Comparison of second-line chemotherapy regimens in advanced biliary tract cancer: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND

Biliary tract cancers (BTCs) are aggressive malignancies with limited treatment options, especially after first-line chemotherapy failure. FOLFIRINOX, though established for pancreatic cancer, has shown promise in advanced BTC, yet its role as a second-line treatment remains unclear. To address this gap, we conducted a retrospective cohort study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of FOLFIRINOX and performed a systematic review with meta-analysis to compare its outcomes with currently recommended regimens, including FOLFIRI, FOLFOX, and nal-IRI/FL.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 54 patients with BTC treated with FOLFIRINOX as second-line therapy after progression on first-line chemotherapy at a single tertiary hospital between 2011 and 2022. A systematic review and meta-analysis, registered with PROSPERO, incorporated 21 studies comparing second-line regimens for BTC, assessing progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), and safety.

RESULTS

In our cohort, median PFS and OS were 2 · 7 and 8 · 9 months, respectively. ORR was 12 · 5%, and DCR was 52 · 1%, with 4 · 2% achieving complete response. Meta-analysis revealed pooled PFS and OS for FOLFIRINOX at 4 · 15 and 8 · 91 months, respectively, suggesting a potential benefit over FOLFIRI and FOLFOX. Grade 3-5 neutropenia occurred in 40 · 7% of patients, leading to dose reductions in 29.6% but low discontinuation rates (3 · 7%).

CONCLUSION

FOLFIRINOX demonstrates numerically favorable outcomes compared to current second-line regimens for advanced BTC, with manageable toxicities. These findings suggest FOLFIRINOX as a potential second-line option, warranting further prospective validation and patient selection refinement.