New drug combo shows promise for rare liver disease in early trial
NCT ID NCT06591455
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Aug 06, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This early-phase study tested whether adding fenofibrate to standard treatment (ursodeoxycholic acid) helps people newly diagnosed with primary biliary cholangitis, a chronic liver disease. Thirty adults participated to see if the combination could normalize liver enzyme levels and reduce symptoms like itching and fatigue. The goal is better disease control, not a cure.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Early phase 1
The earliest testing in people: a first look at safety, in a very small group.
- Participants
-
30 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Sep 2024
- Finished
-
Aug 2025
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 to 75 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
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
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Xijing hospital
Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Spanish databases used to map a rare liver disease
- Can a T-Cell signature unlock the secrets of autoimmune liver disease?
- Can a common cholesterol drug help manage a rare liver disease?
- One pill may tame both itchy skin and stubborn liver disease
- Can a smartwatch help manage a rare liver disease? stanford study investigates
- Can breathing and meditation ease PBC symptoms? new study says maybe.