Combined High Dose Radiotherapy with Sequential Gemcitabine-Cisplatin Based Chemotherapy Increase the Resectability and Survival in Locally Advanced Unresectable Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: A Multi-Institutional Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: The locally advanced unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) has detrimental oncological outcomes. In this study, we aimed to investigate the efficacy of radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced unresectable ICC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2001 and 2021, 116 patients were identified through medical record who underwent radiotherapy for locally advanced unresectable ICC. The resectability of ICC is determined by the multidisciplinary team at each institution. Overall survival (OS) were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method, and prognostic factors were analyzed using the Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS: The median equivalent radiotherapy dose in 2 Gy fractions (EQD2) was 52 Gy (range, 30-110 Gy). Forty-seven patients (40.5%) received sequential gemcitabine-cisplatin based chemotherapy (GEM-CIS CTx). Multivariate analysis identified 2 risk factors, EQD2 of ≥60 Gy and application of sequential GEM-CIS CTx for OS. Patients were grouped by these two risk factors; group 1, EQD2 ≥60 Gy with sequential GEM-CIS CTx (n=25); group 2, EQD2 <60 Gy with sequential GEM-CIS CTx or fluoropyrimidine-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy (n=70); group 3, radiotherapy alone (n=21). Curative resection was more frequently undergone in group 1 than in groups 2 or 3 (28% vs. 8.6% vs. 0%, respectively). Consequently, OS was significantly better in group 1 than in groups 2 and 3 (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION: Combined high dose radiotherapy with sequential GEM-CIS CTx improved oncologic outcomes in patients with locally advanced unresectable ICC. Further prospective studies are required to validate these findings.