Adjuvant therapy in biliary tract tumours: how will immunotherapy fit in the future?

INTRODUCTION: Biliary tract tumors comprise a group of poor prognosis malignancies, most of them being diagnosed at an advanced stage. Standard treatment includes surgery with curative intent and adjuvant chemotherapy. Even so, the benefit obtained is marginal and relapses are frequent. AREAS COVERED: Here we made a review of the literature trying to summarize all trials related to adjuvant therapy, as well as those yet to come. We also focused ondetecting the unmet needs in this field which may represent a change in the current strategy. EXPERT OPINION: A clear definition of resectability, risk stratification, intensification of treatment with immunotherapy and targeted therapies, as well as moving treatment from an adjuvant to a perioperative scenario are, in our view, key factors that can make a possibility of cure more real for these patients.