Immunotherapy drug shows limited promise in tough bile duct cancer

NCT ID NCT02829918

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This phase 2 trial tested the immunotherapy drug nivolumab (Opdivo) in 54 patients with advanced biliary tract cancer that had stopped responding to chemotherapy. The goal was to see if the drug could shrink tumors. While nivolumab is approved for other cancers, it is not yet approved for this type. The study measured how many patients responded after four cycles of treatment.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

Nivolumab (Opdivo), a cancer immunotherapy drug

What this could lead to

If successful, this could point toward a new treatment option for patients with advanced biliary tract cancer who have run out of standard therapies.

What could go wrong

This is a small, early-phase trial (54 patients) with no control group. The drug may not work for most patients, and side effects from immunotherapy can be serious.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

biliary tract cancer biliary tract neoplasm Biliary Tract Neoplasms Digestive System Diseases

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • City of Hope Cancer Center

    Duarte, California, 91010, United States

  • Emory University Winship Cancer Institute

    Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, United States

  • H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute

    Tampa, Florida, 33612, United States