Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a heterogeneous group of malignancies with features of biliary tract differentiation. It is the second most common primary liver tumor type and accounts for around 3% of all gastrointestinal cancers. CCA is a very deadly disease due to its aggressiveness, late diagnosis and treatment refractory nature. The incidence and mortality rates are increasing worldwide and the therapeutic options are limited. Radiotherapy, chemotherapy (palliative), surgical resection (available for 10-30% of cases) and/or liver transplantation are options only for only a few patients who meet certain criteria. After curative surgery more than 50% of patients recur within 12 months. Therefore, there is increasing interest in understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of this cancer type and in identifying new targets for therapy. Moreover, good specific diagnostic and prognostic markers for CCA are still needed.

As a group of active researchers with a broad interest in this clinical area, we have significantly contributed to the study into the pathophysiology of the biliary tree and development/onset of CCA, pursuing basic, translational and clinical research in an effort to identify treatment options with successful outcome for this type of cancer. For years, our laboratories have generated, together with our colleagues, many of the key advances in this field. In this regard, we created the “European Network for the Study of Cholangiocarcinoma (ENS-CCA)”, constituting by research groups located in 13 European countries with interest in CCA from Basic, Translational and Clinical research.

Chiara.Braconi@glasgow.ac.uk