Survival and symptom progression in a geographically based cohort of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis: follow-up for up to 28 years

High concentration of antimitochondrial antibodies predicts progressive primary biliary cirrhosis

AIM: To evaluate the serum concentration of antimitochondrial antibodies (AMAs) as a prognostic indicator of progressive primary biliary cirrhosis (pPBC).

METHODS: Serum concentrations of AMA subtypes (anti-M2, anti-M4, and anti-M9), biochemical indices of liver function and Mayo risk factor (MRF) were determined in 30 women with diagnosed primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) selected among 348 females with elevated alkaline phosphatase but without signs of hepatic decompensation. They were followed up for 5 years for possible development of hepatic decompensation.

RESULTS: Anti-M2 concentration was significantly correlated with bilirubin and albumin levels as well as MRF, whereas anti-M4 was significantly correlated with albumin level, prothrombin time and MRF. During the 5-year follow-up, progressive PBC (pPBC) was diagnosed in 3 among 23 patients available for evaluation. These 3 patients were positive for both anti-M2 and anti-M4. Anti-M2 serum concentration exceeded 1 300 RU/mL in patients with pPBC and only in 1 among 20 non-progressive PBC persons (5%). Anti-M4 serum concentration exceeded 400 RU/mL in 2 of the progressive patients and none in the non-progressive group. In contrast, anti-M9 serum concentration was below 100 RU/mL in all patients with pPBC, and higher than 100 RU/mL in 11 women (55%) among the non-progressive group.

CONCLUSION: Females with elevated alkaline phosphatase and high anti-M2 and anti-M4 concentrations are at a high risk for developing pPBC. Quantitative AMA detection should be considered as a method for early diagnosis of pPBC.

Spontaneous scratching behavior in MRL/lpr mice, a possible model for pruritus in autoimmune diseases, and antipruritic activity of a novel κ-opioid receptor agonist nalfurafine hydrochloride

Pruritus is a common, distressing and difficult to manage complication of many autoimmune diseases. A suitable animal model of autoimmune disease associated pruritus would contribute to a better understanding of the pathophysiology of this symptom and lead to the development of safe and effective antipruritic agents. We noticed spontaneous scratching behavior in aged MRL/lpr mice, a model of autoimmune disease. This scratching behavior was observed in a specific pathogen-free environment and was more frequent in female mice. In contrast to animal models of dermatitis; NC/Nga mice, the serum IgE and IgG1 levels in MRL/lpr mice were not elevated. These features indicate that this scratching behavior is similar to human autoimmune disease associated pruritus. The antipruritic effects of an antihistamine (chlorpheniramine), an opioid receptor antagonist (naltrexone), and a novel kappa-opioid receptor agonist (nalfurafine hydrochloride [TRK-820]) were evaluated. The frequency of scratching was not reduced by oral administration of chlorpheniramine, suggesting that the behavior is antihistamine-resistant. The oral administration of nalfurafine and subcutaneously administered naltrexone inhibited the scratching behavior without causing gross behavioral changes. In conclusion, MRL/lpr mice scratching behavior is a suitable model of pruritus that occurs in autoimmune diseases, and nalfurafine was shown to be efficacious against this behavior suggesting that it may be beneficial in patients with autoimmune disease associated pruritus.

rAAV-mediated stable expression of heme oxygenase-1 in stellate cells: a new approach to attenuate liver fibrosis in rats

Liver fibrosis is the consequence of activation of hepatic stellate cells mediated by persistent or recurrent liver injury, where oxidative stress or inflammatory response resulting from immune cells and cytokines are involved. Targeting of hepatic stellate cells could be an important strategy for the therapy of liver fibrosis. In this study, we showed a tropism of recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV, serotype 2) with high efficiency in transduction of a homeostatic gene, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), to activated stellate cells. The binding of rAAVs to stellate cells increased significantly after serum-stimulated activation compared with quiescent status. Portal injection of rAAVs to normal or carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced liver fibrosis showed a distinct distribution of rAAV binding. The majority of injected rAAVs bound to the cells in fibrotic areas that were associated with higher expression levels of fibroblast growth factor receptor-1alpha at 2 hours after administration. Isolation of different types of cells from CCl(4)-induced fibrotic livers showed predominant expression of transgene in stellate cells after rAAV/HO-1 administration on day 3 and remained stable for 12 weeks. In addition, HO-1-transduced stellate cells showed reduced transcript levels of type 1 collagen and impaired proliferative ability compared with controls. With this approach, the severity of established micronodular cirrhosis was markedly reduced. In conclusion, these findings suggest a new approach for the treatment of liver fibrosis using adeno-associated virus-mediated gene transfer.

Methotrexate for primary biliary cirrhosis

BACKGROUND

Methotrexate, a folic acid antagonist with immunosuppressive properties, has been used to treat patients with primary biliary cirrhosis. The therapeutic responses to methotrexate in randomised clinical trials have been heterogeneous.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the beneficial and harmful effects of methotrexate for patients with primary biliary cirrhosis.

SEARCH STRATEGY

Relevant randomised clinical trials were identified by searching The Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group Controlled Trials Register (June 2004), The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials on The Cochrane Library (Issue 2, 2004), MEDLINE (January 1966 to August 2004), EMBASE (January 1980 to August 2004), and manual searches of bibliographies. We contacted authors of trials and pharmaceutical companies.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised clinical trials comparing methotrexate with placebo, no intervention, or another drug were included irrespective of blinding, language, year of publication, and publication status.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Our primary outcomes were mortality and mortality or liver transplantation. Dichotomous outcomes were reported as relative risk (RR) and hazard ratio (HR) if applicable. Continuous outcomes were reported as weighted mean difference (WMD). We examined intervention effects by using both a random-effects model and a fixed-effect model. Heterogeneity was investigated by subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses.

MAIN RESULTS

We identified four trials (370 patients) that compared methotrexate with placebo with or without ursodeoxycholic acid as co-intervention. One additional trial (87 patients) compared methotrexate with colchicine without and later with ursodeoxycholic acid as co-intervention. The methodological quality of the trials was low. We did not find significant effects of methotrexate on pruritus, fatigue, liver complications, liver biochemistry, liver histology, or adverse events. The pruritus score (WMD - 0.68, 95% CI - 1.11 to - 0.25), the levels of serum alkaline phosphatases (WMD - 0.41, 95% CI - 0.70 to - 0.12) and plasma immunoglobulin M (WMD - 0.47, 95% CI - 0.74 to - 0.20) were significantly lower in the patients receiving methotrexate.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Methotrexate increased mortality in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis. We do not recommend methotrexate for patients with primary biliary cirrhosis outside randomised trials.

The effect of ursodeoxycholic acid therapy on the natural course of primary biliary cirrhosis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

We used a multistate modeling approach to assess the effect of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) therapy on the natural course of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), which remains controversial.

METHODS

Our population included 262 patients with PBC who had received 13-15 mg/kg UDCA daily for a mean of 8 years (range, 1-22 years). Data were analyzed using a multistate Markov model, with histologic stage progression, death, and orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) as main end points. Survival without OLT was compared with that predicted by the updated Mayo model and with the expected survival in the control population.

RESULTS

Forty-five patients developed cirrhosis, 20 underwent OLT, and 16 died by the censor date. Ten deaths were due to liver disease. The overall survival rates were 92% at 10 years and 82% at 20 years. Survival rates without OLT were 84% and 66% at 10 and 20 years, respectively, which were slightly lower than the survival rate of an age- and sex-matched control population (relative risk [RR], 1.4; P = .1) but better than the spontaneous survival rate as predicted by the updated Mayo model (RR, .5; P < .01). The survival rate of patients in stage 1 and 2 was similar to that in the control population (RR, .8; P = .5), whereas the probability of death or OLT remained significantly increased in treated patients in late histologic stages (RR, 2.2; P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment with UDCA alone normalizes the survival rate of patients with PBC when given at early stages. However, there is a continued need for new therapeutic options in patients with advanced disease.

Fatigue complicating chronic liver disease

Fatigue is common and can be profound in patients with chronic liver diseases, such as primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and chronic hepatitis C. The pathogenesis of fatigue in such patients is unknown; it may be related to infection with the hepatitis C virus or the pathophysiology of cholestasis in PBC, to a psychological reaction to knowledge of the diagnosis, or to the presence of chronic liver disease. A major problem in evaluating a treatment for fatigue in a randomized controlled trial is the inherent subjectivity of fatigue and the lack of a satisfactory objective quantitative primary efficacy endpoint. Experimental studies in rats and male athletes have implicated the serotonin neurotransmitter system in fatigue of central origin. Administration of the 5-HT3 serotonin receptor subtype antagonist, ondansetron, has been associated with substantial sustained clinical ameliorations of profound fatigue in at least some patients with chronic liver disease.

Do antinuclear antibodies in primary biliary cirrhosis patients identify increased risk for liver failure?

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease with a variable clinical course. Identification of serologic markers associated with increased risk of liver failure would assist in management of PBC patients. The objective of this study was to identify antinuclear antibody (ANA) markers that may be used to predict PBC outcome.

METHODS

Indirect immunofluorescence was used to identify ANAs in 492 PBC patients. chi2 and Kaplan-Meier analyses were used to examine the association between ANAs and liver failure.

RESULTS

A greater percentage of ANA-positive, compared to ANA-negative, PBC patients developed liver failure (41% vs 25%, P = .005). The presence of anti-centromere antibodies was associated with liver failure (anti-centromere antibody positive vs negative, 58% vs 33%, P = .001). The time to liver failure was shorter in ANA-positive, compared with ANA-negative, patients (log rank score 5.8, P = .02). After 8.9 years (the median follow-up for patients without liver failure), 68% of ANA-positive and 81% of ANA-negative patients were free of liver failure. Anti-centromere antibodies were also associated with a shorter time to liver failure (log rank score 8.4, P = .004). After 8.9 years, 52% of anti-centromere antibody positive and 74% of anti-centromere antibody negative patients were without liver failure.

CONCLUSIONS

ANAs in general, and anti-centromere antibodies in particular, are associated with liver failure in PBC. PBC patients with ANAs may be candidates for treatment with experimental therapies to prolong the interval between diagnosis and liver failure. ANA-negative patients, who appear to have a relatively benign clinical course, should perhaps be treated with ursodeoxycholic acid alone.

D-penicillamine for primary biliary cirrhosis

BACKGROUND

D-penicillamine is used for patients with primary biliary cirrhosis due to its hepatic copper decreasing and immunomodulatory potentials. The results from randomised clinical trials have been inconsistent.

OBJECTIVES

To systematically review the beneficial and harmful effects of D-penicillamine for patients with primary biliary cirrhosis.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We identified trials through electronic searches of The Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group Controlled Trials Register (September 2003), The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials on The Cochrane Library (Issue 3, 2003), MEDLINE (January 1966 to September 2003), EMBASE (January 1980 to September 2003), The Chinese Biomedical CD Database (January 1979 to August 2003), and LILACS (1982 to 2003); through manual searches of bibliographies; and by contacting authors of the trials and pharmaceutical companies.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised clinical trials comparing D-penicillamine with placebo/no intervention or other control intervention irrespective of language, year of publication, and publication status.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two reviewers independently assessed the methodological quality of the trials and extracted data, validated by a third reviewer. The primary outcomes were 1) mortality and 2) a combination of those who died or underwent liver transplantation. We analysed dichotomous outcomes as relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) by a fixed effect model and a random effects model. We investigated sources of heterogeneity by subgroup analyses and tested the robustness of our findings by sensitivity analyses.

MAIN RESULTS

We included seven trials randomising 706 patients with primary biliary cirrhosis. D-penicillamine compared with placebo/no intervention tended to increase mortality (RR 1.34, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.64, fixed; RR 1.46, 95% CI 0.85 to 2.50, random). However, there was substantial heterogeneity. No significant differences were detected regarding the risks of mortality or liver transplantation, pruritus, liver complications, progression of liver histological stage, or the levels of liver biochemical variables (except alanine aminotransferase). D-penicillamine versus placebo/no intervention significantly increased the risk of adverse events (RR 3.11, 95% CI 2.33 to 4.16, fixed; RR 4.18, 95% CI 1.38 to 12.69, random).

REVIEWERS' CONCLUSIONS

D-penicillamine did not appear to reduce the risk of mortality, but significantly increased the occurrences of adverse events in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis. We do not support the use of D-penicillamine for patients with primary biliary cirrhosis.

Epidemiology of primary biliary cirrhosis in Victoria, Australia: high prevalence in migrant populations

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The prevalence of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) reported in different countries varies widely, indicating that genetic or environmental factors may be important in the etiology of the disease. The aim of this study was to examine this issue further by determining the overall prevalence of PBC in one state in Australia and to examine the prevalence among different migrant groups within this population.

METHODS

Thorough case-finding methods were used to identify all cases of PBC in Victoria, Australia. Age-adjusted prevalence rates among different migrant groups were examined.

RESULTS

A total of 249 cases were identified, giving a prevalence of 51 cases per million. This is significantly higher than the rate documented in a 1991 Victorian study. Prevalence in the 3 largest migrant groups was greater than that of Victoria as a whole (141, 200, and 208 cases per million in British, Italian, and Greek migrants, respectively). In women older than 40 years, previous studies have documented a prevalence of 940 cases per million in women in the United Kingdom; however, the prevalence was 344 cases per million in British-born immigrants to Victoria and 160 cases per million in Australian-born women.

CONCLUSIONS

The current prevalence of PBC in Victoria is higher than previously reported, but the age-adjusted prevalence in those born in Victoria remains significantly lower than in the United Kingdom and is less than in migrant communities. These findings suggest that Victorians may be relatively protected from developing the disease and add further weight to the suggestion that environmental factors may play a role in the etiology of PBC.

Tamoxifen: a novel treatment for primary biliary cirrhosis?

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease, which predominantly affects women. It is characterised histologically by necroinflammation of small intrahepatic bile ducts and biochemically by elevated serum alkaline phosphatase, levels of which at diagnosis predict survival. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is the only treatment shown to improve liver biochemistry and survival. We report two patients with PBC who show a fall in serum alkaline phosphates levels whilst receiving tamoxifen therapy. Tamoxifen may exert this effect, which warrants further study, either via cholangiocyte estrogen receptors, inhibiting cholangiocyte proliferation and inducing apoptosis or by activating pregnane X receptor, analogous to the mode of action of UDCA.

Epidemiology and pathogenesis of primary biliary cirrhosis

Primary biliary cirrhosis is an autoimmune disease of unknown etiology leading to progressive destruction of small intrahepatic bile ducts and eventually to liver cirrhosis and failure. It is characterized by female predominance (with most cases observed between the ages of 40 and 60) and serum autoantibodies to mitochondrial antigens as highly specific hallmarks. Epidemiologic data indicate a variable incidence and prevalence of the disease. A number of genetic factors have been indicated as playing a role in determining disease susceptibility or progression, although no definitive conclusion has been reached so far. However, as suggested by some epidemiologic observations, a number of environmental factors, including molecular mimicry by either microorganisms or xenobiotics, have also been proposed. A hypothesis gaining support is that environmental factors may trigger disease in genetically predisposed individuals. In this review, the available data regarding the epidemiology and pathogenesis of primary biliary cirrhosis will be described and discussed.

Management of osteoporosis, fat-soluble vitamin deficiencies, and hyperlipidemia in primary biliary cirrhosis

Osteoporosis is several times more common in patients with PBC compared with the general population. Maintaining adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D is important for prevention of bone loss. The use of bisphosphonates or vitamin K to improve bone mineral density in osteopenic patients seems promising and needs to be further evaluated. Patients with PBC may develop fat-soluble vitamin deficiencies, especially vitamins A and D; serum levels should be investigated in patients considered at risk with the aim of recommending appropriate replacement therapy. Finally, hyperlipidemia in PBC does not seem to be associated with an increased risk of atherogenesis. New therapies in this patient population are currently under investigation.

Primary biliary cirrhosis: historical perspective

PBC is an old disease first described in 1851. It's predilection for women and its association with other autoimmune diseases suggests an immune based pathogenesis, but epidemiologic studies indicate that genetic and environmental factors play a role in the pathogenesis of PBC. The serologic hallmark for PBC, namely the antimitochondrial antibody, was first identified in 1965 and remains the most sensitive and specific hallmark for this disease. When first described, primary biliary cirrhosis was universally fatal but asymptomatic cases now represent more than 60% of cases diagnosed, less than half of whom will die of their liver disease. No specific therapy that effectively stops or reverses disease progression has been identified, thus it behoves investigators to aggressively pursue identification of the etiology of PBC.

Natural history of pruritus in primary biliary cirrhosis

The natural history of pruritus in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) remains poorly defined. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate outcomes of pruritus in clinical trials for ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). In a UDCA-placebo trial begun in 1988 (n = 180), a 55% prevalence rate for pruritus was observed. Serum alkaline phosphatase level and Mayo risk score were independent risk factors for pruritus (P < 0.0001). Among placebo-treated patients (n = 91), the annual risks for development or improvement/resolution of pruritus were 27% and 23%, respectively. For UDCA-treated patients (n = 89), a trend toward improvement in pruritus was observed after 1 year compared to placebo (30% vs. 23%, P = 0.08) but not at 2 or 3 years. In a 3-dose UDCA trial begun in 1995 (n = 155), the overall prevalence of pruritus was significantly lower at 37% when compared to UDCA-placebo participants (P < 0.001). Baseline serum alkaline phosphatase level and Mayo risk score were again independent risk factors for pruritus (P < 0.0001). Among 13 (3.9%) patients with refractory pruritus, symptom resolution (n = 5) or improvement (n = 8) was associated with the use of oral rifampin (300 or 600 mg daily). Two patients treated with rifampin developed biochemical evidence for hepatotoxicity necessitating drug withdrawal. Although less prevalent among recently diagnosed individuals, more than one third of PBC patients develop pruritus. No significant risk reduction in developing pruritus with UDCA therapy was observed compared to placebo-treated patients. The long-term administration of rifampin for refractory pruritus is associated with occasional hepatotoxicity.

Cholestatic syndromes

Further insights into the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying hepatobiliary transport function and its regulation now permit a better understanding of the pathogenesis and treatment options of cholestatic liver diseases. Identification of the molecular basis of hereditary cholestatic syndromes will result in an improved diagnosis and management of these conditions. New insights into the pathogenesis of extrahepatic manifestations of cholestasis (eg, pruritus) have facilitated new treatment strategies. Important new studies have been published about the pathogenesis, clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, cholestasis of pregnancy, total parenteral nutrition-induced cholestasis, drug-induced cholestasis, and viral cholestatic syndromes.

Treatment Options for Primary Biliary Cirrhosis and Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) are chronic cholestatic liver diseases that affect 0.5 to 40 per 100,000 and 1 to 6 per 100,000 Americans, respectively. Prompt recognition and management of the clinical manifestations of these diseases is essential for the patients' well-being and ultimate outcome. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), 13 to 15 mg/kg per day, is the standard therapy for PBC and should be offered to every patient. It has been shown to slow progression of the disease and prevent the need for liver transplantation, which is the last recourse for patients with end-stage disease. However, there is no effective therapy for PSC yet. Patients are managed symptomatically, with surgical or endoscopic interventions as needed in cases of significant biliary obstruction. Complications of chronic cholestasis are seen in both PBC and PSC, with pruritus and fatigue being the most common complaints. The first choice for the treatment of pruritus is still cholestyramine, starting at 4 g/d. The pathogenesis of fatigue is poorly understood in this population; unrecognized hypothyroidism should be excluded. The use of antidepressants is currently under evaluation, but there is no specific therapy for fatigue as of yet. For prevention of severe osteoporosis, we recommend supplementation with 800 IU vitamin D and 1500 mg calcium/d. In patients with PBC and established osteoporosis, the use of alendronate and vitamin K appears to cause an increase in bone mineral density. Further studies are necessary before either of these drugs is routinely recommended. Finally, fat-soluble vitamin deficiencies are noted with more advanced disease. We recommend that serum levels be checked in high-risk patients, and that vitamins are replaced as appropriate with water-soluble supplements. However, other causes of malabsorption must be ruled out, including pancreatic insufficiency and celiac sprue.

Ursodeoxycholic acid for primary biliary cirrhosis

BACKGROUND

Primary biliary cirrhosis is a rare autoimmune liver disease and an effective treatment has been difficult to establish. Some randomised clinical trials have found an effect of ursodeoxycholic acid for primary biliary cirrhosis.

OBJECTIVES

Evaluate the beneficial effects and adverse effects of peroral ursodeoxycholic acid for primary biliary cirrhosis versus placebo or no intervention.

SEARCH STRATEGY

The Controlled Trials Register of The Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group, The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE and the full text of the identified studies were searched until April 2001. The electronic searches were done by entering the search terms 'ursodeoxycholic acid', 'UDCA', 'primary biliary cirrhosis', and 'PBC'.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised clinical trials evaluating ursodeoxycholic acid administered perorally at any dose versus placebo or no intervention in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis diagnosed by any method. Only trials using an adequate method for randomisation were included, regardless of blinding and language.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

The methodologic quality of the randomised clinical trials was evaluated by components and the Jadad-score. The following outcomes were extracted: mortality, liver transplantation, pruritus, other clinical symptoms (jaundice, portal pressure, (bleeding) oesophageal varices, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, hepato-renal syndrome, autoimmune conditions), liver biochemistry, liver function, liver biopsy findings, quality of life, and adverse events. All analyses were performed according to the intention-to-treat method.

MAIN RESULTS

A total of 16 randomised clinical trials evaluating ursodeoxycholic acid against placebo (n = 15) or no intervention (n = 1) in 1422 patients were identified. The median Jadad-score was 3 (range 1-5). A number of trials described as double blind had problems with the blinding. Neither mortality (odds ratio = 0.94; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.60 to 1.48), liver transplantation (odds ratio = 0.83; 95% CI 0.52 to 1.32), mortality or liver transplantation (odds ratio = 0.90; 95% CI 0.65 to 1.26), pruritus, fatigue, autoimmune conditions, quality of life, liver histology, or portal pressure were significantly affected by ursodeoxycholic acid (given in doses of 8-15 mg/kg/day for three months to five years). However, ursodeoxycholic acid significantly (P < 0.05) reduced ascites, jaundice, and biochemical variables such as serum bilirubin and liver enzymes. Ursodeoxycholic acid was not significantly associated with adverse events. Including data after patients had been switched onto open label ursodeoxycholic acid confirmed the findings regarding the lack of a significant effect of ursodeoxycholic acid on mortality and mortality or liver transplantation. A significant (P = 0.04) effect was, however, observed on the incidence of liver transplantation (odds ratio = 0.68; 95% CI 0.48 to 0.98).

REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS

Ursodeoxycholic acid has a marginal therapeutic effect for primary biliary cirrhosis. On the positive side, ursodeoxycholic acid has few side effects. The general usage of ursodeoxycholic acid for primary biliary cirrhosis needs reevaluation.