Research into Gallbladder and Bile Duct Cancer

Research on Biliary Cancer at The Johns Hopkins Hospital can be divided into Clinical and Experimental research. The goal of our clinical research is to optimize treatment for patients with biliary cancers today using treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Also, we are looking for serum markers that can be used to detect biliary cancers in patients at risk at an early, curable stage. The goal of our experimental research is to learn more about the genetic mechanisms that cause biliary cancers. By understanding what is abnormal about the makeup of the cancer cells, we will be able to find more effective, less toxic ways of treating patients in the future. Also, we can use our knowledge of the genetic abnormalities in biliary cancer to design newer, more sensitive screening tests.