New immune therapy combined with chemotherapy before surgery for bile duct cancer

Plain-English translation of NCT06721286 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated December 2024 · Translation generated June 2026 · How we translate trials

Phase 2 — Testing in a bigger group (up to a few hundred people) to see if the treatment actually works and is still safe.

What is this trial?

This trial is testing a medication called toripalimab combined with two chemotherapy drugs (gemcitabine and cisplatin) given before surgery for a type of liver cancer called intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. The goal is to see if adding this immune-boosting medication to standard chemotherapy can help shrink the cancer and reduce the chance it will come back after surgery.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is an aggressive cancer with a high risk of recurrence even after surgery. Researchers believe that combining this new immune-boosting medication with chemotherapy before surgery might improve survival and reduce the chance of cancer returning.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are at least 18 years old
you have been diagnosed with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma that can be surgically removed
your cancer meets certain high-risk features, such as a large tumor, tumors involving blood vessels, or enlarged lymph nodes
you have not received any chemotherapy or immunotherapy before enrolling
you are in good overall health with a normal ability to perform daily activities (ECOG score 0-1)
your blood counts, heart, lung, liver, and kidney function are normal

You likely don't qualify if…

you have previously received immune checkpoint inhibitor medications or other immune therapies
you have an active autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or inflammatory bowel disease
you have an HIV infection or other immune deficiency
you have serious heart problems such as heart failure, unstable angina, or a recent heart attack
you have had a recent severe infection or unexplained fever within 4 weeks before starting the study

What participation looks like

If you qualify, you will be randomly assigned to receive either the new immune medication combined with chemotherapy or standard chemotherapy alone before your surgery. You will receive treatment in cycles over several weeks, with blood tests and imaging scans to monitor how you are responding. After completing the treatment, you will have surgery to remove the cancer, followed by follow-up visits to check for side effects and monitor your recovery.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 19, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(1 site)

China

Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, Tianjin Municipality