Highlights and emerging advances in hepatobiliary cancer research at the ESMO congress 2025

Abstract:

The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2025, held in Berlin from October 17 to 21, presented a series of pivotal advances in hepatobiliary malignancies, covering immunotherapy, targeted therapy, perioperative strategies, conversion therapy, and biomarker development. In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), immune-based combination therapies remain the standard first-line treatment, while dual immunotherapy and triplet regimens are under active investigation; however, some intensified combinations failed to demonstrate additional survival benefits. Conversion therapy and perioperative strategies have shown promising potential in improving patient outcomes. In biliary tract cancers (BTC), breakthroughs have been achieved in neoadjuvant and conversion therapies, and precision-targeted treatments are emerging, particularly in refractory settings and rare molecular subtypes. Meanwhile, biomarkers are increasingly important for risk stratification and treatment response prediction. This review summarizes the key studies presented at the congress, highlights their clinical implications and limitations, and discusses future research directions to inform clinical decision-making.