Dr. Bahary on the Role of Pemigatinib in Biliary Tract Cancers

Nathan Bahary, MD, PhD, associate professor, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, medical oncologist and hematologist, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center​ Hillman Cancer Center, discusses the role of pemigatinib (Pemazyre) in biliary tract cancers.

Although biliary tract cancers are difficult to treat, significant progress has been made in developing treatment options, particularly with regard to targeted therapy, Bahary says.

Notably, FGFR2 translocations are observed in about 25% to 33% of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, says Bahary. Pemigatinib is a selective and potent FGFR1/2/3 inhibitor that is administered orally. The open-label, phase 2 FIGHT-202 study evaluated the role of pemigatinib in patients with cholangiocarcinoma with or without FGFR2 fusions. Findings from cohort A of the study showed that 3 patients with FGFR2 fusions achieved complete responses and 35 achieved a partial response. Additionally, 50 patients had stable disease, and 16 of 107 patients experienced disease progression, Bahary explains.

 Based on these findings, on April 17, 2020, the FDA approved pemigatinib for the treatment of patients with previously treated, unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic cholangiocarcinoma with FGFR2 fusions orrearrangements, as detected by an FDA-approved test, Bahary concludes.