CCF’s 12th Annual Conference: Driving Research Priorities for Cholangiocarcinoma Breakthroughs

The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation (CCF)’s 12th annual conference, International Consensus on Research Priorities, is set for April 9-11, 2025, in Salt Lake City, Utah. This milestone gathering aims to accelerate breakthroughs in understanding and treating cholangiocarcinoma by focusing on identifying top research priorities. CCF’s International Cholangiocarcinoma Research Network (ICRN) and the European COST-Action: Precision-BTC-Network (part of the European Network for the Study of Cholangiocarcinoma) are collaborating closely with CCF to lead this critical initiative.

Why It Matters

Establishing a clear and strategic set of research priorities will optimize the use of current funds to attract additional investments from diverse sectors. By leveraging this structured approach, the conference aims to improve focus on the research landscape, unite the scientific community, and empower patients and caregivers to participate actively in this transformative process.

Engaging All Voices

A hallmark of this event is the unique collaboration among patients, caregivers, and scientific experts. Attendees will engage in discussions and vote on research priorities, ensuring that diverse perspectives shape the future of cholangiocarcinoma research. This inclusive environment fosters community-driven advancement, with real-world patient experiences informing and enriching the scientific dialogue.

Structured Working Groups

The conference will feature 10 specialized working groups to address research gaps comprehensively. Each group will comprise 8 to 10 members, including scientific experts, early-career researchers, and a patient research advocate. The groups will be co-chaired by ICRN and Precision-BTC-Network representatives striving for diversity in expertise, geography, and gender. Here’s a glimpse at the areas each working group will cover:

1. Diagnostics/Interventional: innovations in early and accurate diagnosis alongside advanced interventional treatments for postdiagnosis care
2. Surgery: enhancements in surgical techniques, recovery processes, and overall outcomes for patients undergoing procedures
3. Industry and Regulatory: addressing key questions for developing and approving new treatments and fostering collaborations to streamline drug development
4. Science (Discovery): foundational research to reveal molecular and genetic mechanisms driving cholangiocarcinoma
5. Science (Translational): bridging laboratory discoveries with clinical applications to translate research into patient-centered solutions
6. Patients/Advocates and Supportive Care: highlighting gaps in patient support and quality-of-life research to improve outcomes beyond treatment
7. Locoregional and Radiation: investigating the impact and safety of localized and radiation therapies in managing cholangiocarcinoma
8. Pathology: advancing the pathological understanding of the disease for more effective diagnostic and treatment strategies
9. Biomarkers and Early Detec- tion: pursuing biomarkers to enable earlier detection and continuous monitoring of the disease
10. Systemic Therapies: developing and refining chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted treatments to improve patient survival rates

Consensus Building

In preparation for the conference, each working group will review existing research to identify 3 to 4 key priorities.

During the conference, these recommendations will be presented and opened for discussion, and all attendees will participate in refining and finalizing the priorities through voting. This iterative process will continue until a strong consensus is reached.

Next Steps: Publication and Funding

The conference outcomes will culminate in peer-reviewed manuscripts detailing the identified research priorities. The goal is to attract new funding and to launch projects that can deliver meaningful outcomes for patients worldwide.

For more information, visit curecca.org/annual-conference/.