New Breakthroughs for Liver Transplantation of Cholangiocarcinoma

Purpose Liver transplantation (LT) has gained ground as a treatment for cholangiocarcinoma. LT has achieved an established role as curative treatment for unresectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma (hCCA), and there are emerging data supporting its use in select patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA). This review explores the current frontiers and future directions of LT for CCA. Recent Findings Results of retrospective studies support randomized trials of LT for resectable hCCA. Select patients with iCCA who have small tumors or favorable disease biology, as demonstrated by response to neoadjuvant therapy, have long-term survival after LT. Discoveries in the biology of iCCA show patients with FGFR and other genetic abnormalities have improved outcomes and may benefit from targeted therapies. The outcomes of LT for CCA support its increased utilization. Policies should be considered to increase accessibility of donor organs for patients with iCCA.

Automated summary

Liver transplantation has become an effective treatment for cholangiocarcinoma, particularly for unresectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma. There is increasing evidence supporting the use of LT in select patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, especially those with small tumors or favorable disease biology. Furthermore, discoveries in the biology of iCCA suggest that patients with certain genetic abnormalities may benefit from targeted therapies after LT.