A Pilot Study of Fenofibrate and Ursodeoxycholic Acid in the Treatment of Newly Diagnosed Primary Biliary Cholangitis

A Single Center, Randomized Controlled, Pilot Study of Fenofibrate and Ursodeoxycholic Acid in the Treatment of Newly Diagnosed Primary Biliary Cholangitis

This study is a prospective, single center, randomized controlled, exploratory clinical trial aimed at evaluating the efficacy and safety of fenofibrate in newly diagnosed PBC subjects.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Must have provided written informed consent

• Age 18-75 years;

• BMI 17-28 kg/m2

• Male or female with a diagnosis of PBC, by at least two of the following criteria:

  1. History of AP above ULN for at least six months;
  2. Positive AMA titers (>1/40 on immunofluorescence or M2 positive by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or positive PBC-specific antinuclear antibodies;
  3. Documented liver biopsy result consistent with PBC.

• Not receiving UDCA treatment before enrollment, ALP>ULN

Exclusion Criteria:

• History or presence of other concomitant liver diseases.
• ALT or AST > 5×ULN, TBIL > 3×ULN.
• If female: known pregnancy, or has a positive urine pregnancy test (confirmed by a positive serum pregnancy test), or lactating.
• Allergic to fenofibrate or ursodeoxycholic acid.
• Taking hepatotoxic drugs (e.g., dapsone, erythromycin, fluconazole, ketoconazole, rifampicin) for more than 2 weeks within 6 months, and long-term hormonal users.
• Recurrent variceal bleeding, poorly controlled hepatic encephalopathy or refractory ascites.
• Patients with a history of severe cardiac, cerebrovascular, renal, respiratory disease or functional failure, and psychiatric disorders (including those due to alcohol and drug abuse).
• Creatinine >1.5×ULN and creatinine clearance <60 ml/min.
• Currently using statins (such as pravastatin, fluvastatin, and simvastatin), other fibrates (such as gemfibrozil and bezafibrate), and drugs structurally similar to fenofibrate (like ketoprofen).
• Planned to receive an organ transplant or an organ transplant recipient.
• Needing Liver transplantation within 1 year according to the Mayo Rick score.
• Any other condition(s) that would compromise the safety of the subject or compromise