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Biliary Tract Cancers

Bile Duct, Gallbladder, and Ampulla of Vater

To better understand the etiology of rare cancers that form in the biliary tract (bile duct, gallbladder, ampulla of Vater), DCEG researchers are conducting studies to examine the molecular and epidemiologic characteristics of cancer at different sites in the biliary tract and identify potential molecular subtypes. Tumor and other biologic samples are compiled from various efforts in China and Chile, where incidence of these cancers is higher than in the United States. 

Timeframes for the Biliary Tract Cancer Studies
Activity Shanghai BTC Study BiTCaPP Chile BiLS
Recruitment/initiation 1997-2001 2013 2016-2019
Follow-up Not applicable Ongoing Ongoing

As more samples and accompanying exposure information are collected, investigators are able to study increasingly rare subtypes with cutting-edge techniques to determine the epidemiologic and molecular contributors to the development of biliary tract cancers. A better understanding of the molecular differences across these malignancies can lead to more precise diagnosis and effective treatment, as well as provide clues as to etiology. Studies include:

  • Chile Biliary Longitudinal Study (Chile BiLS)

    The Chile Biliary Longitudinal Study aims to investigate the risk factors for gallbladder dysplasia and cancer, by studying a cohort of women with gallstones in Chile. Its secondary aim is to explore whether and how associations with risk factors, e.g., BMI, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome, are mediated through inflammation.

  • Biliary Tract Cancer Pooling Project (BiTCaPP)

    The Biliary Tract Cancer Pooling Project (BiTCaPP) was created to help evaluate the contribution of risk factors throughout the biliary tract, providing important insight into the etiologic heterogeneity that exists at various locations within the biliary tract.

  • Shanghai Biliary Tract Cancer Case-Control Study

    The Shanghai Biliary Tract Case-Control Study has the primary goal of investigating biliary tract cancers, including investigation of biologic markers and epidemiologic risk factors for gallbladder, extrahepatic bile duct, and ampulla of Vater cancers.

For more information, contact: 

Jill Koshiol, Ph.D.
Infections and Immunoepidemiology Branch - Research Areas

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