Tag Archives: mycophenolate mofetil

Is First Line Therapy for Autoimmune Hepatitis Changing? CAMARO Study Results

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RJ Snijders et al. J Hepatol 2024; 80: 576-585. Open Access! An open-label randomised-controlled trial of azathioprine vs. mycophenolate mofetil for the induction of remission in treatment-naive autoimmune hepatitis

Methods: In this 24-week, prospective, randomised, open-label, multicentre superiority trial, 70 patients (mean age 57.9 years) with treatment-naive AIH received either MMF or azathioprine, both in combination with prednisolone. The primary endpoint was biochemical remission (BR) defined as normalisation of serum levels of alanine aminotransferase and IgG after 24 weeks of treatment.

Treatment dosing in study (Table S2):

Key findings:

  • 56.4% of the MMF group and 29.0% of the azathioprine group achieved BR
  • No serious adverse events occurred in patients who received MMF (0%) but serious adverse events were reported in four patients who received azathioprine (12.9%) (p = 0.034)

Excerpts from the discussion:

  • “The evidence for the current standard induction therapy in AIH with azathioprine and prednisolone is limited and stems from the early seventies of the last century.”
  • “Patients assigned to azathioprine were significantly more prone to discontinuing treatment because of intolerance or SAEs, with nausea and vomiting as the main reasons for cessation of treatment.”
  • “MMF exhibits high teratogenicity. MMF should not be used during pregnancy and may only be used with strict contraceptive measures in women of childbearing age and men planning to father a child, as its use is absolutely contraindicated during pregnancy.”
  • “In addition, MMF must be administered twice daily, while azathioprine is given as a single dose daily…relevant for a disease that requires lifelong treatment.”

My take: This study needs to be replicated in the pediatric age group. Though many patients have some frequent side effects with MMF, the overall safety (and possibly effectiveness) appears improved with MMF compared with azathioprine.

Disclaimer: This blog, gutsandgrowth, assumes no responsibility for any use or operation of any method, product, instruction, concept or idea contained in the material herein or for any injury or damage to persons or property (whether products liability, negligence or otherwise) resulting from such use or operation. These blog posts are for educational purposes only. Specific dosing of medications (along with potential adverse effects) should be confirmed by prescribing physician.  Because of rapid advances in the medical sciences, the gutsandgrowth blog cautions that independent verification should be made of diagnosis and drug dosages. The reader is solely responsible for the conduct of any suggested test or procedure.  This content is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified healthcare provider. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a condition.

Hepatology Shorts: Glycosylation Disorders, MMF hepatotoxicity & Wilson’s Disease

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R Colantuono et al. JPGN 2021; 73: 444-454. Liver Involvement in Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation: A Systematic Review

Key points:

  • There are over 130 different types of CDG with 41 that have liver involvement; 7 with a hepatopathy and 34 with in the context of multisystem disease.
  • Transferrin isoform analysis (Isoelectric focusing or high-performance liquid chromotography) detects about 50% of the CDGs; hence, genetic panel or exome sequencing is needed for diagnosis in many cases.

M Warren et al. JPGN 2021; 73: 463-470. Mycophenolate Mofetil Hepatotoxicity Associated With Mitochondrial Abnormality in Liver Transplant Recipients and Mice

Key points:

  • 4 cases of MMF hepatoxicity are presented along with EM changes which revealed unequivocal mitochondrial abnormalities similar to those seen in primary and secondary mitochondrial disorders
  • MMF hepatotoxicity was confirmed in mouse study showing that MMF caused various stress changes in the mitochondria
  • Conclusion: Although MMF is safe for the majority of patients, MMF can cause mitochondrial stress, which may trigger more severe mitochondrial abnormalities in a small subset which can be evident with EM.

E Couchonnal et al JGPN; 73: e80-e86. Pediatric Wilson’s Disease: Phenotypic, Genetic Characterization and Outcome of 182 Children in France

This study examined the clinical data from 182 pediatric patients. WD was diagnosed at a mean age of 10.7 years. Overall survival at 20 years of followup was 98% and patient and transplant-free survival was 84% at 20 years.

Second-Line Treatments for Autoimmune Hepatitis

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A recent retrospective study (C Efe et al. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2017; 15: 1950-6) examined both mycophenolate mofetil (MMF, n=121) and tacrolimus (TAC, n=80) as second-line therapies for autoimmnue hepatitis with a median followup of 62 months. Patients were divided into two groups. The first group (n=108) had a complete response to steroids/azathioprine but had side effects.  The second group (n=93) were nonresponders to steroids/azathioprine. Overall, the cohort examined patients as young as 7 years and as old as 76 years.

Key findings:

  • No significant difference in complete response noted in 69.4% of MMF-treated compared with 72.4% in TAC-treated patients.
  • In group 1 patients (responders to azathioprine), MMF and TAC maintained biochemical remission in 91.9% and 94.1% respectively.
  • In group 2 (prior nonresponders), TAC-treated patients had a complete response rate of 56.5% compared with 34% for MMF-treated patients (P=.029).
  • Liver-related deaths and transplantation occurred with similar rates: MMF 13.2% compared with TAC 10.3%.  With each treatment, 10 patients withdrew from treatment due to side effects.

My take: In this study, both agents were effective in those who changed due to side effects.  However, tacrolimus-treated patients had a higher response among prior nonresponders.

Related blog posts:

Bright Angel Trail, Grand Canyon

 

Slim Pickings: Data for 2nd-Line Autoimmune Hepatitis Pediatric Therapy

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A recent study (AN Zizzo et al. JPGN 2017; 65: 6-15) performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of pediatric autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) studies.

The most remarkable finding was that there were only 76 patients from 15 qualifying studies.

Other findings:

  • Response to mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) with 34 patients was 36% (according to abstract) at 6 months  (discrepancy in article –results state 38% response)
  • Response to cyclosporine with 15 patients was 83% (discrepancy in article –results state 86% response)
  • Response to tacrolimus with 4 patients was 50%
  • Adverse effects were very common, particularly with cyclosporine (64% noted at least 1 adverse effect)

The article has an associated editorial (N Kerkar, pg 2-3).  “The adverse event profile of cyclosporine with gingival hyperplasia, hypertrichosis, nephrotoxicity, and neurotoxicity made it challenging for long-term use in children.”  Besides the small number of patients, “the studies that were included were largely “observational”‘ which limits their findings as well.  The study authors recommend MMF as the preferred option for 2nd-line therapy.

My take: Fortunately, most patients with autoimmune hepatitis respond to first line therapy with azathioprine/steroids.  It is unclear what is the optimal 2nd-line treatment for refractory patients.

Related blog entries:

Egret, Shem Creek

Journals Supplanting Textbooks: Managing Liver Disease

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Between Journals and online resources, textbooks are increasingly less useful.  Case in point -this past month, Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology published a special issue: The Art and Science of Managing Liver Disease.  Some of the articles are excellent reviews.

Screen Shot 2015-11-21 at 5.35.44 PM

With autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), the authors make a number of useful points and concisely summarized diagnosis and management.  A few points:

  • Anti-soluble liver antigen/liver-pancreas (SLA/LP) and Asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR) useful in diagnosis of AIH type 1 or 2 and is prognostic for severe disease.
  • In U.S. current guidelines suggest an azathioprine dose of 50 mg (for adults) whereas in Europe the dose is typically 1-2 mg/kg/day.  The authors suggest that the U.S. guidelines could lead to undertreatment, particularly with increasing rates of obesity.
  • The authors state that routine “testing for TPMT deficiency before AZA treatment of AIH is unnecessary, because severe TPMT deficiency occurs in 0.3%-0.5% of the general population and does not invariably cause AZA-induced bone marrow toxicity.” [I will probably continue to check TPMT activity.] They do recommend TPMT testing in cirrhotic patients and those with cytopenias.
  • The authors note that successful long-term withdrawal can occur in 19-40% but recommend biochemical remission (>12-24 months) and histologic remission.  They caution against withdrawal in patients after a relapse due to increased risks of progression to cirrhosis and/or death.
  • When discussing alternative therapies, the authors note that mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is typically effective for patients intolerant to AZA but not likely to work in AZA nonresponders.
  • Alternative agents reviewed included tacrolimus, cyclosporine, sirolimus/everolimus, rituximab, and infliximab.

Other topics in this issue included NAFLD, HCC, Varices, Hepatic encephalpathy, HBV, HCV, Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure, PSC and Malignancy, DILI, and noninvasive imaging for liver fibrosis.

Postgraduate Course Notes – Hepatitis Module

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Notes from NASPGHAN’s postgraduate course:

Refractory Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH):  — Vicky Ng

Dr. Ng’s talk started with an overview of AIH and referred to AASLD guidelines: Diagnosis and Management of Autoimmune Hepatitis – AASLD

Recommendations included the following:

  • Cholangiography for all new cases of AIH
  • Starting azathioprine after seeing some improvement in transaminases with steroids
  • Monitoring for HCC
  • Monitor bone density/bone protection strategies discussed
  • Long term Rx needed in majority, though small number may be able to come off therapy if doing well for 2 years and normal liver biopsy

Refractory mgt:

  • This is applicable in 15-20% of patients
  • Reasons for refractory disease: non response, drug intolerance, non-compliance, overlap syndrome, comorbidities
  • If treatment failure, options could include increasing steroids and azathioprine.  If concerns for decompensation, refer for liver transplant evaluation.
  • NO standard Rx for refractory, but consider MMF (mycophenolate mofetil), cyclosporin (CYA), or tacrolimus (FK)
  • MMF most promising agent for refractory disease.  Small studies of MMF in adults/pediatrics indicates response in about 2/3rds of patients; best for those intolerant to azathioprine & helpful in dropping steroid dosing.  In pediatrics, a starting dose of 20 mg/kg/day is typical and increasing up to 40 mg/kg/day.  Pediatric study: 18/26 (69%) with response and 14/18 with normal AST w/in 2 months.
  • Tacrolimus –small study showed about ~90% response.  Dose was 0.1 mg/kg/day & target trough was 3 ng/mL
  • Briefly discussed budesonide.  More data in pediatrics needed.

Postgraduate Course Syllabus (posted with permission): PG Syllabus

Disclaimer: These blog posts are for educational purposes only. Specific dosing of medications (along with potential adverse effects) and specific medical management interventions should be confirmed by prescribing physician.  Application of the information in a particular situation remains the professional responsibility of the practitioner.