The 2025 Chicago Cholangiocarcinoma Symposium, hosted by Dr Anjana Pillai and Dr Andy Liao, will take place on Friday, September 26, from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, at the Knapp Center for Biomedical Discovery in Chicago, IL. The full-day event will bring together physicians, researchers, patients, caregivers, and advocates to explore the latest advancements and address the challenges in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) research and treatment.
The symposium will feature leading voices in the field, including keynote presenter Dr Arndt Vogel, a globally recognized expert in hepatobiliary cancers. Dr Vogel will deliver an address titled “State of the Field: Where We Are and Where We’re Headed in Cholangiocarcinoma,” providing an overview of the current research landscape and emerging areas of innovation. Attendees will benefit from learning more through clinical insight, translational research, and patient-focused dialogue.
The day begins with a Patient and Caregiver Networking Breakfast from 8:00 am to 9:00 am, followed by a welcome from hosts Drs Pillai and Liao. Stacie Lindsey, Founder and CEO of the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation (CCF), will offer an overview of the organization’s mission. The morning sessions are designed to highlight systemic therapy updates in CCA.
Dr Vogel will provide a state-of-the-art overview of current CCA treatment, followed by Dr Joseph Franses highlighting the latest developments in 2025. Dr Lindsay Yassan will discuss emerging approaches to interpreting molecular profiling from cytopathology specimens.
One of the most powerful moments of the symposium will be hearing directly from a patient. Candice Felts will share her experience, offering a firsthand perspective on the realities of diagnosis, treatment, and resilience. Hearing from someone who has walked a similar path can be validating and empowering for other patients and caregivers in attendance.
The session will also include insights from oncology nurses Jessica Kropack, RN, and Leah Kania, who will discuss how nursing roles are evolving to meet the complex needs of patients with CCA. Together, these perspectives help bridge the clinical and emotional aspects of care, which can make a real difference for those navigating the disease.
The third session, Evolution of Nonsystemic Therapies in CCA, moderated by Dr Pillai, will explore local and surgical treatments through a case-based format. Experts will present a range of nonsystemic treatment options, including liver transplant as a curative approach by Dr John Fung; surgical resection and liver-directed therapies by Dr Shishir Maithel; transarterial radioembolization by Dr Abdul Khan; and stereotactic body radiation therapy by Dr Rohan Katipally.
After lunch, the focus will shift to imaging and tumor board collaboration. Dr Yash Singh from the Mayo Clinic will present on the intersection of artificial intelligence and human expertise in CCA care.
The afternoon will feature a Multidisciplinary Tumor Board, moderated by Dr Carla Harmath and Dr Liao, showcasing real case discussions involving hepatologists, oncologists, surgeons, interventional radiologists, and pathologists. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage directly with speakers and one another during lunch and networking breaks. The symposium will close with a Q&A session moderated by Drs Liao and Pillai, offering a space to reflect on the day’s discussions and future opportunities for collaboration.
This symposium offers more than scientific updates; it fosters connection, education, and hope. The 2025 Chicago Symposium is a unique and valuable opportunity for patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers to come together with leading experts, researchers, and advocates to learn about the latest advancements in treatment, explore available resources, and ask pressing questions in a supportive, collaborative environment.
To view the full agenda or register to attend, click here.
And looking ahead—save the date! The Foundation’s 13th Annual Cholangiocarcinoma Conference, marking CCF’s 20th anniversary, will be held May 1-3, 2026, in Salt Lake City, UT. More information will be coming soon.
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