Histotripsy with chemotherapy and immunotherapy for biliary tract cancer
Official title: A Pilot Study Assessing the Safety and Efficacy of Histotripsy as an Adjunctive Treatment for Biliary Tract Cancer
Run by NYU Langone Health · NCT07853690 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This pilot test will see if adding histotripsy to chemoimmunotherapy is safe and feasible for adults with biliary tract cancer.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 24 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | NYU Langone Health Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | durvalumab, pembrolizumab |
| Locations | 1 site (New York, New York) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | October 5, 2026 |
| Main results expected | September 2027 |
| Study ends | September 2028 |
| Registry record updated | October 20, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07853690 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults (18+) with untreated locally advanced or metastatic biliary tract cancer, measurable disease, ECOG 0-2, and adequate organ function.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with rapid disease progression or intolerable toxicity may not benefit from this approach.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This is a two-cohort pilot study in adults with untreated locally advanced or metastatic biliary tract cancer. Cohort 1 adds histotripsy to a chemoimmunotherapy regimen (gemcitabine, cisplatin, durvalumab or pembrolizumab) and tracks safety, objective responses, and survival, with imaging and blood tests before every four cycles. Cohort 2 focuses on patients with biliary obstruction, assessing bilirubin changes and eligibility for chemoimmunotherapy after histotripsy, using similar monitoring. Peripheral blood sampling and imaging are collected at baseline and after every 4 cycles in both cohorts. Expansion to a larger multicenter trial will be considered if safety and feasibility are demonstrated.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience improved disease control and potential eligibility for combination therapy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies in ablative techniques plus systemic therapy suggest potential synergy, but histotripsy in BTC is exploratory and not yet proven.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
Both Cohorts
1. Age \>/= 18 at time of screening
2. Willing and able to provide informed consent for the trial
3. Histologically or cytologically confirmed biliary tract cancer (BTC) including cancers of the intrahepatic bile ducts, extrahepatic bile ducts, and gallbladder
4. Locally advanced or metastatic disease not eligible for resection or transplant
5. RECIST v 1.1 measurable disease
6. No prior systemic therapy for the treatment of locally advanced/metastatic disease a. Recurrent disease after surgical resection must have occurred \>/= 6 months from completion of adjuvant therapy
7. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG PS) 0-2
8. Adequate organ and bone marrow function, defined as:
1. Hemoglobin \> 9.0 g/dL
2. Absolute neutrophil count \> 1.5 x 109/L
3. Platelet count \> 100 x 109/L
4. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) \< 2.5 x ULN
5. Creatinine within normal limits OR measured creatinine clearance (CL) \>50 mL/min OR calculated creatinine clearance (CL) \>50 mL/min as determined by Cockcroft-Gault
9. Willing and able to undergo general anesthesia and histotripsy procedure
10. A tumor(s) for histotripsy treatment ≤3 cm in longest diameter
1. Note: a maximum of three (3) tumors are allowed to be treated with histotripsy during the index procedure, regardless of how many tumors the subject has
11. Subject has an adequate acoustic window to visualize targeted tumor(s) using ultrasound imaging
Cohort 1 1) Additional organ function as below:
a. Bilirubin \< 1.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN). i. Note: patients with Gilbert's Syndrome may be allowed in consultation with the treating physician and the study PI Cohort 2
1. Additional organ function as below:
a. Bilirubin \> 1.5x ULN due to BTC-related biliary tract obstruction after at least 1 attempt at percutaneous/endoscopic stenting
2. With the exception of hyperbilirubinemia, no contraindication to chemoimmunotherapy
Exclusion Criteria:
Both Cohorts
1. Prior exposure to immune-mediated therapy, including, but not limited to, anti-CTLA-4, anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1 and anti-PD-L2 antibodies
2. History of allogeneic or solid organ transplant
3. Active or prior documented autoimmune disorders. The following are exceptions to this criterion:
1. Patients with vitiligo or alopecia.
2. Patients with hypothyroidism (eg, following Hashimoto syndrome) stable on hormone replacement.
3. Any chronic skin condition that does not require systemic therapy.
4. Patients with celiac disease controlled by diet alone.
5. Patients without active disease in the last 5 years may be included but only after consultation with the study PI.
4. Uncontrolled intercurrent illness, including, but not limited to:
a. Ongoing or active infection including but not limited to the below. Patients on prophylactic antibiotics may be eligible after discussion with the study PI.
i. Tuberculosis (tuberculosis testing by local institutional practice is required prior to receipt of chemoimmunotherapy) ii. Hepatitis B (HCV) defined as presence of hepatitis B surface antigen \[HBsAg\] and/or anti-HBcAb with detectable hepatitis B virus \[HBV\] DNA ≥10 IU/mL (testing is required prior to receipt of chemoimmunotherapy).
1\. Patients with a past or resolved HBV infection (defined as the presence of hepatitis B core antibody \[anti-HBc\] and the absence of HBsAg) are eligible.
iii. Hepatitis C (HCV) defined as positive HCV antibody (testing is required prior to receipt of chemoimmunotherapy).
1\. Patients positive for hepatitis C (HCV) antibody are eligible only if the polymerase chain reaction is negative for HCV RNA.
iv. Uncontrolled HIV/AIDS. Testing for HIV 1/2 antibodies is required prior to receipt of chemoimmunotherapy. Patients with known HIV are allowed on study provided they have:
1. A stable regimen of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART)
2. No requirement for concurrent antibiotics or antifungal agents for the prevention of opportunistic infection
3. A CD4 count \> 250 cells/mcL
4. An undetectable HIV viral load on standard PCR-based testing b. Symptomatic congestive heart failure, uncontrolled hypertension, unstable angina pectoris, MI/TIA/CVA within 3 months prior to study enrollment, uncontrolled cardiac arrhythmia.
c. Active interstitial lung disease (ILD) or history of immune-mediated pneumonitis.
d. Active primary immunodeficiency. e. Psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirement, substantially increase the risk of incurring AEs, or compromise the ability of the patient to give written informed consent.
5\) Other co-morbid disease or condition that would cause undue risk and/or interfere with the conduct or interpretation of the trial in the opinion of the treating investigator 6) Patients with a prior or concurrent malignancy whose natural history or treatment has the potential to interfere with the safety or efficacy assessments of the investigational regimen. Patients whose prior or concurrent malignancy natural history and/or treatment does NOT have the potential to impact safety or study assessments are eligible.
7\) Any unresolved toxicity NCI Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Event (CTCAE) Grade ≥2 from a previous anticancer therapy, with the exception of alopecia, vitiligo, and the laboratory values defined in the inclusion criteria. Patients with irreversible toxicity not reasonably expected to be exacerbated by treatment may be included after consultation with the study PI.
8\) Histotripsy-related criteria:
1. Targeted tumor(s) treatment volume overlaps a non-targeted tumor visible via imaging
2. Targeted tumor(s) is not clearly visible with diagnostic ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance (MR) imaging
3. Targeted tumor(s) is located in liver segment 1
4. The Planned Treatment Volume intended to cover the targeted tumor includes or encompasses any portion of the main portal vein, common hepatic duct, common bile duct, gallbladder or stomach/bowel.
9\) Known allergy or hypersensitivity to any of the study drugs or any of the study drug excipients.
10\) Subject is pregnant or planning to become pregnant or nursing (lactating). 11) Subjects of reproductive potential who are not willing to use effective birth control from screening to 180 days after the last dose of GCD/P or 90 days after last dose of D/P monotherapy.
12\) Subject is enrolled in another investigational trial and/or is taking investigational medication and/or has been treated with an investigational device \</= 30 days prior to planned procedure date.
Where it's running
-
NYU Langone Health
New York, New York, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Kristen Spencer, DO, MPH — NYU Langone Health
- Study coordinator: Kristen Spencer, DO, MPHDO, MPH
- Email: cancertrials@nyulangone.org
- Phone: 212-731-6667
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.