Exploring Zanidatamab: A New Hope for HER2-Positive Biliary Tract Cancer Patients

Stacie Lindsey and Melinda Bachini are co-authors on new study in Future Oncology

Biliary tract cancer is a challenging disease, particularly when it reaches an advanced or metastatic stage. For some patients, their cancer cells produce extra copies of the HER2 gene (also known as ERBB2), a condition known as HER2 amplification. This can make the cancer more aggressive and difficult to treat. Researchers are investigating whether a new drug called zanidatamab could provide a breakthrough for these patients.

What is Zanidatamab? Zanidatamab is an experimental antibody designed to target and destroy cancer cells with abnormally high levels of the HER2 protein or gene. While it is still in the research phase and not yet approved for treating any diseases, its potential is being closely studied in clinical trials.

The Study: Who Participated and What Was Measured? In a recent phase 2b clinical study, 87 participants with advanced or metastatic HER2-amplified biliary tract cancer were enrolled. The participants had previously undergone chemotherapy, but their cancer had either progressed or the side effects were too severe for them to continue. The study focused on measuring the effectiveness of zanidatamab in shrinking tumors and monitoring side effects.

Key Findings:

In the group of participants with HER2-positive tumors (80 participants), 41% (33 of 80) experienced a significant reduction in tumor size, with shrinkage of 30% or more.
Among these, half saw no further tumor growth for 13 months or longer.
However, in the group with HER2-low tumors (7 participants), no significant tumor shrinkage was observed.
Side effects were reported in 72% (63 of 87) of the participants, with most being mild or moderate. Diarrhea and side effects related to the intravenous administration of zanidatamab, such as chills and fever, were among the most common.

What Do These Results Mean? The study’s findings are promising, indicating that zanidatamab could become a valuable treatment option for patients with HER2-positive biliary tract cancer who have already received chemotherapy. While the results are encouraging, further research is needed to confirm these outcomes and explore zanidatamab’s full potential.

The fight against biliary tract cancer is ongoing, and every new discovery brings hope for more effective treatments. The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation is committed to supporting research that advances our understanding of this disease and brings us closer to a cure. Stay tuned for more updates on the latest developments in biliary tract cancer research.