A real-world review of 154 advanced biliary-tract cancer patients compared GemCarbo (59) with GemCis (95). After propensity matching, median survival was 8.44 versus 11.63 months, HR 1.26 (95% CI 0.84-1.90), without statistical significance. The wide interval supports consideration when cisplatin is unsuitable, not equivalence.
Key findings
- Before matching, OS was 8.44 versus 9.82 months (HR 1.18; 95% CI 0.82-1.70); after matching, 8.44 versus 11.63 months (HR 1.26; 0.84-1.90). PFS was 4.27 versus 5.75 months (HR 0.91; 0.62-1.33). ORR/DCR were comparable, while creatinine elevation was more frequent with GemCis.
Why this matters globally
Direct comparative evidence is scarce while many patients cannot receive cisplatin. Real-world data help frame trials and shared decisions for this subgroup.
Thai researcher contribution
Prince of Songkla University researchers used 14 years of Thai clinical practice to address a gap left by large trials.
Limitations to consider
Carboplatin selection likely reflects frailty, and matching handles only measured factors. The sample is small, 14 years span changing care, safety measures are selective, and the study was not a non-inferiority design.
Verify the original sources
LifeRead the original article↗DOI: 10.3390/life16071150