Primary tumor removal with targeted lymph node removal plus radiation for biliary tract cancer with lymph node spread
Official title: Phase II Study of Primary Tumor Resection and Selective Lymph Node Dissection Followed by Postoperative Radiotherapy for Biliary Tract Cancer With Lymph Node Metastases
Run by Cancer Institute and Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences · NCT07893392 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This phase II study tests whether removing the main tumor and select nearby lymph nodes, followed by postoperative radiation, helps patients with biliary tract cancer and lymph node metastases.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 2 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years to 80 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 73 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Cancer Institute and Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy, immunotherapy |
| Locations | 1 site (Beijing, Beijing Municipality) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | October 8, 2026 |
| Main results expected | October 8, 2028 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2028 |
| Registry record updated | October 26, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07893392 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults aged 18–80 with suspected biliary tract adenocarcinoma and radiologically/node-confirmed lymph node metastases suitable for R0/R1 resection or close to it.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with extensive unresectable disease or contraindications to surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy may not benefit.
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 multicenter, open-label, single-arm phase II trial. Eligible patients undergo surgery to remove the primary biliary tract tumor with selective lymph node dissection, followed by postoperative radiotherapy to the tumor bed and involved nodes. If the surgical margins are clear or close (R0 or R1), patients receive concurrent chemotherapy with capecitabine or S-1 for two cycles, then six cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy. Those with unresectable metastases in lymph nodes receive radiotherapy to the involved regions instead, as appropriate. The study aims to assess safety and feasibility of this combined approach in a heterogeneous biliary tract cancer population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients may experience improved local control and potentially meaningful survival benefits by combining surgery with targeted radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous similar approaches in biliary tract cancer are limited, making this a relatively novel strategy in this disease.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
1. Patients with suspected biliary tract carcinoma who are eligible for surgical exploration, with postoperative pathological confirmation of biliary tract adenocarcinoma;
2. Age 18-80 years;
3. Preoperative assessment indicating that the primary tumor is potentially amenable to R0/R1 resection;
4. Preoperative evidence of lymph node metastases with at least one of the following features indicating that complete surgical resection or lymph node dissection may not be feasible:
* Local invasion of regional lymph nodes, such that complete surgical resection may not be feasible;
* Retroperitoneal lymph node metastases extending beyond the feasible surgical dissection field;
5. Whole-body PET/CT demonstrating metastatic lymph node involvement confined to a contiguous extended lymphatic field that can be encompassed within a single radiotherapy plan, with the involved lymph nodes extending from the lower paraesophageal lymph node region superiorly to the lymph nodes at the level of the abdominal aortic bifurcation inferiorly;
6. No distant organ metastases, non-regional lymph node metastases, or intrahepatic metastatic lesions are allowed. Isolated right internal mammary lymph node or left supraclavicular lymph node involvement is permitted; however, these lesions will not be included in the initial radiotherapy field and may receive subsequent definitive local radiotherapy based on multidisciplinary evaluation and treatment response;
7. Prior systemic therapy, including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy, is permitted. Prior local treatment, including interventional therapy or radiofrequency ablation, is not permitted;
8. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0-2 and a life expectancy of \>3 months;
9. Child-Pugh class A5 or A6;
10. Liver function meeting the following criteria:
* ALT ≤2.5 × the upper limit of normal (ULN), with AST ≤6 × ULN when ALT ≤1.5 × ULN and AST ≤2.5 × ULN when ALT \>1.5 × ULN but ≤2.5 × ULN, after excluding AST elevation due to myocardial infarction;
* Total bilirubin (TBIL) \<60 μmol/L.
11. No clinically significant abnormalities on electrocardiography, no significant cardiac insufficiency, and no contraindication to treatment with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors;
12. Adequate renal function, defined as serum creatinine (CRE) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) ≤2.5 × ULN;
13. Adequate hematologic function, defined as hemoglobin (Hb) ≥80 g/L, absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥0.5 × 10⁹/L, and platelet count (PLT) ≥80 × 10⁹/L;
14. Patients voluntarily participate in this clinical trial and sign an informed consent form.
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Current participation in another interventional clinical trial involving an investigational drug or treatment;
2. Previous abdominal radiotherapy or liver transplantation;
3. Previous local treatment for the current malignancy, including interventional therapy or radiofrequency ablation;
4. Known or suspected drug dependence, substance abuse, or alcohol abuse;
5. Pregnancy or breastfeeding;
6. Severe psychiatric or neurological disorders that may interfere with the ability to provide informed consent or with the reporting or assessment of adverse events;
7. Concurrent second primary malignancy or a history of another malignancy diagnosed within 3 years before enrollment, except for superficial skin cancers, localized low-grade malignancies, or carcinoma in situ that have been adequately treated and are not considered potentially life-threatening due to disease progression;
8. Severe unhealed wounds, ulcers, or fractures;
9. Biliary fistula, gastrointestinal perforation, or intra-abdominal abscess within 4 weeks before enrollment;
10. Unstable angina, myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass grafting, congestive heart failure, or cerebrovascular events, including transient ischemic attack or pulmonary embolism, within 3 months before enrollment;
11. Persistent arrhythmia of CTCAE grade ≥2, atrial fibrillation of any grade, or prolonged QTc interval (QTc \>450 ms in males or \>470 ms in females);
12. Known HIV infection.
Where it's running
-
National Cancer Center/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciecnces and Peking Union Medical College
Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Bo Chen, MD
- Email: chenboo@outlook.com
- Phone: 0086-13240000876
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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.