Abstract

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is a highly fatal cancer that can be cured through cholecystectomy if identified early. The presence of gallstones is the primary risk factor for gallbladder cancer, but few individuals with gallstones develop GBC. A key question is what drives the development of GBC among individuals with gallstones. We initiated the Chile Biliary Longitudinal Study (Chile BiLS) to address this question and identify risk stratification strategies. From 2016-2019, we enrolled 4,726 women aged 50-74 with ultrasound-detected gallstones from Southern-central Chile, which we estimate accounts for 36% of eligible women with gallstones in the study area. The median age was 59 years, 25% were Amerindian (Mapuche), and 60% were obese. Participants will be followed for gallbladder dysplasia or cancer for six years. As of May 1, 2020, over 91% of those eligible completed the year-2 follow-up visit. Data include epidemiological and sociodemographic information, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, and teeth count. Biosamples include baseline plasma, buffy coat, red blood cells, serum, blood clot, and PaxGene whole blood. Complete gallbladder sampling is conducted for most participants undergoing cholecystectomy. The Chile BiLS cohort will inform understanding of GBC etiology and could identify potential risk stratification and early detection strategies in high-risk areas.