Cholangiocarcinoma
MONDO:0019087A carcinoma that arises from the intrahepatic biliary tree (intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma) or from the junction, or adjacent to the junction, of the right and left hepatic ducts (hilar cholangiocarcinoma). Grossly, the malignant lesions are solid, nodular, and grayish. Morphologically, the vast majority of cases are adenocarcinomas. Signs and symptoms include malaise, weight loss, right upper quadrant abdominal pain, and night sweats. Early detection is difficult and the prognosis is generally poor.
Also known as: bile duct cancer, intrahepatic bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma), CC, CCA, Cholangiocar.- intra/extrahepatic, Cholangiocellular carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts (adenocarcinoma)
3269 clinical trials for this condition and its sub-types, 311 tagged with Cholangiocarcinoma itself.
Follow this condition to get notified about new trialsWhere it sits in the disease tree
Browse by category →Sub-types of Cholangiocarcinoma
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Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma 154 trials · 176 incl. sub-types
6 sub-types
- Hilar cholangiocarcinoma 36 trials
- Perihilar intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma 25 trials
- Cholangiolocellular carcinoma 1 trial
- Mucinous intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma 0 trials
- Sarcomatous intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma 0 trials
- Signet ring cell intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma 0 trials
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New pill aims to keep chemo on track for GI cancer patients
Disease control CompletedThis study tests whether avatrombopag, a pill that boosts platelet production, can help people with gastrointestinal cancer who develop low platelets from chemotherapy. About 60 participants will receive either avatrombopag or a placebo. The goal is to see if the drug can raise p…
Phase 2 • Sponsor: Hanny Al-Samkari, MD • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Sep 02, 2026 00:00 UTC
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Could conscious sedation replace general anesthesia for gallbladder drainage?
Disease control CompletedThis study tests whether endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage can be safely performed using conscious sedation given by the endoscopist, instead of deep sedation or general anesthesia. The trial enrolls elderly, high-risk patients with acute cholecystitis who are not…
Sponsor: Azienda Unita Sanitaria Locale di Piacenza • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jul 17, 2026 00:00 UTC
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Double-Barreled chemo attack on bile duct cancer shows promise
Disease control CompletedThis study tests a two-pronged chemotherapy approach for people with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (a type of bile duct cancer) that cannot be removed by surgery. Participants receive chemotherapy directly to the liver through a surgically placed pump, plus standard chemotherap…
Phase 2 • Sponsor: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jul 03, 2026 00:00 UTC
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New drug cocktail aims to make inoperable abdominal cancers operable
Disease control CompletedThis phase 2 trial tested a combination of two drugs—paclitaxel (given intravenously and directly into the abdomen) and oral nilotinib—in 21 adults with cancers that had spread to the lining of the abdomen and could not be surgically removed. The goal was to see if the treatment …
Phase 2 • Sponsor: National Cancer Institute (NCI) • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 14:03 UTC
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New drug cocktail shows promise for tough bile duct cancer
Disease control CompletedThis trial tested a three-drug combination—chemotherapy infused into the liver, an immunotherapy drug (tislelizumab), and a targeted pill (regorafenib)—as a first treatment for 31 people with advanced bile duct cancer that couldn't be removed by surgery. The goal was to see how m…
Phase 2 • Sponsor: The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 13:00 UTC
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Experimental combo targets Hard-to-Treat GI cancers
Disease control CompletedThis early-phase trial tested two drugs together—pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and XL888—in 47 people with advanced gastrointestinal cancers like colorectal and pancreatic cancer that had spread or could not be removed. The main goal was to find the safest dose and check for side effe…
Phase 1 • Sponsor: Emory University • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 12:36 UTC
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Immunotherapy drug shows promise in bile duct cancer trial
Disease control CompletedThis Phase 3 trial tested whether adding the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab to standard chemotherapy (gemcitabine and cisplatin) helps people with advanced bile duct cancer live longer. The study enrolled 158 Chinese adults with cancer that had spread or could not be removed by…
Phase 3 • Sponsor: Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 12:08 UTC
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New hope for bile duct cancer: triple therapy shows promise after chemo fails
Disease control CompletedThis Phase 2 trial tested a combination of three treatments—local chemotherapy delivered via beads into the liver, a targeted drug called apatinib, and an immunotherapy (PD-1 antibody)—in 20 patients with advanced bile duct cancer that had worsened after standard first-line chemo…
Phase 2 • Sponsor: Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Research Institute • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 12:04 UTC
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New hope for Hard-to-Treat cancers? utidelone trial underway
Disease control CompletedThis phase 2 trial tests the drug utidelone in 126 people with advanced solid tumors (excluding breast, lung, and colorectal cancers) that have not responded to standard treatments. The study aims to see if the drug can shrink tumors and how safe it is. Participants receive utide…
Phase 2 • Sponsor: Beijing Biostar Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 12:03 UTC
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Immunotherapy combo shows promise for tough bile duct cancer
Disease control CompletedThis study tested whether adding the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab to standard chemotherapy (gemcitabine/cisplatin) helps people with advanced bile duct or gallbladder cancer live longer. Over 1,000 participants received either the combination or chemo plus a placebo. The goal…
Phase 3 • Sponsor: Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 12:00 UTC
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New hope for advanced gut cancers? early trial tests targeted antibody
Disease control CompletedThis early-stage study tested a new drug called cabotamig in 33 adults with advanced cancers of the digestive system (like colon, pancreas, or liver) that had stopped responding to standard treatments. The goal was to see if the drug is safe and how it affects the body and tumors…
Phase 1 • Sponsor: Arbele Pty Ltd • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 11:03 UTC
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Experimental combo for bile duct cancer shows promise in tiny trial
Disease control CompletedThis phase 2 study tested a combination of two drugs, durvalumab and SNDX-6352, in 5 people with advanced bile duct cancer that had not spread beyond the liver. Participants first received standard chemo or radiation therapy directly into the liver, then the drug combination. The…
Phase 2 • Sponsor: Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 11:01 UTC
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Targeted drug shows promise for rare bile duct cancer
Disease control CompletedThis study tested an experimental drug called E7090 in 63 people with advanced bile duct cancer that has a specific genetic change (FGFR2 fusion). Participants had already tried chemotherapy without success. The goal was to see if the drug could shrink tumors. Results help determ…
Phase 2 • Sponsor: Eisai Co., Ltd. • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 09:09 UTC
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New targeted pill shows promise for Hard-to-Treat bile duct cancers
Disease control CompletedThis study tested a new oral drug called RLY-4008 in 490 adults with advanced bile duct cancer or other solid tumors that have specific FGFR2 gene changes. The drug is designed to block the FGFR2 protein, which can drive cancer growth. The trial aimed to find the safest dose and …
Phase 1/2 • Sponsor: Elevar Therapeutics • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 09:08 UTC
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New drug targets rare gene mutations in advanced cancers
Disease control CompletedThis phase II trial tested the drug infigratinib in 17 adults with advanced or metastatic solid tumors that have specific FGFR gene mutations. The drug works by blocking overactive FGFR proteins that help cancer grow. The study measured how many patients' tumors shrank or stabili…
Phase 2 • Sponsor: Sameek Roychowdhury • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 09:08 UTC
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New pill targets genetic flaw in tough cancers
Disease control CompletedThis early-phase trial tested an oral drug called AG-120 in 174 people with advanced solid tumors (including bile duct cancer, cartilage cancer, and brain tumors) that have a specific IDH1 mutation. The study first found a safe dose, then expanded to see how well the drug works. …
Phase 1 • Sponsor: Institut de Recherches Internationales Servier • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 09:06 UTC
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New device combo for liver chemotherapy shows promise in small trial
Disease control CompletedThis study tested whether a Medtronic pump and Codman catheter can safely deliver chemotherapy directly to the liver in 35 people with colorectal cancer or bile duct cancer that spread to the liver. The main goal was to check safety, including liver side effects and need for sten…
Phase 2 • Sponsor: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 09:02 UTC
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Triple chemo attack shows promise against tough bile duct cancers
Disease control CompletedThis phase III trial tested whether adding nab-paclitaxel to the standard two-drug chemo (gemcitabine and cisplatin) helps people with newly diagnosed, advanced biliary tract cancers live longer. Over 450 patients took part. The goal is to see if the three-drug combo improves ove…
Phase 3 • Sponsor: SWOG Cancer Research Network • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 08:10 UTC
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New cocktail of drugs shows early promise against tough bile duct cancer
Disease control CompletedThis phase 2 trial tested a combination of three drugs—chemotherapy delivered directly to the liver, a targeted pill, and an immunotherapy—in 25 people with advanced bile duct cancer that could not be removed surgically. The goal was to see if the combination could shrink tumors …
Phase 2 • Sponsor: Zhongda Hospital • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 08:08 UTC
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Liver-targeted chemo may boost survival in bile duct cancer
Disease control CompletedThis study tested whether adding a liver-directed chemotherapy infusion (HAIC) to a standard drug combo (Gemox, lenvatinib, toripalimab) helps people with advanced bile duct cancer live longer without the disease getting worse. 96 patients took part. The goal was to see if the ex…
Phase 2 • Sponsor: Sun Yat-sen University • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 08:07 UTC
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New cancer drug shows promise in early trial
Disease control CompletedThis phase 1 study tested an experimental drug called LY3039478 in 247 people with advanced or metastatic cancer, including lymphoma. The main goal was to find a safe dose and see how the drug affects the body. Researchers also looked for signs that the drug might shrink tumors.
Phase 1 • Sponsor: Eli Lilly and Company • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 08:06 UTC
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Robot surgeons take on pancreatic cancer in major trial
Disease control CompletedThis study compared robotic-assisted pancreatic surgery to the standard open approach for people with pancreatic and related tumors. Researchers wanted to see if robotic surgery could help patients recover faster after the operation. A total of 268 patients took part across multi…
Sponsor: Ruijin Hospital • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 08:05 UTC
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New drug combo shows promise for Tough-to-Treat bile duct cancer
Disease control CompletedThis phase 2 trial tested a new chemotherapy combination (Nal-IRI with 5-FU and leucovorin) against a standard treatment (gemcitabine plus cisplatin) in 93 people with advanced biliary tract cancer that could not be removed by surgery. The study aimed to see which approach better…
Phase 2 • Sponsor: AIO-Studien-gGmbH • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 07:52 UTC
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New drug combo shows promise for Hard-to-Treat GI cancers
Disease control CompletedThis study tested a new drug called zanidatamab (ZW25) combined with standard chemotherapy in 74 people with advanced HER2-positive cancers of the stomach, bile duct, or colon. The goal was to see if the combination is safe and shrinks tumors. Results will help decide if larger s…
Phase 2 • Sponsor: Jazz Pharmaceuticals • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jun 26, 2026 16:12 UTC
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Old gout drug tested as new hope for advanced liver cancer
Disease control CompletedThis phase 2 trial tested colchicine, a drug usually used for gout, in 42 people with advanced liver cancer that could not be treated with curative intent. Participants took colchicine tablets daily in cycles of 4 days on, 3 days off. The study measured how long patients survived…
Phase 2 • Sponsor: Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jun 26, 2026 14:59 UTC
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Experimental Vaccine-Like therapy targets Hard-to-Treat cancers
Disease control CompletedThis early-phase trial tested an experimental immunotherapy called ELI-002 in 25 people with KRAS-mutated pancreatic, colorectal, lung, ovarian, or bile duct cancers who had signs of remaining disease after standard treatment. The therapy aims to train the immune system to attack…
Phase 1 • Sponsor: Elicio Therapeutics • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jun 26, 2026 13:30 UTC
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Which biopsy method best spots bile duct cancer?
Diagnosis CompletedThis study looked at different ways to take tissue samples from the bile duct during a procedure called ERCP. The goal was to see which method is most accurate for finding cancer. 327 adults with unclear bile duct narrowing took part. Researchers compared several biopsy technique…
Sponsor: Mayo Clinic • Aim: Diagnosis
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 12:36 UTC
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New blood test could spot hidden liver cancer early
Diagnosis CompletedThis completed study tested a new blood test that looks for tiny particles called exosomal microRNAs to detect intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, a rare and aggressive liver cancer. Researchers analyzed blood samples from 535 adults to see how accurately the test could identify can…
Sponsor: City of Hope Medical Center • Aim: Diagnosis
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 11:01 UTC
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New blood test could spare bile duct cancer patients unnecessary surgery
Diagnosis CompletedThis study tested a new blood test called LyMIC that looks for tiny particles (exosomes) released by cancer cells. The goal was to see if it could accurately tell whether bile duct cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes before surgery. Researchers analyzed blood samples from 230…
Sponsor: City of Hope Medical Center • Aim: Diagnosis
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 11:00 UTC
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Which biopsy is best for hilar cancer? new study aims to find out
Diagnosis CompletedThis study compares two ways to get tissue samples from a suspected hilar bile duct cancer: one using an endoscope with ultrasound guidance (EUS-FNA/B) and another using a scope to look directly into the bile ducts (ERCP with or without a special camera). Researchers will check w…
Sponsor: Qilu Hospital of Shandong University • Aim: Diagnosis
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 08:14 UTC
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New PET tracer could sharpen cancer detection
Diagnosis CompletedThis study tested a new radioactive tracer called [18F]FAPI-74 for PET scans in people with gastrointestinal cancers, including liver, bile duct, stomach, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers. The goal was to see if the tracer can accurately detect cancer cells by comparing scan re…
Phase 2 • Sponsor: SOFIE • Aim: Diagnosis
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 08:13 UTC
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AI joins radiologists in massive liver tumor diagnosis trial
Diagnosis CompletedThis large completed trial tested whether an AI system can help radiologists better diagnose liver tumors from CT scans. Over 10,000 adults with various liver conditions participated. The AI analyzed scans overnight, and a senior radiologist reviewed any differences between the A…
Sponsor: Shengjing Hospital • Aim: Diagnosis
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 07:58 UTC
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Bubble burst breakthrough: ultrasound may boost bile duct cancer therapy
Diagnosis CompletedThis study looked at whether a special ultrasound using gas microbubbles can predict how well bile duct cancer responds to targeted radiotherapy. The ultrasound can also pop these bubbles, which might make the cancer easier to treat. Sixteen adults with bile duct cancer took part…
Phase 2 • Sponsor: Thomas Jefferson University • Aim: Diagnosis
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 07:55 UTC
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Mindfulness may ease stress for liver patients
Symptom relief CompletedThis study looked at whether mindfulness exercises can lower stress and improve communication between patients with liver disease and their doctors. 56 adults took part, answering surveys about their stress, anxiety, and how well they felt they could share decisions with their he…
Sponsor: Methodist Health System • Aim: Symptom relief
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 12:00 UTC
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Can a palliative care team boost quality of life for cancer surgery patients?
Symptom relief CompletedThis study looked at whether having a palliative care team work alongside surgeons improves quality of life for patients with gastrointestinal cancers like pancreatic or liver cancer. About 379 patients and their family members took part. The main goal was to see if this team app…
Sponsor: Stanford University • Aim: Symptom relief
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 08:09 UTC
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Liver cancer research aims to unlock secrets of immunotherapy response
Knowledge-focused CompletedThis study gathers blood, urine, stool, and tissue samples from 132 adults with primary liver cancer who are receiving or have received immunotherapy. Researchers will analyze these samples along with medical records to learn more about how liver cancer develops and responds to t…
Sponsor: National Cancer Institute (NCI) • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Aug 28, 2026 00:00 UTC
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Study aims to cut hospital time after liver surgery by looking beyond medicine
Knowledge-focused CompletedThis completed study looked at 3000 patients having liver surgery to see if considering both medical and social factors could reduce how long they stay in the hospital. Researchers tracked things like complications and readmissions. The goal is to find ways to improve recovery an…
Sponsor: Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Amiens • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 14:02 UTC
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New biomarker may predict which cancer drugs work best
Knowledge-focused CompletedThis completed study tested whether a new biomarker called 'mass response' can predict how well a cancer therapy will work. Researchers collected tumor cells from 72 patients with various cancers through fluid drainage or biopsies. The goal was to see if this biomarker could guid…
Sponsor: Travera Inc • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 12:06 UTC
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New 3D method may improve tumor measurement accuracy
Knowledge-focused CompletedThis study looked at 120 adults with breast, pancreatic, or biliary cancer to see if a new 3D measurement method (TDTP-RECIST) is better than the standard way (RECIST 1.1) for tracking tumor shrinkage before surgery. Researchers compared imaging results with actual tumor tissue r…
Sponsor: Shanghai Zhongshan Hospital • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 12:04 UTC
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AI reads MRI scans to predict liver cancer survival
Knowledge-focused CompletedThis completed study looked at 169 patients with a type of liver cancer called intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Researchers used MRI scans and machine learning to measure scar tissue and a protein linked to tumor growth. The goal was to see if these features could predict how lon…
Sponsor: First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 11:03 UTC
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New blood test spots silent spread of bile duct cancer before surgery
Knowledge-focused CompletedThis study tested whether a blood test that looks at tiny particles called exosomes can find cancer that has spread but is not visible on scans in people with a type of bile duct cancer (intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma). The goal was to help doctors know who needs stronger treatm…
Sponsor: City of Hope Medical Center • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 11:00 UTC
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Cancer patients may not need lifelong immunotherapy, study suggests
Knowledge-focused CompletedThis study looked at people with advanced solid tumors (like lung, bladder, or melanoma) who had been on immunotherapy for one year and whose disease was stable. Half stopped treatment and half continued. The goal was to see if stopping early affected how long until the cancer pr…
Phase 3 • Sponsor: Dan Zandberg • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 08:03 UTC
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New biopsy needle tested in 183 patients
Knowledge-focused CompletedThis study tested the EchoTip AcuCore, a needle used during endoscopic ultrasound to collect tissue samples from the pancreas, liver, and other organs. 183 adults with conditions like cancer or chronic pancreatitis took part. The main goal was to see if the needle could get a goo…
Sponsor: Cook Research Incorporated • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 07:51 UTC