title: Combining biological agents and chemotherapy in the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma.
abstract: The nonsurgical treatment of cholangiocarcinoma has seen major changes within the last few years. A multidisciplinary approach is the cornerstone in planning optimal treatment, but despite several examinations the diagnosis is often based on a certain probability, and histopathological confirmation is not always possible. Chemotherapy is effective and the combination of cisplatin and gemcitabine is considered a standard treatment of inoperable cholangiocarcinoma. Biological targeted treatment to date has minor effect when given as monotherapy, but some of the drugs hold promise as an adjunct to chemotherapy. It should, however, be noted that most of the trials are based on few patients, and thus far the literature does not allow for a conclusion as to the role of biological treatment on cholangiocarcinoma. This situation calls for well-designed randomized trials, and international cooperation as well as marker-driven therapy seems mandatory for treatment progress within a reasonable time.
authors.affiliation: Danish Colorectal Cancer Group South, Vejle Hospital, Kabbeltoft 25, DK-7100 Vejle, Denmark.
authors.forename: Lars Henrik
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jakobsen
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001650:Bile Duct Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D001653:Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic / Q000473:pathology*; D001688:Biological Products / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018281:Cholangiocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001688:Biological Products