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Abstract Details
Obeticholic acid for the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
Shah RA1, Kowdley KV1. Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2020 Apr 3. doi: 10.1080/17474124.2020.1748498. [Epub ahead of print]
Author information
1 Liver Institute Northwest.
Abstract
Introduction: NAFLD has grown to become the most prevalent liver disease in the world, with a quarter of the general population estimated to have the disease. NASH, characterized as NAFLD with inflammation, is associated with worsening fibrosis along with increased incidence of HCC. Despite high prevalence of this disease, no pharmacologic treatments approved by regulatory agencies are available.Areas covered: This review briefly discusses present understanding of NASH pathology and currently available treatments. We also discuss data on the role of OCA as an FXR agonist in modulating disease in NASH. A comprehensive literature search of review articles, original research articles, and prospective clinical trials from 1998 to present was performed to evaluate the role of OCA in NASH.Expert opinion: Based on 18-month interim findings of the REGENERATE trial, OCA likely improves fibrosis in NASH and therefore may have a beneficial effect in delaying or even preventing cirrhosis. The side effect of an atherogenic lipoprotein profile may adversely affect long-term outcomes, though studies have shown that co-administration of statins are able to mitigate this effect. OCA is likely to become an option for treatment but the specific context within which it may be prescribed stills need to be clarified.