In this episode of the Oncology Brothers podcast, we had the pleasure of welcoming Dr. Ghassan Abou-Alfa, a medical oncologist specializing in the hepatobiliary space at Memorial Sloan Kettering. We delved into the current treatment landscape for biliary tract cancer, particularly focusing on the advancements in HER2-driven disease.
Dr. Abou-Alfa provided a comprehensive overview of the evolution of treatment options, highlighting the shift from traditional chemotherapy, which offered an overall survival of about 10 to 11 months, to the incorporation of immunotherapy with agents like Dervalumab and Pembrolizumab, which improved median overall survival to approximately 13 months. He emphasized the importance of genetic testing for mutations such as IDH1 and FGFR2, which can significantly influence survival outcomes and more treatment choices.
We discussed the prevalence of these mutations, with FGFR2 fusions occurring in about 5-7% of patients and IDH1 mutations in around 10%. Dr. Abou-Alfa also shed light on the emerging role of HER2 in biliary cancers, noting that while these tumors are relatively uncommon, they are critical to identify and treat appropriately.
The conversation underscored the necessity of a multidisciplinary approach in managing hepatobiliary cancers, involving close collaboration with pathologists and other specialists. We also touched on the importance of next-generation sequencing (NGS) for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning, particularly for HER2 testing.
As we look forward to our next episodes, we will dive deeper into the available HER2-targeted therapies and discuss the management of common side effects associated with these treatments. We hope you find this episode informative and valuable as we continue to explore the rapidly evolving landscape of cancer treatment. Thank you for joining us on this journey!
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Physicians’ Education Resource®, LLC is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
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Acknowledgment of Commercial Support
This activity is supported by an educational grant from Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Link to gain CME credits from this activity:
https://www.gotoper.com/courses/addressing-unmet-needs-in-her2-metastatic-btc