Research into gallbladder cancer

Go to Cancer Research UK's clinical trials database if you are looking for a trial for gallbladder cancer in the UK.

Go to our trials database

Talk to your specialist if there are any trials that you think you might be able to take part in. 

Some of the trials on this page have now stopped recruiting people. It takes time before the results are available. This is because the trial team follow the patients for a period of time and collect and analyse the results. We include this ongoing research to give examples of gallbladder cancer research.

What are clinical trials?

Clinical trials are medical research studies involving people. All cancer treatments must be fully researched before they can be used for everyone. This is so we can be sure that:

• they work

• they are safe

• they work better than the treatments already available

The short video below explains what it is like to take part in a trial.

Research into the diagnosis of gallbladder cancer

Gallbladder cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage. Researchers want to find better ways of diagnosing this type of cancer, and at an earlier stage. They are looking at:

• new tests that look for proteins that may act as cancer markers (​tumour markers)​

• a different type of scan to see whether it can pick up tumours in the liver more clearly

• a blood test that can pick up small amounts of cancer ​DNA. This is the SYMPLIFY study

Find out more about the SYMPLIFY study

Research into the treatment of gallbladder cancer

Researchers are always looking into ways to improve treatment, reduce side effects, and control symptoms.

Chemotherapy 

Research is continuing into chemotherapy drugs and combinations of chemotherapy drugs to treat gallbladder cancer. Researchers are looking into:

• using chemotherapy to stop, or slow down the cancer coming back after surgery

• controlling the symptoms of advanced gallbladder cancer

• comparing chemotherapy drugs

Targeted cancer drugs and immunotherapy

Targeted cancer drugs are newer drugs and work in a different way to chemotherapy.

Targeted cancer drugs change the way that cells work. They can boost the body’s immune system to fight off or kill cancer cells. Or they can block signals that tell cells to grow.

Researchers are looking into different types of targeted drugs for gallbladder cancer. Targeted cancer drugs that they are looking at include:

• pembrolizumab

• lenvatinib

• durvalumab

• entrectinib 

• selumetinib 

• zanidatamab 

• futibatinib

• nivolumab

• bevacizumab

Researchers are looking at the role of the gut ​microbiome​ in cancer treatment for people with advanced gallbladder cancer.

A study called ABC-12 is using the immunotherapy drug durvalumab in combination with chemotherapy drugs cisplatin and gemcitabine. The researchers will analyse the bacteria that live in our bowel and mouth to find out if they affect how well treatment works. 

Read general information about targeted drugs

Reducing side effects of treatment

A small trial looked at whether acupuncture can reduce nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy) caused by chemotherapy. The trial team found that adding acupuncture to usual treatment helped. It improved the symptoms of nerve damage caused by chemotherapy. 

Read more about the trial