title: The use of immunosuppression in autoimmune hepatitis: A current literature review.
abstract: Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is an organ specific autoimmune condition which can manifest at any age of life. The heterogeneous nature of this condition means that great variation can be seen in severity, progression of disease and response to treatment within this patient group. Since the 1980s prednisolone and azathioprine have been used for induction and remission of the disease and remain the mainstay of treatment. Other immunosuppressive agents have been employed in difficult to treat cases. While there is less published data regarding these agents compared with the conventional treatments of steroid and azathioprine, there is mounting evidence to support the use of mycophenolate mofetil as a second-line agent. The calcineurin inhibitors, though less studied, additionally show promise. More data is needed on the use of biological agents in refractory disease. This review focuses on our centre's approach to treatment of AIH in the context of a contemporary review of the literature.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Nepean Hospital, New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cropley
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Nepean Hospital, New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Weltman
mesh_terms: D001379:Azathioprine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019693:Hepatitis, Autoimmune / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D011239:Prednisolone; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid; D001379:Azathioprine
keywords: Autoimmune hepatitis; Azathioprine; Immunosuppression; Mycophenolate mofetil; Prednisone