Dr. Shroff Discusses Molecular Profiling in Cholangiocarcinoma

Rachna T. Shroff, MD, MS, chief, Section of GI Medical Oncology, University of Arizona Cancer Center, discusses the importance of molecular profiling upon diagnosis in patients with cholangiocarcinoma.

There have been a number of exciting developments over the last few years, Shroff says. This new horizon of molecular profiling is changing the landscape and how patients are approached with this disease. However, the majority of patients diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma present with advanced disease.

Clinical trials and options beyond standard combination chemotherapy have become very important, Shroff says. Investigators have found that 30% to 40% of patients have targetable mutations that can be identified with molecular profiling. Targeted therapies are under investigation to target some of these molecular abnormalities; therefore, it is necessary for patients to have a standard tissue or liquid biopsy sent for molecular profiling at the time of diagnosis, she adds. This way, physicians can determine an optimal treatment sequence.

View more from the 2019 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium