Combination of gemcitabine and cetuximab in patients with advanced cholangiocarcinoma: a phase II study of the Belgian Group of Digestive Oncology

Background Cholangiocarcinomas are uncommon tumours with a poor prognosis, that frequently present epidermal growth factor receptor overexpression. Methods In a multi-centre phase II trial, patients with unresectable cholangiocarcinoma, naïve to chemotherapy, received Cetuximab (400 mg/m2 at week 1, then 250 mg/m2/week) and Gemcitabine (1 g/m2 on day 1, 8 and 15 every 4 weeks). Primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS) rate at 6 months, using a Simon 2-stage design. Moreover, we assessed the impact of KRAS status and skin toxic effect on efficacy. Results Forty-four patients (41% l... Mehr ...