If you have biliary tract cancer (extrahepatic or hepatic cholangiocarcinoma) or gallbladder cancer, which is often included under the umbrella of biliary tract cancer, diagnosed at any stage, whether treated or untreated, we might have a clinical trial option for you.
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If you have bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma) or gallbladder cancer, you are in the right place. Massive Bio’s advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) system will match and suggest a range of potential biliary track cancer clinical trials for your unique medical situation. Our patient relations coordinators will evaluate your submission and reach out to you.“People with biliary tract cancers don’t have many treatment choices. Every step forward in research and development is crucial. Clinical trials are vital for bringing new solutions to patients”, shared by a Patient Support GroupBy signing up for our matching program, you’ll be screened for available clinical trials in order to provide you with a personalized list of eligible options specifically tailored to your needs. Here’s how it works:
Biliary Tract Cancer, also called cholangiocarcinoma, is a type of cancer. It begins in the cells lining the bile ducts. The bile ducts transport bile from the liver and gallbladder to the small intestine. These ducts carry bile from the liver and gallbladder to the small intestine.This type of cancer can occur anywhere along the biliary tree, including within the liver (intrahepatic), in the bile ducts outside the liver (extrahepatic), and at the junction where the bile ducts meet (perihilar). If you are being diagnosed with BTC you’re already on the path to potentially innovative options.Types of Biliary Tract Cancer based on Location:Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: Occurs within the bile ducts located inside the liver. This type of cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage because early symptoms are typically absent or non-specific.Extrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: Occurs in the bile ducts outside the liver. It has two subtypes:Perihilar (Hilar) Cholangiocarcinoma: Also known as Klatskin tumors, these occur at the junction where the right and left hepatic bile ducts meet, just outside the liver.Distal Cholangiocarcinoma: These occur further down the bile duct, closer to the small intestine.Understanding the type of biliary tract cancer based on its location is crucial for determining the most appropriate approach and for evaluating eligibility for clinical trials.
Gallbladder cancer originates in the gallbladder, a small organ located beneath the liver that stores bile, a digestive fluid produced by the liver. It often develops in the innermost layers of the gallbladder and can spread through the outer layers as it progresses. Gallbladder cancer is often included under the umbrella term “Biliary Tract Cancer”.
Stage I: Early stage where the tumor is confined to the bile duct or liver.Stage II: Localized stage where the tumor begins to invade nearby tissues or blood vessels.Stage III: Locally advanced stage where the tumor invades nearby organs or the visceral peritoneum, and possibly nearby lymph nodes.Stage IV (Metastatic Cholangiocarcinoma): the tumor has spread to distant organs or extensively to nearby lymph nodes and organs.This general staging of BTC provides a broad overview, but the actual staging varies based on the cancer’s location within the biliary tract. By participating in clinical trials, patients can access cutting-edge options and contribute to medical research, regardless of their cancer stage.
Stage 0: Cancer is confined to the innermost layer of the gallbladder wall.Stage I: The tumor has grown into the lamina propria or the muscle layer of the gallbladder wall.Stage II: Cancer has grown into the fibrous tissue on the peritoneum side (Stage IIA) or the liver side without invading the liver (Stage IIB).Stage III: Cancer has grown through the serosa or into a nearby structure (Stage IIIA) and/or has spread to up to 3 nearby lymph nodes (Stage IIIB).Stage IV: Tumor has invaded major blood vessels in the liver or multiple structures outside the liver (Stage IVA), has spread to 4 or more lymph nodes, or to distant sites like the liver, peritoneum, or lungs (Stage IVB).Although gallbladder cancer is typically considered under the umbrella of biliary tract cancer (BTC), its staging is distinct. There are clinical trials available for patients at any stage, providing access to innovative solutions and additional options beyond standard options.
Here are the common biliary tract and gallbladder cancer symptoms to watch for:Jaundice: Yellowing of the skin and eyes.Abdominal Pain: Especially in the upper right side.Nausea and Vomiting: Often related to digestive disturbances.Loss of Appetite: Leading to unintentional weight loss.Fever: Frequently due to infections or inflammation.Itchy Skin: Caused by bile salts accumulating in the skin.Dark Urine and Pale StoolsSymptoms of Gallbladder Cancer and BTC are useful for early detection which is crucial for effective treatment.
Treated Biliary Tract Cancer: Refers to cancer that has undergone medical intervention, which may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, or a combination of these. Treatment aims to remove, shrink, or control the growth of the cancer and alleviate symptoms.Untreated Biliary Tract Cancer: Refers to cancer that has not received any form of medical treatment. This could be due to various reasons, such as the patient’s choice, late diagnosis, or ineligibility for certain treatments. Untreated cancer generally progresses and can lead to more severe symptoms and complications.No matter the case, there are clinical trials designed for both treated and untreated Biliary Tract Cancer patients, offering access to potentially groundbreaking options.
The clinical trial options for breast cancer depend on the type of breast cancer, its stage, and other factors like the patient’s overall health and personal preferences. Options can be local, targeting the tumor without affecting the rest of the body, or systemic, which means they target cancer cells throughout the body. Here are the main options for breast cancer:SurgeryThere are several types of surgery for breast cancer:Lumpectomy: Removal of the tumor and a small margin of surrounding tissue, preserving most of the breast.Mastectomy: Removal of one or both breasts, partially (segmental mastectomy) or completely (total mastectomy).Radiation TherapyThis treatment uses high-energy waves to target and kill cancer cells. It’s often used after surgery to eliminate any remaining cancer cells in the breast, chest wall, or axilla (underarm area). This is usually used in locally advanced breast cancer.ChemotherapyChemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells, usually administered intravenously or orally. It can be given before surgery (neoadjuvant chemotherapy) to shrink a tumor or after surgery (adjuvant chemotherapy) to kill any remaining cancer cells. This is usually used in metastatic breast cancer.Hormone Therapy (Endocrine Therapy)For cancers that are hormone receptor-positive, hormone therapy can help slow or stop the growth of cancer cells.Targeted Therapy for Breast CancerThis approach uses drugs or other substances to precisely identify and attack cancer cells, usually while doing little damage to normal cells. Targeted therapy is often used for cancers that have specific genetic markers, such as HER2-positive breast cancer.ImmunotherapyImmunotherapy helps the immune system fight cancer by boosting the body’s natural defenses to detect and destroy cancer cells. It’s more commonly used for triple-negative breast cancer that is locally advanced or metastatic.Bone-directed TherapyFor patients whose breast cancer has spread to the bone, this treatment helps protect the bones against the effects of cancer.
Resectable Biliary Tract Cancer (Surgery-Eligible): This means the cancer can be surgically removed. Typically, resectable cancer is localized and has not spread extensively, making it possible for surgeons to remove the tumor entirely along with some surrounding healthy tissue.Unresectable Biliary Tract Cancer (Not Surgery-Eligible): This means the cancer cannot be surgically removed. This could be due to the cancer’s location, size, or extent of spread to nearby vital structures or distant organs, making surgical removal unsafe or impractical. In such cases, other treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, or targeted therapies may be used to manage the disease.
Some of the Cholangiocarcinoma treatment and Gallbladder carcinoma treatment are:Surgery: Surgical removal of the tumor and some surrounding tissue.Radiation Therapy: Uses high-energy beams to target and destroy cancer cells. External beam radiation comes from outside the body, while brachytherapy puts radioactive material inside or near the tumor. Both methods aim to reduce or eliminate cancer cells, manage symptoms, and prevent recurrence.Chemotherapy: Uses cytotoxic drugs to disrupt the cell cycle, preventing cancer cells from growing and dividing. Chemotherapy can shrink tumors, slow their growth, and alleviate symptoms, making it a versatile option in cancer treatment.Targeted Therapy: Drugs specifically target molecular changes in cancer cells to inhibit growth and survival.FGFR2 Inhibitors: Block FGFR2 receptors in cancers with FGFR2 fusions, inhibiting cell growth.IDH1 Inhibitors: Target mutated IDH1 enzymes, reducing cancer cell proliferation.HER2 Inhibitors: Block HER2 proteins overexpressed in some cancers, slowing tumor growth.Immunotherapy: Enhances the immune system’s ability to recognize and attack cancer cells.Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: Such as PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, block proteins that prevent immune cells from attacking tumors, thereby boosting the immune response.Palliative Care: Focuses on managing symptoms and improving quality of life for patients with advanced cancer.
Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) allows for the detailed analysis of a wide range of biomarkers in Biliary Tract Cancer, which can guide personalized options. Some of the key biomarkers that can be identified include:NTRK Mutation: A rare genetic alteration where a portion of the NTRK gene fuses with another gene, leading to uncontrolled cell growth and cancer development.BRAF V600E Mutation: causes continuous activation of a signaling pathway, promoting cancer cell proliferation.FGFR2 Mutation: result in abnormal cell growth and survival, often seen in cholangiocarcinoma.IDH1 Mutation: A change in the IDH1 gene causes the production of a harmful substance that helps tumors grow and survive.HER2 (ERBB2) Mutation: HER2 gene leads to increased cell growth and division, associated with more aggressive cancers.RET Mutation: Fusion of the RET gene with other genes, leading to aberrant activation of pathways that drive cancer development.KRAS G12C Mutation: A change in the KRAS gene that makes cancer cells grow and survive by activating certain pathways.The link between Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) and clinical trials for BTC is very important and complex. It helps push forward personalized medicine and the creation of options aimed at specific cancer characteristics.
Helps identifying key markers (antigens) in tissue samples. This method tailors options to the tumor’s biomarkers. It helps doctors select the most effective option for each stage and assists in developing new options in research studies. These key biomarkers include:MSI-H (Microsatellite Instability-High): Indicates a high frequency of mutations within microsatellite regions of DNA. This is often a sign that the cells’ ability to repair DNA is not working properly.dMMR (Deficient Mismatch Repair) occurs when cancer cells lose proteins that fix DNA errors, causing more mutations to develop.TMB-H (Tumor Mutational Burden-High) means a lot of mutations in DNA, linked to better responses to immunotherapy.PD-L1 (Programmed Death-Ligand 1): A protein expressed on the surface of cancer cells that binds to the PD-1 receptor on immune cells, inhibiting their function. High PD-L1 expression can predict response to immune checkpoint inhibitors, a type of immunotherapy.
Innovative Options: Clinical trial options include the latest advancements in medical science and technology to target your specific cancer with precision and effectiveness.Personalized Match: We understand that every patient is unique, and that’s why we focus on matching you with a plan that aligns with your specific requirements and medical history, whether you’re dealing with Biliary Tract Cancer.Personalized Guidance: Throughout your journey, our experienced clinical team will be by your side, providing support and answering any questions you have about biliary tract cancer clinical trials.By signing up for our matching program, you’re taking an active role in exploring new possibilities and gaining access to an innovative option that can potentially transform your li
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