Advancing Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) Management: Insights from Experts  

“We are on the cusp of an absolute explosion in our approach to managing PBC.” – Professor Gideon Hirschfield, Hepatologist and Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto. 

Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) is a rare autoimmune liver disease, causing chronic inflammation of the bile ducts. It can significantly impact a person’s quality of life and, if untreated, can result in premature death.¹ 

“It is important to look beyond the liver to improve patient quality of life, and we should have a holistic approach to PBC.” – Dr Marco Carbone, Hepatologist and Clinical Lecturer at the University of Milan. 

Current therapies for PBC do not address the potentially debilitating symptoms of the disease, such as chronic pruritus (itch) and fatigue.² In some cases, severe pruritus can lead to sleep deprivation, depression, and suicidal ideation.³  

“It’s the common goal of physicians and patients that our patients should not only live longer but feel and function better now and going forward.” – Professor Gideon Hirschfield, Hepatologist and Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto. 

To celebrate the 10^th anniversary of the Global PBC Study Group, leading experts in the field of rare liver disease, patient organizations and industry representatives met in Rotterdam to discuss the latest research and insights in PBC management. Following the event, we had the opportunity to speak with Professor Gideon Hirschfield and Dr Marco Carbone on the importance of improving patient quality of life alongside clinical outcomes in PBC management. 

“I believe patients are becoming more powerful. They are taking more ownership of the disease; they are more involved in their management.” – Dr Marco Carbone, Hepatologist and Clinical Lecturer at the University of Milan. 

References: 

1. Younossi ZM, et al. 2019. Diagnosis and Management of Primary Biliary Cholangitis. Am J Gastroenterol. 114(1):48–63. 

2. Aguilar MT and Chascsa, D.M., 2020. Update on emerging treatment options for primary biliary cholangitis. Hepat Med. p.69-77. 

3. Gungabissoon U, et al. 2022. Disease burden of primary biliary cholangitis and associated pruritus based on a cross-sectional US claims analysis. BMJ Open Gastro. 9(1):.e000857.