胆管癌恶性程度高,多数患者初诊时已丧失手术机会。近年来,转化治疗通过系统治疗缩小肿瘤,使部分患者重获根治性手术可能,已成为晚期胆管癌的重要突围路径。然而,如何在“有效”与“过度”间寻找平衡,仍是临床面临的巨大挑战。在APPLE 2026大会上,我国香港中文大学医学院陈林(Stephen L. Chan)教授对此进行了深度剖析,并接受了本刊的独家专访。陈林教授主张将FGFR2/IDH1等基因检测前移,并提出构建“影像+ctDNA/MRD”多维评估体系,以精准捕捉手术窗口;建议在转化手术后依据病理缓解程度(MPR/pCR)分层决策,从而最大化患者无复发生存期。
编者按:胆管癌恶性程度高,多数患者初诊时已丧失手术机会。近年来,转化治疗通过系统治疗缩小肿瘤,使部分患者重获根治性手术可能,已成为晚期胆管癌的重要突围路径。然而,如何在“有效”与“过度”间寻找平衡,仍是临床面临的巨大挑战。在APPLE 2026大会上,我国香港中文大学医学院陈林(Stephen L. Chan)教授对此进行了深度剖析,并接受了本刊的独家专访。陈林教授主张将FGFR2/IDH1等基因检测前移,并提出构建“影像+ctDNA/MRD”多维评估体系,以精准捕捉手术窗口;建议在转化手术后依据病理缓解程度(MPR/pCR)分层决策,从而最大化患者无复发生存期。
01
《肿瘤瞭望》:陈教授,在选择转化治疗方案时,除了常规的化疗联合免疫,您如何依据关键的驱动基因变异来决定靶向药物的介入时机?如何在保证客观缓解率(ORR)的同时,兼顾后续手术的安全窗口?
陈林 教授:关于胆管癌转化治疗方案的选择,传统上我们主要依据影像学缓解率——缓解率越高,我们通常认为该方案的转化潜力越好。然而,近期研究数据显示,针对 FGFR2等基因变异的靶向治疗,能够使一部分患者的肿瘤显著退缩,从而创造手术机会。因此我认为,在未来的临床决策中,我们不应仅局限于缓解率,还需综合考量包括基因变异在内的多项指标。
至于基因检测的时机,传统做法通常是在患者处于不可切除的晚期阶段时才进行。但随着循证医学证据的积累,我们主张将检测关口前移——其核心目的在于筛选潜在可转化人群以指导用药,而非仅仅为了姑息治疗。
Regarding the choice of conversion therapy for cholangiocarcinoma, traditionally, we look at the radiological response rate—and the higher the radiological response rate, the more likely we believe the regimen will serve as a better conversion therapy for patients. But recently, we have also seen data suggesting that targeting genetic alterations such as FGFR2 may shrink tumors in a proportion of patients, thereby enabling conversion. Therefore, I think that in the future, we should look at a number of factors—not only the response rate, but also genetic alterations.
Regarding the timing of testing for these genetic alterations, conventionally, we test once patients become inoperable, when the disease is more advanced. But as I mentioned, more data suggest that we should test earlier, with the purpose of guiding treatment and pursuing conversion, rather than reserving testing for palliative purposes.
02
《肿瘤瞭望》:传统RECIST标准在评估免疫治疗和靶向治疗的疗效时存在局限。在临床实操中,您会结合哪些肿瘤标志物的动态变化,建立一个更灵敏的疗效预警体系?
陈林 教授:关于预测或识别即将实现转化的人群,诚然,如前所述,影像学缓解率依然至关重要,因为它直接决定了手术切除的解剖学可行性。但我想强调的是,我们还需要综合考量其他参数,例如血清肿瘤标志物。传统意义上,CA19-9 或 CEA 的持续下降趋势,往往预示着系统治疗的获益。此外,我认为针对 ctDNA、MRD 等循环肿瘤标志物的研究进展,也将有助于我们更好地预测哪些患者即将产生应答。
I have to say, regarding endpoints for predicting which patients are about to convert—while radiological response is still crucial, as it determines the anatomical resectability—we also look at other parameters, like tumor markers. Traditionally, if we see CA19-9 or CEA trending downward, that correlates with benefits from systemic therapy. And looking forward, I think the work being done on circulating markers like ctDNA and MRD will be key to predicting, or at least correlating with, those patients who are about to achieve a response.
03
《肿瘤瞭望》:转化治疗获得缓解后,手术时机的把握至关重要。您通常依据哪些核心指标来确定最佳手术窗口?
陈林 教授:基于现有的临床试验数据,患者产生应答或出现显著肿瘤退缩的时间通常在两到三个月左右。但我们也要认识到,部分患者可能需要更长时间才能观察到疗效,因此很难界定一个绝对统一的时间节点。关键在于我们要借助影像学、肿瘤标志物及临床状态对患者进行动态监测,这主要出于两点考量:一是避免错失手术窗口期;二是若患者出现疾病进展,能够及时更换治疗方案。当然,术后我们还会评估肿瘤的病理缓解程度,这也将为后续的辅助治疗决策提供重要依据。
Typically, based on the clinical trial data we have, we see responses or significant tumor shrinkage within about two to three months. But of course, we know some patients might take longer to show an effect. So, it’s hard to give one exact cutoff. What’s crucial is monitoring the response using imaging, tumor markers, and the patient’s overall condition. We do this for two main reasons: one, to make sure we don’t miss the chance for surgery—the surgical window; and two, to switch treatments immediately if the disease starts progressing. And after surgery, we always look at the pathological response. That result can actually determine what kind of treatment the patient needs next.
04
《肿瘤瞭望》:术后辅助治疗是沿用转化方案还是重新制定策略,其决策依据是什么?
陈林 教授:这确实是一个极具挑战性的问题。众所周知,这类患者复发风险较高,因此即便转化成功,术后仍需接受辅助治疗。基于传统经验,若手术标本显示主要病理缓解(MPR)甚至病理完全缓解(pCR),我们通常会沿用原转化治疗方案。具体时长虽无定论,但通常可持续六个月,部分情况下甚至延长至一年。反之,若术后病理提示未达到病理缓解,我认为通常应及时转换治疗策略。更换为其他替代方案,以尽可能延长患者的无复发生存期,这是十分合理的。
That’s a very challenging question. We know these patients are prone to relapse, so even after a successful conversion, they need some form of postoperative or adjuvant treatment. Traditionally, if we see a major pathological response (MPR) or even a pathological complete response (pCR) in the surgical specimen, we tend to stick with the same regimen that achieved the conversion. How long? Well, we don’t have a definitive answer yet, but I think six months is typical—sometimes even longer, up to a year. However, if the patient fails to achieve a pathological response in the surgical sample, I believe it’s usually best to switch to an alternative therapy. Changing the regimen is perfectly acceptable to keep the patient in a recurrence-free state.
陈林 教授
医学博士(MD)
香港中文大学临床肿瘤学系临床教授
香港中文大学医学院院士
英国皇家内科医学院院士
香港内科医学院院士
英国爱丁堡皇家内科医学院荣授院士
主要研究方向为肝胆胰及神经内分泌肿瘤的临床与转化研究
已在同行评审期刊上发表论文200余篇
担任国际肝癌协会(ILCA)执行委员会候任主席
受邀担任《肝脏病学杂志》《肝癌》《医学肿瘤治疗进展》等多家期刊的副主编