Biological characteristics of cancers in the gallbladder and biliary tract and targeted therapy.

Adenocarcinomas of the gallbladder (GBC) and bile ducts (cholangiocarcinoma) (combined as biliary tract cancers, BTC) are uncommon tumors in the United States, but are endemic in parts of South America and Asia. BTC are aggressive tumors with poor survival. Published response rates to chemotherapy are less than 30% and no survival benefit has been demonstrated from palliative systemic therapy. Improved understanding of the biological characteristics and molecular carcinogenic mechanisms of these malignancies may lead to improved therapeutic regimens for patients.