New therapeutic targets and drugs for cholestatic liver disease / 临床肝胆病杂志

ABSTRACT

Cholestatic liver disease is caused by the damage of bile duct cells and hepatocytes due to bile duct injury, accumulation of bile acids, and persistent inflammation. If it is not treated in time, cholestasis can lead to liver fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, and even end-stage liver disease. Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) are the two most common cholestatic liver diseases in adults, with unknown causes. Although ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) can improve the prognosis of PBC patients and prolong survival time after liver transplantation, some patients have no response to UDCA. In addition, there are still no effective pharmacotherapies for PSC. With the research advances in molecular mechanism of bile acid regulation and a deeper understanding of immune pathways in recent years, several new drugs have emerged. This article introduces the new therapeutic targets and drugs for PBC and PSC.