Summary
Seven consecutive patients with unresectable cholangiocarcinoma of the major bile ducts, referred to one surgical department with a hepatobiliary interest, were treated by biliary decompression and with the antibiotic rifampicin in an uncontrolled preliminary study. Three patients were also given tamoxifen. Five of the seven are dead, the mean survival being 26 months (expected mean survival 8 months), and two are alive and well in May 1991, 48 and 30 months respectively from the time of presentation. A controlled study of rifampicin with and without tamoxifen is indicated in unresectable cholangiocarcinoma.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bean R, Sali A (1990) Treatment of colorectal hepatic metastases with Tamoxifen. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 116:191
Blumgart LH, Benjamin IS, Hadjis NS, Beazeley R (1984) Surgical approaches to cholangiocarcinoma at the confluence of the hepatic ducts. Lancet 1:66–70
Cameron JL, Pitt HA, Zinner MJ, Kaufman SL, Coleman J (1990) Management of proximal cholangiocarcinomas by surgical resection and radiotherapy. Am J Surg 159:91–97
Ewing H, Sali A, Kune GA (1989) Klatskin tumours: a 20 year experience. Aust NZ J Surg 59:25–30
Hamzehei M, Ledinko N (1980) Inhibition of influenza A virus replication by Rifampicin and Selenocystamine. J Med Virol 6:169–175
Hughes AM, Calvin M (1979) Cytocidal effect of Rifampicin derivatives on ascites tumor cells: studies with iododeoxyuridine. Cancer Lett 6:15–19
Hunt RF, Sali A, Kune GA (1985) Oestrogen receptors in focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver. Med J Aust 143:519–520
Kucers A, Bennett N McK (1987) The use of antiobiotics, 4th edn. Heinemann, London, pp 914–970
Kune GA, Hunt RF (1984) Oestrogen receptors in cystadenocarcinoma of the pancreas. Aust NZ J Surg 54:321–324
Treat JA, Ahlgren JD, Wooley V (1985) Cancer of the large bowel and hepatobiliary tract. Cancer Chemother 7:332–341
West CML, Reeves SJ, Brough W (1990) Additive interaction between tamoxifen and rifampicin in human biliary tract carcinoma cells. Cancer Lett 55:159–163
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sali, A., McQuillan, T., Read, A. et al. Rifampicin as cytotoxic agent for cholangiocarcinoma: preliminary report of seven cases. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 117, 503–504 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01613278
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01613278