PPAR agonists for the treatment of primary biliary cholangitis: Old and new tales

Introduction

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is an autoimmune liver disease involving the small intrahepatic bile ducts; when untreated or undertreated, it may evolve to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Ursodeoxycholic Acid (UDCA) is the standard of care treatment, Obeticholic Acid (OCA) has been approved as second-line therapy for those non responder or intolerant to UDCA. However, due to moderate rate of UDCA-non responders and to warnings recently issued against OCA use in patients with cirrhosis, further therapies are needed.

Areas covered. Deep investigations into the pathogenesis of PBC is leading to proposal of new therapeutic agents, among which peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) ligands seem to be highly promising given the preliminary, positive results in Phase 2 and 3 trials. Bezafibrate, the most evaluated, is currently used in clinical practice in combination with UDCA in referral centers. We herein describe completed and ongoing trials involving PPAR agonists use in PBC, analyzing pits and falls.

Expert opinion

Testing new therapeutic opportunities in PBC is challenging due to its low prevalence and slow progression. However, new drugs including PPAR agonists, are currently under investigation and should be considered for at-risk PBC patients.