Evolving Role of Immunotherapy in Advanced Biliary Tract Cancers

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Kang et. al., described the need of novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of BTC owing to their poor prognosis and the increasing number of incidences globally. The authors described the current treatments available for the patients especially at the late stages and the shortcoming of those approaches. With the advancement of our knowledge of genetic mutations and underlying pathways involved, new developments are being made in the field of immunotherapy including immune checkpoint inhibitors, cancer vaccines, and adoptive cell therapy in addition to molecular targeted agents. While the similar line of studies reported already, the current review, provides rational for the immunotherapy which is beneficial to the researchers working in the cancer field.

I had no specific suggestions for the authors with exception of the following:

1. Authors are suggested to include the administrative dosage of the drugs.
2. Authors are suggested to discuss about Derazantinib, Debio 1347, Erdafitinib as oral potent inhibitor of FGFR
3. Authors are suggested to describe Regorafenib as an oral MKI targeting VEGFR.
4. Authors are suggested to include ALK/ROS1 inhibitors.
5. Authors are suggested to discuss about PIK3CA mutation as therapeutic target.

Author Response

Reviewer 1 Comments for the Author

1. Authors are suggested to include the administrative dosage of the drugs.

- In this revision, we have included the administrative dosages of the drugs in each of the major clinical trials discussed as recommended.

2. Authors are suggested to discuss about Derazantinib, Debio 1347, Erdafitinib as oral potent inhibitor of FGFR.

- A brief discussion regarding derazantinib, debio 1347, and erdafitinib is now incorporated in Section 2.2.2.

3. Authors are suggested to describe Regorafenib as an oral MKI targeting VEGFR.

- Regorafenib is now mentioned under Section 4.2.3 as an anti-angiogenic TKI.

4. Authors are suggested to include ALK/ROS1 inhibitors.

- ALK/ROS1 inhibitors are now mentioned in Section 2.2.2.

5. Authors are suggested to discuss about PIK3CA mutation as therapeutic target.

- A short paragraph discussion drugs targeting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway has been incorporated in Section 2.2.2.

Reviewer 2 Report

Post publication of this manuscript found it to be acceptable