The management of primary sclerosing cholangitis

Clin Liver Dis. 1998 May;2(2):353-72, x. doi: 10.1016/s1089-3261(05)70012-x.

Abstract

Primary sclerosing cholangitis is a chronic cholestatic liver disease characterized by a progressive, obliterating fibrosis of the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts. The pathogenesis of PSC is unknown, but it is thought to be an immune-mediated disease. Although the role of cupruretics, immunosuppressants (corticosteroids, azathioprine, tacrolimus, methotrexate), antifibrogenic agents, and ursodeoxycholic acid in the treatment of primary sclerosing cholangitis is reviewed, none of these agents has been shown to retard or reverse the rate of disease progression. Of these therapies, ursodeoxycholic acid at high doses looks the most promising, but large trials are needed to establish whether treatment with high-dose ursodeoxycholic acid influences the morbidity and mortality associated with primary sclerosing cholangitis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Cholangitis, Sclerosing / complications
  • Cholangitis, Sclerosing / drug therapy*
  • Cholestasis / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Methotrexate / therapeutic use
  • Penicillamine / therapeutic use
  • Ursodeoxycholic Acid / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Ursodeoxycholic Acid
  • Penicillamine
  • Methotrexate