Could a cholesterol drug help fight a rare liver disease?

NCT ID NCT06174402

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: Han Ying Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether adding fenofibrate (a drug used for high cholesterol) to standard treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid can improve liver health in people with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), a rare autoimmune liver disease. About 184 adults with PBC will receive either fenofibrate or a placebo, plus their usual medication, for up to 48 weeks. The main goal is to see if the combo helps normalize a key liver enzyme (alkaline phosphatase) and reduces itching.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Fenofibrate (a drug to lower fats in the blood) and ursodeoxycholic acid (a bile acid drug)
What this could lead to: If it works, this combination could offer a better way to control primary biliary cholangitis, potentially slowing liver damage and easing symptoms like itching.
What could go wrong: This is a mid-stage trial with 184 people, so results may not apply to everyone. Fenofibrate can cause side effects like muscle pain or liver issues, and the added benefit over standard care is uncertain.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

primary biliary cholangitis

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

PRIMARY BILIARY CHOLANGITIS

Contacts and locations

Locations

Jiangsu Province Hospital

Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital

Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
Nanjing Second Hospital

Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
Peking Union Medical College Hospital

Beijing, China
Shengjing Hospital Affiliated to China Medical University

Shenyang, Liaoning, China
Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital

Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University

Kunming, Yunnan, China
The second hospital of Lanzhou University

Lanzhou, Gansu, China
Xijing Hospital

Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
Yan'an University Affiliated Hospital

Yan’an, Shanxxi, China

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