Combination therapy for advanced biliary tract cancer

A Multicenter Phase 1b/2 Trial Investigating the Efficacy and Toxicity of the Combination of Gemcitabine, Cisplatin, Nab-Paclitaxel, and Tislelizumab in Treatment Naïve Patients With Unresectable, Locally Advanced, or Metastatic BTC

Observational CHA University · NCT06893380

This study is testing a new combination of treatments for people with advanced biliary tract cancer to see if it is safe and effective.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment61 (estimated)
Ages19 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorCHA University Academic / other
Drugs / interventionstislelizumab, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation, Durvalumab, Pembrolizumab
Locations1 site (Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do)
Trial IDNCT06893380 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This multicenter clinical trial investigates the safety and efficacy of a combination treatment involving Gemcitabine, Cisplatin, Nab-paclitaxel, and Tislelizumab for patients with unresectable, locally advanced, or metastatic biliary tract cancers. The trial consists of a Phase 1b portion to determine the maximum tolerated dose of Nab-paclitaxel, followed by a Phase 2 portion that evaluates the objective response rate as the primary endpoint. Additional assessments will include overall survival, progression-free survival, disease control rate, and quality of life, with a strong focus on safety and tolerability.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include treatment-naïve patients aged 19 and older with histologically confirmed unresectable or metastatic biliary tract cancer.

Not a fit: Patients with neuroendocrine tumors, sarcoma, mixed cholangiocarcinoma-HCC, or ampullary carcinoma may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could significantly improve survival outcomes for patients with advanced biliary tract cancers.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promising results with similar combination therapies in biliary tract cancers, indicating a potential for success in this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria

* Histologically confirmed biliary tract cancer (BTC), including intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, and gallbladder cancer (excluding neuroendocrine tumors, sarcoma, mixed cholangiocarcinoma-HCC, and ampullary carcinoma).
* Age ≥ 19 years at the time of signing informed consent.
* Treatment-naïve for unresectable or metastatic BTC, or recurrence/metastasis at least 6 months after curative surgery or adjuvant chemotherapy.
* Measurable lesions per RECIST v1.1.
* ECOG Performance Status (PS) of 0-1 within 14 days prior to the first dose.
* Life expectancy of ≥ 3 months.
* Adequate organ function (within 14 days prior to the first dose):

  * Hematologic function: Hemoglobin (Hb) ≥ 9.0 g/dL, Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 1,500/μL, Platelet count ≥ 100,000/μL
  * Renal function: Serum creatinine ≤ 1.5 × ULN or CrCl (Cockcroft-Gault) ≥ 45 mL/min
  * Hepatic function: AST and ALT ≤ 3.0 × ULN (≤ 5.0 × ULN for hepatic metastases), Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 × ULN
  * Coagulation: INR ≤ 1.5 or prothrombin time ≤ 1.5 × ULN, aPTT ≤ 1.5 × ULN
* Reproductive status:

  * Female participants must provide proof of non-childbearing status or a negative serum pregnancy test within 7 days before the first dose.
  * Female subjects receiving cisplatin must agree to effective contraception for 14 months after the last dose; male subjects must agree for 11 months.
  * Women of childbearing potential and non-sterilized men must use at least two effective contraceptive methods during the study and for 6 months after the last dose.
* Cardiac function:

  * Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥ 50% (by echocardiography or MUGA scan)
  * No serious valvular disorders or arrhythmias
  * Corrected QT interval ≤ 470 msec at screening
* Willingness to provide tumor tissue samples by biopsy (endoscopic or excisional).

Exclusion Criteria

* Prior treatment history:

  * Prior systemic chemotherapy, biological therapy, immunotherapy, or hormone therapy for unresectable or metastatic BTC
  * Prior adjuvant chemotherapy or radiation therapy within 6 months before recurrence
* History of another malignancy within 5 years, except:

  * Completely resected basal cell carcinoma, stage 1 squamous cell carcinoma, carcinoma in situ, or superficial bladder cancer
* Unresolved toxicities from prior treatment that could affect study evaluation
* Known hypersensitivity to any study drug (tislelizumab, gemcitabine, cisplatin, nab-paclitaxel)
* Active or history of autoimmune disease, except:

  * Hypothyroidism (on stable hormone therapy), vitiligo, or psoriasis not requiring treatment
* History of interstitial lung disease, pulmonary fibrosis, or radiation pneumonitis
* Active gastrointestinal disease:

  * Active peptic ulcer, colitis, or diverticulitis Known central nervous system (CNS) metastasis
* Uncontrolled tumor-related complications: Pericardial effusion, pleural effusion, or ascites requiring intervention, Uncontrolled tumor-related pain
* Significant cardiovascular conditions:

  * Myocardial infarction within 180 days before enrollment
  * Uncontrolled angina within 180 days before enrollment
  * NYHA Class III or IV congestive heart failure
  * Persistent hypertension ≥ 150/90 mmHg despite treatment
  * Arrhythmias requiring medical intervention
  * Thrombosis or vascular diseases requiring surgery
* Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus
* Active infections requiring systemic treatment within 14 days before the first dose
* Recent treatment history:

  * Systemic corticosteroids (except prophylactic or short-term use) or immunosuppressants within 28 days before the first dose
  * Antitumor therapy (cytotoxic, targeted, or immunotherapy) within 28 days before the first dose
  * Pleurodesis within 28 days before the first dose
  * Major surgery under general anesthesia within 28 days before the first dose
  * Local anesthesia or minor surgery within 14 days before the first dose
  * Radiation therapy within 28 days before the first dose (bone metastasis radiation within 14 days is allowed)
* Positive for:

  * HIV-1 or HIV-2
  * Active Hepatitis B or C (except HBV DNA \<500 IU/mL with stable antiviral therapy)
* Pregnant or breastfeeding women
* Use of unapproved drugs within 28 days before enrollment
* Cognitive impairment preventing informed consent
* Severe neuropathy (Grade ≥ 2, CTCAE v5.0)
* Hearing impairment
* Inability or unwillingness to provide informed consent

Where this trial is running

Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Locally Advanced Biliary Tract CancersMetastatic Biliary Tract Cancers
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.