Management of primary biliary cirrhosis and autoimmune cholangitis.
Several drugs have been evaluated in the treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis over a number of years. These drugs have immunosuppressive, antiinflammatory, cupruretic, antifibrotic and bile acid properties. Ursodeoxycholic acid has been shown to improve survival free of transplantation in a conclusive fashion. This drug is the single agent that can be recommended for the treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis. Corticosteroid therapy and ursodeoxycholic acid have been evaluated in a few patients with autoimmune cholangitis. This article reviews a large number of studies that have been published assessing different drugs in the treatment of these two entities, particularly in the treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis.
Angulo
P
P
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
Lindor
K D
KD
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D002761:Cholangitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D003078:Colchicine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018450:Disease Progression; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D008105:Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D010396:Penicillamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014580:Ursodeoxycholic Acid
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D014580:Ursodeoxycholic Acid; D010396:Penicillamine; D003078:Colchicine