Trastuzumab plus nivolumab with gemcitabine and cisplatin as first-line therapy for HER2-positive unresectable biliary tract cancer: a phase 1b/2 trial.

A HER2-targeted quadruplet regimen achieved a 55% objective response rate in first-line treatment of HER2-positive unresectable biliary tract cancer, showing promising efficacy.

• Why it matters: Biliary tract cancers have poor outcomes despite existing therapies, and integrating targeted treatments like HER2 inhibitors into first-line regimens could improve patient survival and response rates.
• What they did: The study evaluated 40 patients with HER2-positive advanced BTC using trastuzumab, nivolumab, gemcitabine, and cisplatin, measuring response rates, progression-free survival, and safety over a median follow-up of 17 months.
• The result: The regimen resulted in a 95% disease control rate, median progression-free survival of 10.6 months, and a 5% rate of curative-intent surgeries, indicating potential for improved first-line treatment strategies.