Advancements in CCA and BTC Treatment: Highlights From the 2026 ASCO GI Cancers Symposium

Dear Readers,

I can hardly believe it is almost spring already! With the change in season comes renewed energy, reflected in the important data presented at the 2026 ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium.

Real-world analyses by Dr Vaibhav Sahai from the University of Michigan and Dr Richard Kim from the Moffitt Cancer Institute confirm that durvalumab- or pembrolizumab-based combinations with gemcitabine and cisplatin are delivering meaningful survival benefits in routine practice, reinforcing the TOPAZ-1 findings. In IDH1-mutant disease, Dr Rachna Shroff from the University of Arizona highlighted the importance of molecular testing and the role of ivosidenib in the second-line setting, and Dr Do-Youn Oh from Seoul National University presented early data supporting frontline combinations of ivosidenib with chemoimmunotherapy.

Progress in FGFR2-altered disease continues, with Dr Antoine Hollebecque from Gustave Roussy reporting strong results for lirafugratinib, and Dr Angela Lamarca demonstrating tinengotinib’s potential to overcome FGFR inhibitor resistance. In HER2-positive biliary tract cancers, Dr James Harding from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center showed that response to zanidatamab correlates with improved survival. Encouragingly, Dr Jian Zhou from Fudan University also presented adjuvant data suggesting immunotherapy may improve recurrence-free survival after resection of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Together, these updates reflect steady advances in precision medicine and earlier immune-based strategies.

We also look forward to the 13th Annual Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation (CCF) Conference, May 1-3, 2026, in Salt Lake City, Utah (with a virtual option), marking the CCF’s 20th anniversary and bringing our community together once again.

Thank you for your continued dedication to advancing care and supporting patients and families.

Warm regards,

Milind Javle, MD