Aim: The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) was investigated as a target for cancer treatment.
Patients and methods: A total of 287 patients with biliary tract cancer (BTC) receiving chemotherapy were retrospectively studied to evaluate the role of inhibition of RAS by angiotensin system inhibitors (ASIs). Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared between 74 patients with hypertension, on ASIs (ASI group), 50 patients with hypertension not on ASIs (non-ASI with HT group) and 163 patients without hypertension (non-HT group). Interactions between the use of ASIs and various subgroups were explored.
Results: The median PFS was 3.6, 3.9 and 4.6 months (p=0.495) and the median OS was 11.6, 10.9 and 13.1 months (p=0.668), respectively. The use of ASIs was not associated with OS (hazard ratio 1.00, p=0.975) and no subgroups with better survival were identified.
Conclusion: No survival benefit from ASIs was observed in BTC.
Keywords: Angiotensin system inhibitor; biliary tract cancer; chemotherapy; renin-angiotensin system.
Copyright© 2016 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.