World cholangiocarcinoma day: our teams are committed against this poorly known aggressive cancer

The 20 February is the World cholangiocarcinoma day. This international initiative aims to raise awareness among the public about this malignant tumour of the bile ducts, whose effects are devastating. An opportunity for our teams to reaffirm their determination with respect to this little-known cancer.

Cholangiocarcinoma, a cancer diagnosed too late

Every year, the number of diagnosed cases of cholangiocarcinoma continues to increase throughout the world, and in particular in Asia and Western countries¹. It develops in the bile ducts inside or outside the liver, the prognosis of this cancer is among the most unfavourable. Depending on its sub-type, its stage at the time of diagnosis and its location, cholangiocarcinoma presents relative survival rates at 5 years ranging between 7% and 20%¹.

There are no specific clinical signs that indicate the presence of cholangiocarcinoma. The first symptoms, which generally appear late, can resemble those of more common pathologies, which makes the diagnosis more complex. In many cases, the patients receive an incorrect diagnosis before getting the right diagnosis. Therefore, the tumour is often detected at an advanced stage, sometimes even after the development of metastases¹. This late diagnosis limits the therapeutic options and often makes cholangiocarcinoma hard to treat.

Therefore, detecting the tumour early is essential to optimise the prognosis.

Raising awareness of cholangiocarcinoma to fight more effectively

Raising awareness about this little-known cancer among as many as possible is more crucial than ever to promote early diagnosis, accelerate scientific progress, break the isolation of patients and improve their quality of life in the face of the disease.

This is the objective of the World cholangiocarcinoma day, organized by the Global Cholangiocarcinoma Alliance. Bringing together patient organisations, leading physicians and researchers, this international community asks everyone to mobilise themselves and join forces to offer hope to persons affected by the disease.

A fight we share at Servier: we have made the fight against this rare digestive cancer one of our priorities, supporting our research efforts and associating ourselves with patient organisations to better support them.

Supporting patients to improve their care

Committed to therapeutic progress to serve patient needs, we are convinced that associating the patients to all the steps in the life cycle of our medicinal products allows them to benefit from the best treatments and adequate care throughout their process.

To respond effectively to their needs and those of their loved ones, we believe that their understanding of the diseases and treatments is essential for the progress of research and innovation, improving therapeutic solutions as well as their care, beyond medication.

This is why we are committed to working closely with patients and the patient organisations that represent them.

New resources to improve the quality of life of patients

Our collaboration with the patient organisation Digestive Cancers Europe (DiCE) reflects our commitment to patients. Persons with cholangiocarcinoma are often faced with a long and difficult process, we have therefore decided to draft together an educational guide dedicated to this pathology: “Adapting to cholangiocarcinoma”. A first for this type of cancer.

This support is part of the SHAPE (“Support Harmonized Advances for better Patient Experiences” programme), an international programme also initiated with the DICE community in 2018. Co-designed with patients-experts and patient representatives of the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation Australia, as well as carers and health professionals, it constitutes a precious support for patients and their loved ones, throughout their process against the disease.

Specifically, our guide provides useful information and practical advice to improve their treatment and quality of life with respect to cholangiocarcinoma, at each key step:

• Beyond their treatment: to guide them through the different aspects of their daily life (social relationships, sexuality, work, finances, etc.) and support them in planning their future (information on palliative care).
• Notre collaboration avec l’association de patients Digestive Cancers Europe (DiCE) se veut le reflet de notre engagement envers les patients. Les personnes atteintes d’un cholangiocarcinome étant souvent confrontées à un parcours long et difficile, nous avons décidé d’élaborer ensemble un guide pédagogique dédié à cette pathologie : « S’adapter au cholangiocarcinome ». Une première pour ce type de cancer.
• At the time of the diagnosis: to help them understand their diagnosis, to better understand their disease and what to expect, to find reliable information on cholangiocarcinoma on the web and identify the health professionals who will support them;
• In their discussions with their loved ones and their medical team: to facilitate dialogue with their loved ones and improve their discussions with their medical team;
• Before, during and after their treatment: to help them understand the different therapeutic options available, the treatment and care recommended to them and to invite them to become active players;
• Living well on a daily basis: to encourage them to take care of their psychological (emotion management) and physical (healthy diet and physical activity) well-being;

Latest addition to the SHAPE programme, a video dedicated to Cholangiocarcinoma, created wit and for patients. In this video, Claire Holmes, Caregiver and Patient Advocate, Steven Holmes, Cholangiocarcinoma Survivor and Patient Advocate, and Dr Angela Lamarca, Medical Oncologist specialized in Gastrointestinal Malignancies emphasise the benefits of such a support and the importance of an early diagnosis for an improved care.

 #PatientsVoice: Discover Sidney’s testimony

Sydney was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma and his currently undergoing treatment. Watch her inspiring story and get her perspectives on the fight against cancer.

Innovation to satisfy non-covered medical needs

Guided by the medical needs of patients that are not met, at Servier we are committed to the fight against rare cancers, and we are determined to provide innovative therapeutic solutions.

We are concentrating our oncology R&D efforts on two promising and complementary therapeutic approaches: immuno-oncology, that aims at strengthening the immune system to better protect against cancer, and targeted therapies, which act specifically on the biological mechanisms responsible for the growth of cancer cells. Our objective is to offer patients a personalized and potentially more effective therapy to fight cholangiocarcinoma.

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[1] Global Cholangiocarcinoma Alliance – Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) Facts: https://www.globalccaalliance.com/cca-facts – consulted on 13/01/25