Emerging role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor agonists in the treatment of cholestatic liver disease.

Purpose of review: Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) are rare, chronic cholestatic diseases associated with significant morbidity. While previously approved therapies for PBC, including ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and obeticholic acid (OCA) have substantially altered the natural course of the disease and improved patient survival, they have several limitations including an incomplete therapeutic response, patient intolerance and a lack of symptom relief.

Recent findings: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) agonists have emerged as promising therapeutic agents capable of achieving biochemical remission and alleviating debilitating symptoms such as pruritus. Elafibranor and Seladelpar were recently granted accelerated approval by the FDA as second-line treatment option for PBC. Although no treatment has yet received approval for PSC, several PPAR agonists have been evaluated in clinical trials.

Summary: This review highlights the evolving role of PPAR agonists as second-line agents for PBC and investigational treatments for PSC.