Emerging therapies in primary sclerosing cholangitis: pathophysiological basis and clinical opportunities.

ABSTRACT: Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a progressive liver disease, histologically characterized by inflammation and fibrosis of the bile ducts, and clinically leading to multi-focal biliary strictures and with time cirrhosis and liver failure. Patients bear a significant risk of cholangiocarcinoma and colorectal cancer, and frequently have concomitant inflammatory bowel disease and autoimmune disease manifestations. To date, no medical therapy has proven significant impact on clinical outcomes and most patients ultimately need liver transplantation. Several treatment strategies have failed in the past and whilst prescription of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) prevails, controversy regarding benefits remains. Lack of statistical power, slow and variable disease progression, lack of surrogate

SUBMITTER: Vesterhus M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7242240 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature