Pilot study of cyclosporin A in patients with symptomatic primary biliary cirrhosis

Tremor Induced by Cyclosporine, Tacrolimus, Sirolimus, or Everolimus: A Review of the Literature

Calcineurin inhibitors such as cyclosporine and tacrolimus are immunosuppressant drugs that are known to induce tremors. Non-calcineurin inhibitors such as sirolimus and everolimus have also reportedly been accompanied by tremors, albeit less likely. However, the prevalence rates reported in the literature are notably wide, and the risk profiles for these drug-induced tremors are less understood. We searched PubMed to extract data on the risk of tremors with these drugs when prescribed for various transplant and non-transplant indications. We ascertained whether the risk of drug-induced tremor is influenced by the underlying diagnosis, dosing formulations, drug concentrations, and blood monitoring. We extracted data on treatment strategies and outcomes for tremors. Articles were primarily screened based on English language publications, abstracts, and studies with n ≥ 5, which included case series, retrospective studies, case-controlled studies, and prospective studies. We found 81 eligible studies comprising 33 cyclosporine, 43 tacrolimus, 6 sirolimus, and 1 everolimus that discussed tremor as an adverse event. In the pooled analysis of studies with n > 100, the incidence of tremor was 17% with cyclosporine, 21.5% with tacrolimus, and 7.8% with sirolimus and everolimus together. Regarding the underlying diagnosis, tremor was more frequently reported in kidney transplant (cyclosporine 28%, tacrolimus 30.1%) and bone marrow transplant (cyclosporine 40%, tacrolimus 41.9%) patients compared with liver transplant (cyclosporine 9%, tacrolimus 11.5%) and nontransplant indications (cyclosporine 21.5%, tacrolimus 11.3%). Most studies did not report whether the risk of tremors correlated with drug concentrations in the blood. The prevalence of tremors when using the twice-daily formulation of tacrolimus was nearly the same as the once-daily formulation (17% vs 18%). Data on individual-level risk factors for tremors were lacking. Except for three studies that found some benefit to maintaining magnesium levels, there were minimal data on treatments and outcomes. A large body of data supports a substantive and wide prevalence of tremor resulting from tacrolimus use followed by cyclosporine, especially in patients receiving a kidney transplant. However, there is little reporting on the patient-related risk factors for tremor, risk relationship with drug concentrations, treatment strategies, and outcomes.

Pharmacological interventions for primary biliary cholangitis: an attempted network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Primary biliary cholangitis (previously primary biliary cirrhosis) is a chronic liver disease caused by the destruction of small intra-hepatic bile ducts resulting in stasis of bile (cholestasis), liver fibrosis, and liver cirrhosis. The optimal pharmacological treatment of primary biliary cholangitis remains uncertain.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the comparative benefits and harms of different pharmacological interventions in the treatment of primary biliary cholangitis through a network meta-analysis and to generate rankings of the available pharmacological interventions according to their safety and efficacy. However, it was not possible to assess whether the potential effect modifiers were similar across different comparisons. Therefore, we did not perform the network meta-analysis, and instead, assessed the comparative benefits and harms of different interventions using standard Cochrane methodology.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; 2017, Issue 2), MEDLINE, Embase, Science Citation Index Expanded, World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, and randomised controlled trials registers to February 2017 to identify randomised clinical trials on pharmacological interventions for primary biliary cholangitis.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included only randomised clinical trials (irrespective of language, blinding, or publication status) in participants with primary biliary cholangitis. We excluded trials which included participants who had previously undergone liver transplantation. We considered any of the various pharmacological interventions compared with each other or with placebo or no intervention.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. We calculated the odds ratio (OR) and rate ratio with 95% confidence intervals (CI) using both fixed-effect and random-effects models based on available-participant analysis with Review Manager 5. We assessed risk of bias according to Cochrane, controlled risk of random errors with Trial Sequential Analysis, and assessed the quality of the evidence using GRADE.

MAIN RESULTS

We identified 74 trials including 5902 participants that met the inclusion criteria of this review. A total of 46 trials (4274 participants) provided information for one or more outcomes. All the trials were at high risk of bias in one or more domains. Overall, all the evidence was low or very low quality. The proportion of participants with symptoms varied from 19.9% to 100% in the trials that reported this information. The proportion of participants who were antimitochondrial antibody (AMA) positive ranged from 80.8% to 100% in the trials that reported this information. It appeared that most trials included participants who had not received previous treatments or included participants regardless of the previous treatments received. The follow-up in the trials ranged from 1 to 96 months.The proportion of people with mortality (maximal follow-up) was higher in the methotrexate group versus the no intervention group (OR 8.83, 95% CI 1.01 to 76.96; 60 participants; 1 trial; low quality evidence). The proportion of people with mortality (maximal follow-up) was lower in the azathioprine group versus the no intervention group (OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.32 to 0.98; 224 participants; 2 trials; I² = 0%; low quality evidence). However, it has to be noted that a large proportion of participants (25%) was excluded from the trial that contributed most participants to this analysis and the results were not reliable. There was no evidence of a difference in any of the remaining comparisons. The proportion of people with serious adverse events was higher in the D-penicillamine versus no intervention group (OR 28.77, 95% CI 1.57 to 526.67; 52 participants; 1 trial; low quality evidence). The proportion of people with serious adverse events was higher in the obeticholic acid plus ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) group versus the UDCA group (OR 3.58, 95% CI 1.02 to 12.51; 216 participants; 1 trial; low quality evidence). There was no evidence of a difference in any of the remaining comparisons for serious adverse events (proportion) or serious adverse events (number of events). None of the trials reported health-related quality of life at any time point.

FUNDING

nine trials had no special funding or were funded by hospital or charities; 31 trials were funded by pharmaceutical companies; and 34 trials provided no information on source of funding.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Based on very low quality evidence, there is currently no evidence that any intervention is beneficial for primary biliary cholangitis. However, the follow-up periods in the trials were short and there is significant uncertainty in this issue. Further well-designed randomised clinical trials are necessary. Future randomised clinical trials ought to be adequately powered; performed in people who are generally seen in the clinic rather than in highly selected participants; employ blinding; avoid post-randomisation dropouts or planned cross-overs; should have sufficient follow-up period (e.g. five or 10 years or more); and use clinically important outcomes such as mortality, health-related quality of life, cirrhosis, decompensated cirrhosis, and liver transplantation. Alternatively, very large groups of participants should be randomised to facilitate shorter trial duration.

Optimal drug regimens for primary biliary cirrhosis: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

Objective

Most comprehensive treatments for PBC include UDCA, combination of methotrexate (MTX), corticosteroids (COT), colchicine (COC) or bezafibrate (BEF), cyclosporin A (CYP), D-penicillamine (DPM), methotrexate (MTX), or azathioprine (AZP). Since the optimum treatment regimen remains inconclusive, we aimed to compare these therapies in terms of patient mortality or liver transplantation (MOLT) and adverse event (AE).

Methods

We searched PubMed, Embase, Scopus and the Cochrane Library for randomized controlled trials until August 2014. We estimated HRs for MOLT and ORs for AE. The sensitivity analysis based on dose of UDCA was also performed.

Results

The search identified 49 studies involving 12 different treatment regimens and 4182 patients. Although no statistical significance can be found in MOLT, COT plus UDCA was ranked highest for efficacy outcome amongst all the treatment regimes. While for AEs, compared with OBS or UDCA, monotherapy with COC (OR 5.6, P < 0.001; OR 5.89, P < 0.001), CYP (OR 3.24, P < 0.001; OR 3.42, P < 0.001), DPM (OR 8.00, P < 0.001; OR 8.45, P < 0.001) and MTX (OR 5.31, P < 0.001; OR 5.61, P < 0.001) were associated with statistically significant increased risk of AEs. No significant differences were found for other combination regimes. Effect estimates from indirect comparisons matched closely to estimates derived from pairwise comparisons. Consistently, in the sensitivity analysis, results closely resembled our primary analysis.

Conclusions

COT plus UDCA was the most efficacious among treatment regimens both for MOLT and AEs.

Biochemical and immunologic effects of rituximab in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis and an incomplete response to ursodeoxycholic acid

The aim of this study was to determine the safety and potential efficacy of B-cell depletion with the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and an incomplete response to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). This open-label study enrolled six patients with PBC and incomplete responses to UDCA to be treated with 2 doses of 1000 mg rituximab separated by 2 weeks and followed for 52 weeks. The primary endpoints were safety and changes in B-cell function. Two patients received only 1 dose of rituximab, one due to activation of latent varicella and the other due to a viral upper respiratory infection. Serum levels of total IgG, IgM, and IgA as well as anti-mitochondrial autoantibodies (AMAs) IgA and IgM decreased significantly from baseline by 16 weeks and returned to baseline levels by 36 weeks. Stimulation of B cells with CpG produced significantly less IgM at 52 weeks after treatment compared with B cells at baseline. In addition, transient decreases in memory B-cell and T-cell frequencies and an increase in CD25(high) CD4(+) T cells were observed after treatment. These changes were associated with significant increases in mRNA levels of FoxP3 and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and a decrease in tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in CD4(+) T cells. Notably, serum alkaline phosphatase levels were significantly reduced up to 36 weeks following rituximab treatment.

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that depletion of B cells influences the induction, maintenance, and activation of both B and T cells and provides a potential mechanism for treatment of patients with PBC with an incomplete response to UDCA.

Liver transplantation in PBC and PSC: indications and disease recurrence

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) represent major indications for liver transplantation (LT). Despite the steady increase in the incidence and prevalence of PBC, the number of liver transplants for PBC has fallen in recent years, whereas the number of transplants for PSC has remained stable. Indications for LT for PBC and PSC are no different from those of other causes of chronic liver disease, apart from some disease-specific indications. PBC and PSC have more favourable outcomes after LT, compared to viral hepatitis and alcohol-associated liver disease. Numerous studies have clearly demonstrated that PBC and PSC recur after LT. The diagnosis of recurrent disease should be made on agreed criteria. The impact of recurrent disease on survival is unclear. Study of recurrent PBC and PSC may provide a better understanding of the mechanisms of these diseases in the native liver.

Effect of cyclosporine on blood pressure

BACKGROUND

Cyclosporine is an immunosuppressive agent used for different autoimmune diseases. The official Canadian indications for cyclosporine are solid organ transplantation, bone marrow transplantation, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis and nephritic syndrome (e-CPS 2008). The expanding range of indications for cyclosporine therapy will lead to more patients receiving chronic therapy with possible side effects, hypertension being one of the most common. Therefore it is essential to know the magnitude of increase of blood pressure (BP) associated with cyclosporine in order to appropriately manage patients receiving the drug.

OBJECTIVES

The primary objective of this systematic review is to evaluate the effect of cyclosporine on blood pressure, compared to placebo in randomized trials.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and bibliographic databases, including MEDLINE (2000-2008) and EMBASE (1980-2008).

SELECTION CRITERIA

Selection was made using double-blind, randomized, controlled trials comparing cyclosporine to placebo. All patients treated with cyclosporine were included without restriction by type of disease or by age and sex.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Blood pressure measurements in any setting and by any means were acceptable including the auscultatory or oscillometric method with a preference for the sitting position. Mean blood pressure results were entered as mean change from placebo and standard error of the mean (SEM). If blood pressure data was provided at different times after the initiation of cyclosporine therapy the weighted mean BP change from placebo from all measurements was used.

MAIN RESULTS

The search yielded 1340 citations, of which 17 trials met the inclusion criteria. We created dose-ranges according to the usual dose administration recommended by the manufacturer and allocated the 17 included trials to the corresponding dose-range. The results demonstrate a highly statistically significant increase in blood pressure associated with cyclosporine. There appears to be a dose-related effect with lower doses (1-4 mg/kg/d) increasing mean BP by an average of 5 mmHg and higher doses (>10 mg/kg/d) increasing mean BP by 11 mmHg on average. Furthermore in 3 trials the effect appears to be similar after a single dose as with chronic therapy.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Cyclosporine statistically significantly increases blood pressure compared to placebo in a dose-related fashion. The magnitude of increase in blood pressure is clinically significant and increases the risk of stroke, myocardial infarction, heart failure and other adverse cardiovascular events associated with elevated BP. Consequently prescribers should try to find the lowest effective dose in all patients receiving cyclosporine chronically.

Management of autoimmune and cholestatic liver disorders

The management of autoimmune and cholestatic liver disorders is a challenging area of hepatology. Autoimmune and cholestatic liver diseases represent a comparatively small proportion of hepatobiliary disorders, yet their appropriate management is of critical importance for patient survival. In this article, management strategies are discussed, including the indications and expectations of pharmacologic therapy, endoscopic approaches, and the role of liver transplantation.

Treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis: therapy with choleretic and immunosuppressive agents

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease of presumed autoimmune etiology affecting predominantly middle-aged women; it is a slowly progressive disease causing loss of intrahepatic bile ducts, resulting in advanced fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver failure. Many drugs have been studied for treatment, including agents with choleretic and immunosuppressive properties. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) has been evaluated most widely. After liver failure, the only effective treatment is liver transplantation. Effective therapy reduces the need for transplantation and improves life expectancy. For advanced liver disease or incomplete response to UDCA, new therapies to cure or retard the progression of disease in PBC are needed.

Cyclosporin A for primary biliary cirrhosis

BACKGROUND

Cyclosporin A has been used for patients with primary biliary cirrhosis, but the therapeutic responses in randomised clinical trials have been heterogeneous.

OBJECTIVES

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

SEARCH STRATEGY

Relevant randomised clinical trials were identified by searching The Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group Controlled Trials Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) in The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Science Citation Index Expanded, The Chinese Biomedical Database, and LILACS, and manual searches of bibliographies to June 2006. We contacted authors of trials and the company producing cyclosporin A.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised clinical trials comparing cyclosporin A 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 if appropriate, Peto odds ratio with 95% confidence interval (CI). Continuous outcomes were reported as weighted mean difference (WMD) or standardised mean difference (SMD). We examined intervention effects by random-effects and fixed-effect models.

MAIN RESULTS

We identified three trials with 390 patients that compared cyclosporin A versus placebo. Two of them were assessed methodologically adequate with low-bias risk. Cyclosporin A did not significantly reduce mortality risk (RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.59 to 1.45), and mortality or liver transplantation (RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.60 to 1.20). Cyclosporin A significantly improved pruritus (SMD -0.38, 95% CI -0.63 to -0.14), but not fatigue. Cyclosporin A significantly reduced alanine aminotransferase (WMD -41 U/L, 95% CI -63 to -18) and increased serum albumin level (WMD 1.66 g/L, 95% CI 0.26 to 3.05). Significantly more patients experienced adverse events in the cyclosporin A group than in the placebo group, especially renal dysfunction (Peto odds ratio 5.56, 95% CI 2.52 to 12.27) and hypertension (SMD 0.88, 95% CI 0.27 to 1.48).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

We found no evidence supporting or refuting that cyclosporin A may delay death, death or liver transplantation, or progression of primary biliary cirrhosis. Cyclosporin A caused more adverse events than placebo, like renal dysfunction and hypertension. We do not recommend the use of cyclosporin A outside randomised clinical trials.

Azathioprine for primary biliary cirrhosis

BACKGROUND

Azathioprine is used for patients with primary biliary cirrhosis, but the therapeutic responses in randomised clinical trials have been conflicting.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the benefits and harms of azathioprine for patients with primary biliary cirrhosis.

SEARCH STRATEGY

Randomised clinical trials were identified by searching The Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group Controlled Trials Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) in The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Science Citation Index Expanded, The Chinese Biomedical Database, and LILACS, and manual searches of bibliographies to September 2005.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised clinical trials comparing azathioprine versus 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) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Continuous outcomes were reported as weighted mean difference (WMD) or standardised mean difference (SMD). We examined the intervention effects by random-effects and fixed-effect models.

MAIN RESULTS

We identified two randomised clinical trials with 293 patients. Only one of the trials was regarded as having low bias risk. Azathioprine did not significantly decrease mortality (RR 0.80, 95% CI 0.49 to 1.31, 2 trials). Azathioprine did not improve pruritus at one-year intervention (RR 0.71, 95% CI 0.28 to 1.84, 1 trial), cirrhosis development, or quality of life. Patients given azathioprine experienced significantly more adverse events than patients given no intervention or placebo (RR 2.44, 95% CI 1.14 to 5.20, 2 trials). The common adverse events were rash, severe diarrhoea, and bone marrow depression.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There is no evidence to support the use of azathioprine for patients with primary biliary cirrhosis. Researchers who are interested in performing further randomised clinical trials should be aware of the risks of adverse events.

Immunosuppression affects the rate of recurrent primary biliary cirrhosis after liver transplantation

Identifying the risk factors associated with recurrence of primary biliary cirrhosis after liver transplantation may affect immunosuppression and increase understanding of the pathogenesis. Four hundred eighty-five patients with PBC were followed for a median of 79 months after transplantation; histological evidence of recurrence was found in 23%. On multivariate analysis, the only risk factor identified with recurrence was the type of calcineurin inhibitor used. The odds ratio for recurrence on tacrolimus was 2.73 (95% confidence interval: 1.84-4.10) compared with cyclosporine. For those receiving cyclosporine, the median time to recurrence was 123 months and for those on tacrolimus 62 months (P <.001). Reasons for this difference between the 2 calcineurin inhibitors are not clear.

Immunopathology of primary biliary cirrhosis

Our understanding of the immunopathology of PBC has dramatically changed with the application of molecular biology techniques in clinical medicine. This has allowed, not only the possibility of characterizing mitochondrial autoantigens fully at the molecular level, but also the identification of specific sites on these molecules that are targetted by autoreactive B and T cells. In addition, the expression of cloned antigens has facilitated the development of the most reliable assays currently available for the detection of mitochondrial autoantibodies. The assessment of the pathogenic capacity of autoreactive T cells, as well as the characterization the PDC-E2 'look alike' molecule expressed on the cell membrane of PBC biliary epithelial cells, remain the major unsolved issues in this disease. Ideally, the continuous effort from both basic and clinical scientist in understanding the pathogenic mechanisms of PBC will lead to more specific, effective, and safer modalities of treatment.

Effects of additional administration of colchicine in ursodeoxycholic acid-treated patients with primary biliary cirrhosis: a prospective randomized study

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Although ursodeoxycholic acid is effective for the treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis, some patients do not respond to this treatment. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of additional administration of colchicine in ursodeoxycholic acid-treated patients with primary biliary cirrhosis.

METHODS

Twenty-two patients with primary biliary cirrhosis treated with ursodeoxycholic acid (600 mg/day) for 30 months were randomly assigned to two groups: group 1, colchicine (1 mg/day) and ursodeoxycholic acid (n = 10); group 2, ursodeoxycholic acid alone (n = 12).

RESULTS

In group 1, there were significant decreases in mean serum levels of alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and IgM, and these changes were more remarkable in those who responded poorly to ursodeoxycholic acid. In contrast, there were no significant changes in those values in group 2.

CONCLUSIONS

Additional administration of colchicine to ursodeoxycholic acid may be beneficial for patients with primary biliary cirrhosis, especially those who respond poorly to ursodeoxycholic acid. It is necessary, however, to further confirm the efficacy of colchicine by examining histological changes and following the patients for longer periods.

Gingival overgrowth induced by nifedipine and cyclosporin A. Clinical and morphometric study with image analysis

In this study, we developed a quantitative method with digital image analysis to evaluate the degree of gingival overgrowth (GO), and compared GO in kidney transplant patients treated with cyclosporin A (CsA) (n = 21) or CsA+nifedipine (n = 8) and a group of healthy controls (n = 30). The method was reproducible and reliable. Our findings showed significant differences in papillary and gingival surface between controls and transplant patients treated with GO inducers. Gingival overgrowth index also differed significantly between controls and each patient group (p < 0.01, Kruskal-Wallis test). The administration of the calcium channel blocker nifedipine potentiated the adverse effect of CsA: comparison of the morphometric findings revealed significant differences between patients treated with CsA alone and CsA+nifedipine in papillary area, dental area, and GO index (p < 0.01, Mann-Whitney U-test). We conclude that the method of image analysis we developed is useful in assessing the degree of GO.

Ursodeoxycholic acid therapy of chronic cholestatic conditions in adults and children

Cholestasis can be defined as the manifestation of defective bile acid transport from the liver to the intestine. Most chronic cholestatic conditions can progress towards cirrhosis. At this stage, liver transplantation is the treatment of choice. Most of the drugs so far evaluated show some degree of efficacy but have major side effects. Given that ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) has no apparent toxicity in humans, it was postulated that long-term treatment with this drug might displace endogenous bile acids and thus reverse their suspected toxicity. We demonstrated that long-term UDCA therapy slows the progression of primary biliary cirrhosis and reduces the need for liver transplantation. In this review, we give the rationale for the use of UDCA in cholestasis and discuss its possible mechanisms of action. We also give an overview of current data on UDCA therapy of chronic cholestatic disorders in adults and children.

Peripheral B lymphocyte repertoire to mitochondrial antigen in primary biliary cirrhosis--positive correlation between the disease activity and the frequency of circulating B lymphocytes specific for pyruvate dehydrogenase complex

B lymphocytes committed to the production of IgG antibodies (Abs) to mitochondrial antigen such as pyruvate dehydrogenase complex(PDC) were quantitated in the peripheral blood of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis(PBC) using Epstein-Barr virus as a polyclonal activator of human B lymphocytes. B lymphocytes committed to the production of IgG Abs to PDC were found in high frequency in patients with PBC(0.54 +/- 0.16%, mean value +/- SE, of total IgG-producing B lymphocytes) in contrast to type C chronic hepatitis and healthy subjects in which they were less than 0.01%. The frequency of these B lymphocytes specific for PDC increased in parallel to the progression of the Scheuer's stage from I to II (stage I: 0.35 +/- 0.23%, stage II: 1.04 +/- 0.32%), but decreased with further progression to stage IV (stage III: 0.39 +/- 0.21%, stage IV: 0.07 +/- 0.06%). In addition, B lymphocytes specific for PDC decreased in the peripheral blood during the administration of cyclosporin A; this was accompanied by an improvement of lymphocyte infiltration severity in the liver. These data indicate that B lymphocytes specific for PDC are present in the peripheral blood of patients with PBC and their frequency reflects the degree of the lymphocyte infiltration in the liver.

The influence of cyclosporine A therapy on sex hormone levels in pre- and post-menopausal women with primary biliary cirrhosis

The mechanism underlying sex hormone disturbances in post-menopausal women with primary biliary cirrhosis is unclear, but these alterations may occur as a consequence of liver disease. As cyclosporine may have some therapeutic potential is this condition, we have evaluated short-term alterations in plasma sex hormone levels in 11 pre- and 19 post-menopausal women with primary biliary cirrhosis following randomisation to cyclosporine A or placebo therapy. Baseline sex hormone binding globulin levels were markedly depressed in all pre-menopausal women but were elevated for the post-menopausal group when compared to standard reference ranges. Testosterone and dihydrotestosterone levels were low or markedly depressed in both patient groups. Androstendione concentrations tended to be higher than the normal range in the post-menopausal group. Oestradiol levels were within the normal range for the pre-menopausal group but were relatively higher in the post-menopausal group than in other normal post-menopausal women. Cyclosporine A therapy resulted in significant decreases in sex hormone binding globulin levels (26.6 +/- 5.0 to 16.2 +/- 4.6 nmol/l; p < 0.05) in the premenopausal group and reduction in total (336 +/- 163 to 140 +/- 132 pmol/l; p < 0.01) and free (6 +/- 5 to 2 +/- 3 pmol/l; p < 0.05) oestradiol levels in the post-menopausal group at 6 months. There were no significant alterations in other hormonal parameters. No temporal changes occurred in the placebo group. Cyclosporine A therefore induces significant but variable sex hormone changes in both pre- and post-menopausal women with primary biliary cirrhosis.

Ursodiol for the long-term treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis. The UDCA-PBC Study Group

BACKGROUND

Ursodiol (ursodeoxycholic acid) therapy leads to major improvements in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis. The benefit of long-term treatment is uncertain.

METHODS

We randomly assigned 145 patients with biopsy-proved primary biliary cirrhosis to receive ursodiol (13 to 15 mg per kilogram of body weight per day) (72 patients) or placebo (73 patients). After two years of follow-up, because of the benefit from ursodiol, all patients completing the study received ursodiol in an open trial and were monitored for two more years. The end points in the assessment of efficacy were as follows: progression of disease, as defined by the presence of hyperbilirubinemia, variceal bleeding, ascites, or encephalopathy; liver transplantation or a referral for that procedure; and liver transplantation (or a referral) or death.

RESULTS

Disease progressed significantly less frequently in the ursodiol group than in the placebo group (P < 0.002; relative risk, 0.28; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.12 to 0.63). The probability of liver transplantation or a referral for that procedure and the probability of transplantation or death were significantly lower in the group assigned to ursodiol than in the group assigned to placebo (for transplantation alone, P = 0.003; relative risk, 0.21; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.07 to 0.66; for transplantation or death, P = 0.005; relative risk, 0.32; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.14 to 0.74). High bilirubin levels and, to a lesser extent, signs of cirrhosis at entry into the trial were predictive of disease progression, liver transplantation or a referral, and transplantation or death.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term ursodiol therapy slows the progression of primary biliary cirrhosis and reduces the need for liver transplantation.

The Canadian Multicenter Double-blind Randomized Controlled Trial of ursodeoxycholic acid in primary biliary cirrhosis

Ursodeoxycholic acid, a dihydroxyl bile acid normally present in human beings in minimal amounts, becomes incorporated into the bile salt pool when taken orally. In cholestasis, bile acids are retained in the liver and are hepatotoxic. Ursodeoxycholic acid is the least-known hepatotoxic bile acid, has choleretic properties and is reported to benefit patients with chronic cholestasis. In a nationwide Canadian controlled trial, 222 patients with primary biliary cirrhosis were treated with ursodeoxycholic acid (14 mg/kg/body wt/day) or placebo for 24 mo. Only patients with a diagnosis confirmed by liver biopsy and serum positive for antimitochondrial antibodies were enrolled; 88% were symptomatic on entry. The primary outcome measure was percent change in total serum bilirubin from baseline to final follow-up. Treated patients (111) and controls (111) were comparable with regard to age, gender, biochemical parameters and liver histological condition. Although treatment was not associated with any improvement in symptoms, ursodeoxycholic acid therapy caused the bilirubin to fall significantly within the first 3 mo of therapy (p < 0.001). Significant falls in serum alkaline phosphatase, aminotransferases, cholesterol and IgM levels were also noted in the treated group. Improvement in some histological features was observed but there was no difference between the groups in the number of patients who reached the endpoints of death or liver transplantation. Ursodeoxycholic acid, given to patients with primary biliary cirrhosis, leads to an improvement in serum markers of cholestasis. A larger sample size is needed to determine whether ursodeoxycholic acid therapy has a beneficial effect on the survival of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis.

Primary biliary cirrhosis. Histological evidence of disease recurrence after liver transplantation

Histological evidence of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) recurring after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) was looked for in a 'blinded' study of 353 biopsies from 188 patients, 12-100 months post-transplant. Biopsies (172) were obtained from 83 patients transplanted for PBC and 181 biopsies from 105 patients with other liver diseases. Sixteen biopsies from 13 PBC patients (16%) had features suggestive of recurrent disease. The main diagnostic findings were: mononuclear portal inflammatory infiltration (n = 16), portal lymphoid aggregates (n = 14), portal epithelioid granulomas (n = 14) and bile duct damage (n = 15). This combination of changes was not seen in any biopsy from the non-PBC group. Additional features supporting a diagnosis of recurrent disease were ductopenia (n = 7), bile ductular proliferation (n = 7), portal fibrosis (n = 6) and copper deposition (n = 5). Thirteen biopsies from 12 patients were classified as stage I or II histologically. The other patient developed progressive damage in three serial biopsies resulting in an early micronodular cirrhosis, 5 years post-transplant. These observations provide further evidence that PBC recurs after OLT. More studies are required to determine the natural history and clinical significance of the predominantly early histological changes documented so far.

Ursodeoxycholic acid in the treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis: a short-term, randomized, double-blind controlled, cross-over study with long-term follow up

In order to evaluate the efficacy of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in the treatment of Chinese patients with primary biliary cirrhosis, a short-term, randomized, double-blind controlled, cross-over study was done with long-term follow up. In the first part of the study, 12 patients were randomly chosen to receive either UDCA 600 mg/day for 3 months followed by a placebo for 3 months or a placebo for 3 months followed by UDCA for 3 months. The clinical symptoms of pruritus improved when the patients were receiving UDCA but became worse when receiving a placebo. Mean serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALPase), gamma-glutamyl transferase (gamma-GT), total bilirubin, cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase all decreased below the baseline values when receiving UDCA treatment and all increased above the baseline values when receiving the placebo. The difference was statistically significant. In the second part of the study, 19 patients received long-term UDCA treatment (mean 20 months). The clinical symptoms of pruritus improved in 90% of the pruritic patients. Serum levels of ALPase, gamma-GT and ALT fell significantly from the pretreatment values, 6, 12 and from the mean 20 months after UDCA treatment. Serum levels of total bilirubin fell significantly 6 and 12 months after UDCA treatment but did not reach statistical significance at the last follow up. No patient lost antimitochondrial antibody and elevated immunoglobulin levels did not improve significantly, but the Mayo clinical risk score improved significantly after long-term UDCA treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Positive responses to methotrexate and ursodeoxycholic acid in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis responding insufficiently to ursodeoxycholic acid alone

Methotrexate (2.5 mg/day) was used in addition to ursodeoxycholic acid (10-15 mg/kg per day) in 8 female patients with primary biliary cirrhosis. All patients had undergone ursodeoxycholic acid treatment for more than 6 months preceding this study and their serum alkaline phosphatase remained constant at more than 300 U/l for more than 2 months. One patient showed histologic stage I, three stage II, two stage III and two stage IV disease. Within 6 months, fatigue and itching disappeared in all symptomatic patients. Serum alkaline phosphatase activities improved dramatically (621 +/- 299 to 378 +/- 258, mean +/- S.D.) in all but one patient and normalized in four. Serum gamma-glutamyltransferase activities (180 +/- 99 U/l vs. 150 +/- 125 U/l) and immunoglobulin M concentrations (616 +/- 424 vs. 362 +/- 195 mg/dl) also improved. Adverse effects of methotrexate therapy were only regularly observed within the first 2-6 weeks, such as fatigue and transient enhancement of transaminases and serum bile acid concentrations. We conclude that methotrexate may be a highly effective drug for the treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis in patients whose symptoms and/or laboratory liver function tests are not improved enough by ursodeoxycholic acid alone. However, its influence on histology and the natural history of the disease needs to be established.

Cyclosporin A treatment in primary biliary cirrhosis: results of a long-term placebo controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Effective treatment for primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) resulting in slower progression and improved survival remains elusive. Cyclosporin A (CyA), which has been so effective in preventing human allograft rejection, has shown promise in small numbers of patients in early studies.

METHODS

Three hundred forty-nine patients with PBC were randomized to receive CyA, 3 mg.kg-1.day-1, or placebo in a multicenter study with follow-up for 6 years. The end point was death or liver transplantation.

RESULTS

Cox multivariate analysis showed time from entry to death or transplantation was significantly prolonged (by up to 50%) in the CyA-treated group. Liver-related mortality was also significantly lower. However, a univariate analysis of survival showed no statistical differences between the two groups. Biochemical liver indices deteriorated more slowly in the CyA-treated group, but serum creatinine concentration was elevated > 150 mumol/L in 9%, necessitating permanent discontinuation in half of these. A reduction in the dose of CyA was required in 11% because of hypertension.

CONCLUSIONS

CyA has some therapeutic potential in primary biliary cirrhosis, providing blood pressure and renal function are closely monitored.

The results of a randomized double blind controlled trial evaluating malotilate in primary biliary cirrhosis. A European multicentre study group

One hundred and one patients were included in a double-blind controlled trial to determine whether malotilate (diisopropyl 1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene malonate) is therapeutically effective in primary biliary cirrhosis. Fifty-two patients received malotilate (500 mg three times a day) and 49 patients placebo. The mean follow-up time was 28 months (range 6-46 months). The large majority of patients did not have advanced liver disease since only ten patients were in Child-Pugh class B and none in class C, and the median bilirubin and albumin at entry were normal. Malotilate had no clear effect on pruritus. In malotilate recipients the following statistically significant biochemical changes occurred: alkaline phosphatase decreased 21%, AST 20%, ALT 40%, IgA 12% and IgM 26%. In the placebo group no significant changes occurred. Evaluation of entry and 2-year liver biopsies indicated that malotilate diminished plasma cell and lymphocytic infiltrate and piece-meal necrosis, but had no effect on liver fibrosis. There was no difference in survival or in disease progression according to Child-Pugh criteria. In six patients receiving malotilate, but in none on placebo, treatment was discontinued due to suspected side effects. All patients recovered completely. We conclude that malotilate has an immune-modulating, anti-inflammatory but not anti-fibrotic effect in primary biliary cirrhosis. The clinical relevance of the observed benefits, however, appears too slight to recommend malotilate as single drug therapy in primary biliary cirrhosis.

Oral pharmacokinetics of cyclosporin in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis and patients with skin diseases

The pharmacokinetics of cyclosporin after oral administration were studied in seven patients with non-end stage primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) without previous cyclosporin treatment (Group I), a control group of nine patients with skin diseases (mainly psoriasis; Group II) and six patients with PBC after prolonged cyclosporin treatment (Group III). Whole blood concentrations of cyclosporin were measured using a non-specific (N) radioimmunoassay (RIA) and--in a majority of the cases--also by a RIA specific (S) for the parent drug. No difference in cyclosporin absorption was observed between patients with PBC and those with a skin disease. The mean values for the area under the blood concentration-time curve for the first 6 h after the test dose (AUC0-6) and the maximal blood concentrations (Cmax) were significantly higher for Group I compared with Group II patients (P = 0.007 and 0.03, respectively), but the time to maximal blood concentrations (tc,max) did not differ. There was a trend toward higher mean AUC0-6 (P = 0.08) and Cmax (P = 0.08) values for Group III compared with Group I patients. Tc,max values were not influenced by prolonged cyclosporin treatment. The ratio of cyclosporin whole blood concentrations measured by the non-specific and specific RIA's (N/S ratio) increased with time without obvious differences between the three groups. These data suggest that cyclosporin absorption and its biotransformation in the liver are not impaired in patients with non-end stage PBC and that neither is affected by prolonged treatment.

A controlled trial of prednisolone treatment in primary biliary cirrhosis. Three-year results

The results of a 3-year, placebo-controlled trial of prednisolone treatment in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) are presented. The active (n = 19) and placebo (n = 17) arms were initially well matched for age, menopausal status and disease severity. At 3 years hepatic symptoms were relatively improved in the prednisolone group. Hepatic mortality was 3/19 (prednisolone), 5/17 (placebo) (p = n.s.). For all liver blood tests the trend favoured prednisolone treatment, though the differences were only significant for alkaline phosphatase and protein. All immunoglobulins fell significantly. Quantitative ELISA determination of antimitochondrial antibody showed a significant fall in the prednisolone group compared with placebo (p less than 0.001 at 1 year, p less than 0.05 at 3 years). Deterioration in histology (appearance of cirrhosis) was more common in the placebo group. Overall hepatic function (hepatic mortality, doubling in bilirubin, 6 milligrams fall in albumin, de novo appearance of cirrhosis or symptoms of portal hypertension) was significantly worse in the placebo group (p less than 0.01). After 3 years no significant differences could be detected in bone mineral content (single photon absorptiometry of radius and femur) between the two groups or in comparison with other PBC patients. Thus, after 3 years, prednisolone treatment was associated with a better overall hepatic outcome and little evidence of increased bone loss.

Immunointervention in primary biliary cirrhosis: an overview

Since autoimmune processes are probably involved in the early stages of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), immunomodulatory drugs have been investigated with the aim of prolonging survival, delaying transplantation, slowing histological progression and relieving symptoms. Corticosteroids, azathioprine, chlorambucil and, more recently, cyclosporin A and methotrexate have all be subjected to clinical investigation. In the latest of these, a European multicentre trial, cyclosporin A has been shown to delay death or transplantation with a reduction in liver related deaths and slowing of the rise of serum bilirubin. The incidence of nephrotoxicity and hypertension are low at the doses used.

Serial determination of type III procollagen amino propeptide serum levels in patients with histologically progressive and non-progressive primary biliary cirrhosis

We examined the value of serum procollagen III amino propeptide (PIIIP) for predicting the histological progression of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). Serial PIIIP measurements were obtained for nine patients with histologically progressive PBC and nine patients with histologically stable early disease, assessed by repeated liver biopsies and followed for up to 13 years. The means of the follow-up PIIIP concentrations were elevated in 39% of the cases; moreover, PIIIP levels were elevated at least once during follow-up in 72% of the cases. Mean follow-up PIIIP concentrations did not differ significantly between progressive and non-progressive patients. In addition, in the progressive group, histological progression was not reflected by PIIIP levels. No difference was found between the serum PIIIP levels corresponding to the histological stages I, II and III. The individual coefficients of the correlation between serum PIIIP and biochemical variables (bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, ASAT, albumin) and histology showed a wide distribution without a consistent trend towards positive or negative. Treatment with cyclosporin A or cyclosporin A combined with prednisone did not influence serum PIIIP levels. Treatment with penicillamine combined with prednisone, however, resulted in a significant decrease in PIIIP concentrations (p less than 0.05). We conclude that serum PIIIP measurements are of no value for predicting the histological progression of PBC.

A multicenter, controlled trial of ursodiol for the treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis. UDCA-PBC Study Group

BACKGROUND

In primary biliary cirrhosis the hepatic lesions may result, at least in part, from the intracellular accumulation of potentially toxic endogenous bile acids. Preliminary work suggests that the administration of ursodiol (also called ursodeoxycholic acid), a hydrophilic bile acid without hepatotoxicity, leads to improvement in the condition of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis.

METHODS

We conducted a two-year, multicenter, double-blind trial to compare the efficacy of ursodiol with that of placebo. Patients with biopsy-proved primary biliary cirrhosis were randomly assigned to receive either ursodiol (13 to 15 mg per kilogram of body weight per day) (n = 73) or placebo (n = 73). Treatment failure was defined as a doubling of bilirubin levels to more than 70 mumol per liter or the occurrence of a severe complication (ascites or variceal bleeding) or an adverse reaction.

RESULTS

Treatment failed in 6 patients in the ursodiol group, as compared with 13 in the placebo group (P less than 0.01 by Cox regression model). A single patient in each group withdrew because of minor adverse effects. After two years of treatment, the proportion of patients with clinically overt disease decreased only in the ursodiol group (P less than 0.02). The patients treated with ursodiol had significant improvements in serum levels of bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, cholesterol, and IgM (all P less than 0.001); the antimitochondrial-antibody titer (P less than 0.01); and the Mayo risk score (P less than 0.001). Follow-up analysis of 95 liver-biopsy specimens showed a significant improvement in the mean histologic score (P less than 0.002) and in all the characteristic histologic features except fibrosis only in the group given ursodiol.

CONCLUSIONS

Ursodiol is a safe and effective treatment for primary biliary cirrhosis.

Ursodeoxycholic acid for the treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis. Interim analysis of a double-blind multicentre randomized trial. The UDCA-PBC Study Group

Based on uncontrolled observations, we have proposed ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) as a novel therapeutic approach in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). To confirm and extend our original findings, we have designed a double-blind multicentre randomized clinical trial. An interim analysis was planned at 6 months, involving all subjects included in the trial, with a final analysis at 2 years. The UDCA-PBC trial began in June 1987 and will be completed in March 1990. Seventy patients were randomized to receive UDCA and 68 a placebo. The two groups were well matched with respect to age, sex, duration and prevalence of symptoms and histologic severity (50% of the UDCA group had stage III-IV disease vs. 37% of the placebo group). During the first 6 months of follow-up, six patients withdrew from the trial. At 6 months, the proportion of patients with jaundice was significantly lower (p less than 0.01) in UDCA recipients than in the placebo group. There was a similar decrease in the proportion of patients with pruritus and fatigue in both groups. The following laboratory test values were significantly lower in UDCA recipients than in the placebo group after 6 months of therapy: serum bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase (ALAT), aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT), gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase activities (p less than 0.001), cholesterol (p less than 0.003) and IgM levels (p less than 0.03). The results of this interim analysis confirm and extend the biochemical data provided by our previous pilot study. However the final analysis of the trial is necessary for a definitive assessment of the safety and efficacy of UDCA therapy in PBC.

A controlled trial of cyclosporine in the treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis

Primary biliary cirrhosis is a progressive disease of the liver characterized by the immunologic destruction of bile ducts; effective therapy is lacking. We therefore evaluated the safety and efficacy of low-dose cyclosporine in 29 patients with primary biliary cirrhosis without evidence of damage to the lobular architecture (precirrhotic disease) or portal hypertension. The patients were randomly assigned to receive either cyclosporine (4 mg per kilogram of body weight per day) or placebo. After one year 17 of the 19 patients assigned to cyclosporine had improvement or stability in their degree of fatigue, and 18 in their degree of pruritus. In contrast, among the 10 patients assigned to placebo, fatigue increased in 4 (P less than 0.06) and pruritus worsened in 6 (P less than 0.001). Those assigned to cyclosporine also had significant decreases in serum levels of bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma globulin, and the titer of antimitochondrial antibodies. For the 20 patients who have completed two years in the study, liver biopsies (coded specimens) showed evidence of histologic progression in only 1 of 13 patients in the cyclosporine group, as compared with 5 of 7 in the placebo group (P less than 0.003). No patient has permanently discontinued cyclosporine because of side effects; however, signs of nephrotoxicity developed in 12 of 19, and 9 of 19 had increased blood pressure. We conclude that in patients with precirrhotic primary biliary cirrhosis, immunosuppressive therapy with cyclosporine is promising and deserves further evaluation.