Obeticholic acid in primary biliary cholangitis.
In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study including 217 patients with primary biliary cholangitis, the authors show that obeticholic acid (a potent farnesoid X agonist) administered with ursodeoxycholic acid or as monotherapy significantly decreases serum alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin when compared to placebo. Pruritus (and serious adverse effects) was observed more frequently in obeticholic acid-treated patients than in controls, in spite of a decrease in serum bile acid concentration. These results are encouraging, but more studies are needed on clinical efficacy and safety before obeticholic acid can be widely recommended.
University of Paris 7, 75013 Paris, France. Electronic address: serge.erlinger@gmail.com.
Serge
S
Erlinger
D002635:Chenodeoxycholic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D002761:Cholangitis; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D008105:Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary / Q000097:blood*; D014580:Ursodeoxycholic Acid
C464660:obeticholic acid; D002635:Chenodeoxycholic Acid; D014580:Ursodeoxycholic Acid