Novel Therapies on Primary Biliary Cirrhosis

Abstract

All patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and abnormal liver biochemistry should be considered for specific therapy. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is the only FDA-approved drug for treating PBC. Approximately 40% of patients with PBC respond incompletely to treatment with UDCA, thus having increased risk of death or need for liver transplantation. No second-line therapies for patients with inadequate response to UDCA therapy have been approved. This review provides a current perspective on potential new approaches to treatment in PBC, and highlights some of the challenges we face in evaluating and effectively implementing those treatments.

Keywords: Biochemical response; Biomarkers; Immunomodulation; Novel therapies; Primary biliary cirrhosis; Treatment; Ursodeoxycholic acid.