival (PFS), and locoregional control (LRC) rates were 59.5%, 62.0%, 40.1%, and 66.7%, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that lower LCR was significantly associated with shorter PFS (p = 0.0446). There was no significant difference between the median baseline values of PLR and NLR; and age ≥75, positive regional lymph node metastases (N+), and chemotherapy after RT were significantly associated with poor OS. Multivariate analysis revealed a significant association of N+ with worse OS, PFS, and CSS and that lower LCR was significantly associated with better PFS (p = 0.0234). Among late toxicity events, two patients (3.38%) were suspected with therapy-related liver toxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

Lower LCR before RT was a better prognostic factor for postoperative RT of patients with CCA.

Real-world experience of postoperative adjuvant chemoimmunotherapy in patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma at high risk of recurrence

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to assess whether postoperative adjuvant chemoimmunotherapy could lead to better clinical outcomes for high-risk patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA).

METHODS

In the cohort study, we retrospectively reviewed patients who received surgical resection for pCCA with curative intent from January 2018 to December 2021 at the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital. The patients at high risk for relapse were further analyzed. Among them, 20 patients received adjuvant chemoimmunotherapy, 28 patients received adjuvant chemotherapy, and 33 patients received surgery alone. The oncological outcomes and drug-associated adverse events were evaluated.

RESULTS

The 2-year overall survival (OS) rates in patients treated with adjuvant chemoimmunotherapy, adjuvant chemotherapy, and surgery alone were 80.0%, 49.4% and 22.6%, respectively. Univariable and multivariable Cox analyses showed that the treatment regimen and TNM stage were associated with adverse OS. Adjuvant chemoimmunotherapy led to an increase in OS compared with adjuvant chemotherapy [hazard ratio (HR) = 3.253; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.072-9.870; P = 0.037] or surgery alone (HR = 7.560; 95% CI 2.508-22.785; P < 0.001). The median recurrence-free survival was 22.0 months for the adjuvant chemoimmunotherapy group, 17.0 months for the adjuvant chemotherapy group, and 13.2 months for the surgery alone group (P = 0.177); these differences were not significant. The chemoimmunotherapy group was associated with more frequent hematological side effects than the chemotherapy group, but the difference was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

Postoperative adjuvant chemoimmunotherapy for resected pCCA patients showed improved OS compared with adjuvant chemotherapy or surgery alone, and further prospectively randomized controlled trials are necessary to validate these results.

[Cholangiocarcinoma-Intrahepatic to hilar bile duct cancer]

BACKGROUND

In addition to conditioning measures in liver surgery, perioperative anti-tumor therapy is becoming increasingly more important in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA).

OBJECTIVE

Systematic literature review on the status of multimodal and in particular neoadjuvant therapy for CCA.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Literature overview of the current scientific original and review articles.

RESULTS

Resection and rarely also liver transplantation are still the only curative treatment approaches for CCA in the non-distant metastatic stage; however, long-term results, e.g. in node positive tumors, are still unsatisfactory. Adjuvant chemotherapy is now standard but cannot be used in many patients. Neoadjuvant concepts include chemotherapy and local and locoregional procedures, such as radioembolization. Both are increasingly used in intrahepatic CCA (iCCA) but rarely in perihilar CCA. Initial data show that this is very effective in iCCA to achieve secondary operability in primarily inoperable cases. In addition, based on the current literature, neoadjuvant therapy also seems justified in operable intrahepatic CCA with a high risk of recurrence (e.g. lymph node metastases).

CONCLUSION

There is a high potential for the use of multimodal therapy in CCA, which could further increase in the near future as a result of new therapeutic agents. Due to the lack of evidence clear recommendations cannot be given; however, it is becoming apparent that neoadjuvant therapy is gaining importance in iCCA and is already increasingly used as part of individual concepts in patients with a high risk of recurrence.

Neoadjuvant and Adjuvant Therapy in Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is the second most common primary liver cancer and causes major economic and health burdens throughout the world. Although the incidence of ICC is relatively low, an upward trend has been seen over the past few decades. Owing to the lack of specific manifestations and tools for early diagnosis, most ICC patients have relatively advanced disease at diagnosis. Thus, neoadjuvant therapy is necessary to evaluate tumor biology and downstage these patients so that appropriate candidates can be selected for radical liver resection. However, even after radical resection, the recurrence rate is relatively high and is a main cause leading to death after surgery, which makes adjuvant therapy necessary. Because of its low incidence, studies in both neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings of ICC are lagging compared with other types of malignancy. While standard neoadjuvant and adjuvant regimens are not available in the current guidelines due to a lack of high-level evidence, some progress has been achieved in recent years. In this review, the available literature on advances in neoadjuvant and adjuvant strategies in ICC are evaluated, and possible challenges and opportunities for clinical and translational investigations in the near future are discussed.

Analysis of Post-operative Adjuvant Chemotherapy Versus Adjuvant Chemoradiation Therapy Outcomes in Non-metastatic Cholangiocarcinoma: an NCDB Review

BACKGROUND

Each year, approximately 8000 cases of cholangiocarcinoma are recorded in the USA. Surgical resection is considered to be the only curative option. Despite surgery as a curative approach, many patients will require adjuvant therapies in the form of chemotherapy (ChT) or chemoradiotherapy (CRT). As such, we sought to analyze outcomes in patients with non-metastatic cholangiocarcinoma receiving adjuvant ChT or CRT following surgical resection.

METHODS

We queried the National Cancer Database (NCDB) for patients with a diagnosis of non-metastatic cholangiocarcinoma between the years 2010 and 2015 who underwent adjuvant ChT or CRT following surgery. Overall survival (OS) was calculated using Kaplan Meier method. Cox proportional hazard ratios were used to identify predictors of overall survival, and logistic regression was used to identify predictors of receiving each treatment.

RESULTS

A total of 875 patients were identified who met the above eligibility criteria. Of these patients, 818 received adjuvant chemotherapy alone with 57 patients receiving adjuvant chemoradiation therapy. The median OS in patients receiving CRT was 19.8 months versus 11.9 months for ChT (p value < 0.0238). The 1- and 5-year survival rates between ChT and CRT were 50% vs 61% and 6% vs 13%, respectively (hazard ratio 0.7005; 95% CI 0.51-0.97; p value < 0.0294).

CONCLUSION

The results of this study suggest a potential benefit of chemoradiation therapy in the adjuvant setting, although the trends appear to show rare utilization. Given the limitations of our study, prospective corroboration is warranted.

Role of adjuvant radiotherapy in extrahepatic bile duct cancer: A multicenter retrospective study (Korean Radiation Oncology Group 18-14)

PURPOSE

To evaluate the role of adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) after curative resection in patients with extrahepatic bile duct (EHBD) cancer.

METHODS

Between January 2000 and December 2015, 1475 patients with EHBD cancer who underwent curative resection were accrued from 14 institutions in Korea. Among these, 959 patients did not receive any adjuvant therapy (RT(-) group), while 516 underwent postoperative RT with or without chemotherapy (RT(+) group).

RESULTS

The median age was 67 years. Nodal involvement was present in 482 patients (32.7%), and resection margin was involved in 293 patients (19.9%). RT(+) group had more patients with proximal tumours, advanced tumours, nodal involvement, perineural invasion, and involved resection margin than RT(-) group (all p < 0.001). With a median follow-up of 36 months, there were 211 locoregional recurrences, 307 distant metastases and 322 combined locoregional and distant failures. On multivariate analysis incorporating age, tumour location, differentiation, pT classification, pN classification, perineural invasion and resection margin, adjuvant RT was associated with improved overall survival (hazard ratio, 0.74; 95% confidence interval, 0.63-0.86; p < 0.001). When RT(+) group was separated into RT alone, concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) and CCRT followed by chemotherapy, the greatest benefit was observed in patients treated with CCRT followed by chemotherapy (hazard ratio, 0.52; 95% confidence interval, 0.41-0.68).

CONCLUSIONS

Adjuvant RT combined with chemotherapy improved survival outcomes of resected EHBD cancer patients. Considering the greatest benefit observed in patients receiving CCRT followed by chemotherapy, a randomised controlled trial comparing chemotherapy alone and CCRT followed by chemotherapy is urgently needed.

The Evolving Role of Radiation Therapy in the Treatment of Biliary Tract Cancer

Biliary tract cancers (BTC) are a disease entity comprising diverse epithelial tumors, which are categorized according to their anatomical location as intrahepatic (iCCA), perihilar (pCCA), distal (dCCA) cholangiocarcinomas, and gallbladder carcinomas (GBC), with distinct epidemiology, biology, and prognosis. Complete surgical resection is the mainstay in operable BTC as it is the only potentially curative treatment option. Nevertheless, even after curative (R0) resection, the 5-year survival rate ranges between 20 and 40% and the disease free survival rates (DFS) is approximately 48–65% after one year and 23–35% after three years without adjuvant treatment. Improvements in adjuvant chemotherapy have improved the DFS, but the role of adjuvant radiotherapy is unclear. On the other hand, more than 50% of the patients present with unresectable disease at the time of diagnosis, which limits the prognosis to a few months without treatment. Herein, we review the role of radiotherapy in the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma in the curative and palliative setting.

Survival benefit with adjuvant radiotherapy after resection of distal cholangiocarcinoma: A propensity-matched National Cancer Database analysis

BACKGROUND

No convincing evidence for the benefit of adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) following resection of distal cholangiocarcinoma (dCCA) exists, especially for lower-risk (margin- or node-negative) disease. Hence, the association of adjuvant RT on survival after surgical resection of dCCA was compared with no adjuvant RT (noRT).

METHODS

Using National Cancer Database data from 2004 to 2016, patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy for nonmetastatic dCCA were identified. Patients with neoadjuvant RT and chemotherapy and survival <6 months were excluded. Propensity score matching was used to account for treatment-selection bias. A multivariable Cox proportional hazards model was then used to analyze the association of adjuvant RT with survival.

RESULTS

Of 2162 (34%) adjuvant RT and 4155 (66%) noRT patients, 1509 adjuvant RT and 1509 noRT patients remained in the cohort after matching. The rates of node-negative disease (N0), node-positive disease (N+), and unknown node status (Nx) were 39%, 51%, and 10%, respectively. After matching, adjuvant RT was associated with improved survival (median, 29.3 vs 26.8 months; P < .001), which remained after multivariable adjustment (HR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.80-0.93; P < .001). Multivariable interaction analyses showed this benefit was seen irrespective of nodal status (N0: HR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.66-0.89; P < .001; N+: HR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.71-0.89; P < .001) and margin status (R0: HR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.50-0.67; P < .001; R1: HR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.78-0.96; P = .007). Stratified analyses by nodal and margin status demonstrated consistent results.

CONCLUSIONS

Adjuvant RT after dCCA resection was associated with a survival benefit in patients, even in patients with margin- or node-negative resections. Adjuvant RT should be considered routinely irrespective of margin and nodal status after resection for dCCA.

LAY SUMMARY

Adjuvant radiotherapy after resection of distal cholangiocarcinoma was associated with a survival benefit in patients, even in patients with margin-negative or node-negative resections. Adjuvant radiotherapy should be considered routinely irrespective of margin and nodal status after resection of distal cholangiocarcinoma.

A meta-analysis of the efficacy of postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy versus no radiotherapy for extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and gallbladder carcinoma

Objective

The benefit of adjuvant radiotherapy (ART) for extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (EHCC) and gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) is unclear, with conflicting results from nonrandomized studies. We reported a meta-analysis to determine the impact of adjuvant radiotherapy on survival.

Methods

PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and CNKI databases were searched to identify clinical trials of postoperative ART versus no radiotherapy for EHCC and GBC. The obtained data were analyzed using RevMan 5.3 and Stata 14.0 statistical software. Differences between two groups were estimated by calculating the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

A total of 21 clinical trials involving 1465 EHCC and GBC patients were selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria and included in this meta-analysis. The meta-analysis showed the following: The 5-year overall survival (OS) rate was higher in the ART group than in the no radiotherapy group (OR = 0.63; 95% CI = 0.50–0.81, p = 0.0002). The 5-year OS rate was significantly higher for those with lymph node-positive disease (OR = 0.15; 95% CI 0.07–0.35; p < 0.00001) and margin-positive disease (OR = 0.40; 95% CI 0.19–0.85; p = 0.02) in the ART group than in the no radiotherapy group. ART had a tendency to bring benefit to the 5-year OS of patients with margin-negative disease but the difference was not statistically significant (OR = 0.57, 95% CI 0.30–1,07, p = 0.08). The local recurrence rate was significantly lower in the ART group than in the no radiotherapy group (OR = 0.54; 95% CI = 0.38–0.76, p = 0.0004), and there was no significant difference in the distant metastasis rate between the two groups (OR = 1.33; 95% CI = 0.95–1.87, p = 0.10).

Conclusions

A meta-analysis of the existing study results showed that compared with no radiotherapy, ART is an effective postoperative treatment for EHCC and GBC.

Treatment and survival of resected and unresected distal cholangiocarcinoma: a nationwide study

Background: Population-based data on distal cholangiocarcinoma (DCC) from the Western world are not available, albeit essential to identify areas for improvement. This study investigated the incidence, treatment and outcomes, including time trends and predictors for survival, in a nationwide cohort of DCC. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of patients diagnosed with DCC (2009-2016) derived from the Netherlands Cancer Registry. Overall survival (OS) and its predictors were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis. Time trends (2009-2012 versus 2013-2016) were assessed. Results: Overall, 1338 patients with DCC were included, with 1-, 3- and 5-year OS of 46%, 18%, and 11%. Incidence of DCC was 0.55-0.90 per 100.000 per year. Median OS was 10.4 months across all stages; 21.9 months for resected (n = 620, 46.3%), 6.7 months for unresected nonmetastatic (n = 445, 33.3%), and 3.6 months for metastatic DCC (n = 273, 20.4%) (p < .001). After resection, 30-day mortality was 4.8% and 90-day mortality 7.7%. Patients with metastatic DCC who received chemotherapy (n = 78, 28.6%) had a median OS of 8.2 versus 2.8 months for those not treated (p < .001). Over time, resection rates (53.6% to 61.7%, p = .008) and use of palliative chemotherapy in metastatic DCC (22.3% to 32.9%, p = .05) increased, without improvement in OS (10.3 vs 10.6 months, p = .55). Independent poor prognostic factors for OS in resected disease were increasing age, pT3/T4 stage, higher lymph node ratio, poor differentiation, and R1 resection. Conclusions: In a nationwide cohort of DCC, resection rates and the use of chemotherapy increased whereas OS remained stable at 10.4 months.

Radiation therapy for extrahepatic bile duct cancer: Current evidences and future perspectives

Extrahepatic bile duct cancer (EBDC) is a rare malignancy that involves neoplastic changes extending from both hepatic ducts to the common bile duct. The treatment of choice is surgical resection, but the predominant pattern of initial treatment failure is locoregional recurrence. Accordingly, adjuvant radiotherapy has been administered after surgical resection based on these rationales. At this time, there is minimal evidence supporting adjuvant radiotherapy, because there have been no phase III trials evaluating its benefit. Relatively small retrospective studies have tried to compare outcomes associated with EBDC treated with or without radiotherapy. We aimed to review studies investigating adjuvant radiotherapy for resected EBDC. Because less than one-third of EBDC cases are amenable to curative resection at diagnosis, other locoregional treatment modalities need to be considered, including radiotherapy. The next aim of this review was to summarize reports of definitive radiotherapy for unresectable EBDC. Patients with advanced EBDC often experience biliary obstruction, which can lead to jaundice and progress to death. Biliary stent insertion is an important palliative procedure, but stents are prone to occlusion after subsequent ingrowth of the EBDC. Radiotherapy can be effective for maintaining the patency of inserted stents. We also reviewed the benefit of palliative radiotherapy combined with the biliary stent insertion. Lastly, we discuss the existing gaps in the evidence supporting radiotherapy in the management of EBDC.

Adjuvant Therapy for Resected Biliary Tract Cancer: ASCO Clinical Practice Guideline

PURPOSE

To develop an evidence-based clinical practice guideline to assist in clinical decision making for patients with resected biliary tract cancer.

METHODS

ASCO convened an Expert Panel to conduct a systematic review of the literature on adjuvant therapy for resected biliary tract cancer and provide recommended care options for this patient population.

RESULTS

Three phase III randomized controlled trials, one phase II trial, and 16 retrospective studies met the inclusion criteria.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Based on evidence from a phase III randomized controlled trial, patients with resected biliary tract cancer should be offered adjuvant capecitabine chemotherapy for a duration of 6 months. The dosing used in this trial is described in the qualifying statements, while it should be noted that the dose of capecitabine may also be determined by institutional and regional practices. Patients with extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma or gallbladder cancer and a microscopically positive surgical resection margin (R1 resection) may be offered chemoradiation therapy. A shared decision-making approach is recommended, considering the risk of harm and potential for benefit associated with radiation therapy for patients with extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma or gallbladder cancer. Additional information is available at www.asco.org/gastrointestinal-cancer-guidelines .

The effect of adjuvant chemotherapy in resectable cholangiocarcinoma: A meta-analysis and systematic review

BACKGROUND

The benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy for resectable cholangiocarcinoma remains unclear due to the lack of randomized control studies. This study aimed to investigate the possible benefit of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for resectable cholangiocarcinoma.

DATA SOURCES

Relevant research articles published before 1st March 2018 in PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane library databases were retrieved. Published data were extracted and analyzed by RevMan 5.3, and the results were presented as hazard ratios (HRs) [95% confidence intervals (CI)] and forest plots.

RESULTS

One prospective and eighteen retrospective studies were included, with a total number of 11,458 patients, 4696 of whom received postoperative chemotherapy. There was a significant improvement of the overall survival (OS) for patients who underwent operation + adjuvant chemotherapy compared to those who underwent operation alone (HR = 0.61; P < 0.001). Subgroup analyses show that the postoperative chemotherapy group compared with operation alone group are indicated as follows: hilar cholangiocarcinoma group (HR = 0.60; P < 0.001), intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma group (HR = 0.60; P < 0.001), R1 resection group (HR = 0.71; P = 0.04), LN-positive diagnosis group (HR = 0.58; P < 0.001), gemcitabine-based chemotherapy group (HR = 0.42; P < 0.001), distal cholangiocarcinoma group (HR = 0.48; P = 0.17), R0 resection group (HR = 0.69; P = 0.43), and 5-flurouracil-based chemotherapy group (HR = 0.90; P = 0.66), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy can improve the OS in intrahepatic and hilar cholangiocarcinoma patients. However, distal cholangiocarcinoma patients gain no benefit from postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. Prospective randomized trials are warranted in order to define the standard chemotherapy regimen.

Improved Survival in Surgically Resected Distal Cholangiocarcinoma Treated with Adjuvant Therapy: a Propensity Score Matched Analysis

BACKGROUND

Data on the efficacy of adjuvant therapy (AT) in distal cholangiocarcinoma (dCCA) is limited. This study aimed to determine the role of AT in resected dCCA and identify subgroups that benefit from AT.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of surgically resected dCCA in the NCDB from 2004 to 2013. Patients who received AT or observation (OB) were matched by propensity score. Log-rank test was used to compare OS.

RESULTS

Of 1782 patients with resected dCCA, 840 (47%) were in the OB group and 942 (53%) in the AT group. AT was younger (64.0 vs. 68.7 years, p < 0.001), had less comorbidities (Charlson Deyo score 0) (74.6 vs. 68.0%, p < 0.001), and more likely to have private insurance (p < 0.001). AT was more likely to present with T3/T4 stage (72 vs. 57%, p < 0.001), N1/N2 disease (58 vs. 37%, p < 0.001), and positive surgical margins (26 vs. 16%, p < 0.001). After 1:1 propensity score matching, 500 OB and 500 AT patients were compared. AT was associated with better OS (HR 0.79; 95% CI 0.67-0.93). Median OS was 31 and 25 months for the AT and OB (p = 0.006). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 87, 46, and 31% for AT; 79, 39, and 24% for OB. Subgroup analysis revealed an associated survival advantage for AT in T3/T4 tumors (HR = 0.72; 95% CI 0.59-0.89), node positive disease (HR 0.70; 95% CI 0.56-0.87), and positive margins (HR 0.58; 95% CI 0.42-0.81).

CONCLUSION

AT is associated with improved OS in resected dCCA, especially in T3/T4 tumors, node positive disease, and positive margins.