Original Article from The New England Journal of Medicine — Efficacy and Safety of Elafibranor in Primary Biliary Cholangitis

Read the full paper: A small-molecule screen identifies that elafibranor links mechanical cues and Irf6-dependent epithelial differentiation

We report 104-week placebo-controlled data and long-term open-label extension (OLE) data from the ongoing ELATIVE® phase III trial (NCT04526665) of elafibranor in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC).

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of intrahepatic bile ducts, leading to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver failure. Ursodeoxycholic acid remains the first-line treatment, but up to 40% of patients respond inadequately and continue to experience fatigue and pruritus. This therapeutic gap has recently been addressed by the approval of two new drugs, elafibranor and seladelpar, which activate peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs). This review explores recently unveiled molecular mechanisms underlying the effectiveness of PPAR-targeting drugs in PBC, focusing on their effects on cellular immune regulation, bile acid production and toxicity, and hepatic fibrosis. Additionally, we examine current knowledge and ongoing challenges that will influence the roles of PPAR agonists in improving PBC treatment.

Majority of patients achieve meaningful pruritus relief, according to long-term ASSURE data

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of intrahepatic bile ducts, leading to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver failure. Ursodeoxycholic acid remains the first-line treatment, but up to 40% of patients respond inadequately and continue to experience fatigue and pruritus. This therapeutic gap has recently been addressed by the approval of two new drugs, elafibranor and seladelpar, which activate peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs). This review explores recently unveiled molecular mechanisms underlying the effectiveness of PPAR-targeting drugs in PBC, focusing on their effects on cellular immune regulation, bile acid production and toxicity, and hepatic fibrosis. Additionally, we examine current knowledge and ongoing challenges that will influence the roles of PPAR agonists in improving PBC treatment.

ELATIVE phase III data show sustained biochemical response, symptom signals, stable fibrosis markers, and longer-term safety with elafibranor in PBC.

The ELSPIRE trial evaluated patients with PBC who had an inadequate response or intolerance to UDCA and baseline ALP levels between 1 to 1.67 x ULN.