Hepatobiliary cancers, which include biliary tract cancer (BTC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), are among the most lethal malignancies. BTC stands as a particularly fatal disease with a poor five-year survival rate, and is classified as the fifth most common gastrointestinal cancer, differentiated into extrahepatic (EHC), intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas (IHC), and gallbladder cancer (GBC) based on location. Available treatments involve radiation, palliative care, and chemotherapy with cisplatin and gemcitabine. Meanwhile, HCC is the most prevalent liver cancer, claiming over 830,000 lives globally in 2020, making it the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Current treatments for HCC include targeted therapy with sorafenib, immunotherapy, and post-surgical chemotherapy.

Building on the great success of the Research Topic “Novel Therapeutic Approaches for Biliary Tract Cancer and Hepatocellular Carcinoma” the launch of this second volume aims to further bridge the gap in knowledge regarding the resistance mechanisms to existing therapies, pinpoint new therapeutic targets, and develop innovative treatment strategies to improve the prognosis for patients with BTC and HCC. Investigating the basis of therapy resistance and the efficacy of novel treatments could offer substantial advancements in the management and outcomes of these severe conditions.

To gather further insights into the challenges faced in treating these diseases, we welcome contributions addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

o Treatment resistance in BTC and HCC

o Novel therapeutic approaches and strategies for BTC and HCC

o Clinical and therapeutic target identification for BTC and HCC treatment

o Molecular insights into therapeutic approaches for BTC and HCC

o Precision medicine strategies in BTC and HCC

o Non-invasive biomarkers for monitoring treatment response in BTC and HCC

o Role of microbiome on therapy resistance in BTC and HCC

Topic Editor Matthias Ocker is employed and shareholder of Tacalyx GmbH, Founder of Translational Insights Consulting, and shareholder of Bayer, BioNTech, Gilead, Pentixapharm, Siemens Healthineers. All other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regards to the Research Topic subject.

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Novel Therapeutic Approaches for Biliary Tract Cancer and Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Volume II

Topic Coordinator