Update on pharmacotherapies for cholestatic liver disease

Cholestatic liver diseases are conditions with impaired bile formation and/or flow due to genetic, immunologic, environmental, or other causes. Unless successfully treated, this can lead to chronic liver injury and end-stage liver disease. Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) embody the most prominent adult cholestatic liver diseases with regard to incidence, morbidity, and mortality. A considerable proportion of patients with PBC and PSC experience progressive liver disease and ultimately liver-related death due to a paucity of effective pharmacotherapy; however, novel pharmacologic developments offer substantial promise in this regard. Here, we provide a brief review and update on current and emerging pharmacotherapies for PBC and PSC. (Hepatology Communications 2017;1:7-17).