Research Article Details
Article ID: | A08327 |
PMID: | 32151660 |
Source: | Metabolism |
Title: | Current and emerging pharmacological options for the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. |
Abstract: | Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a highly prevalent disease and important unmet medical need. Current guidelines recommend, under specific restrictions, pioglitazone or vitamin E in patients with NASH and significant fibrosis, but the use of both remains off-label. We summarize evidence on medications for the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), since NASH has been mainly associated with higher morbidity and mortality. Some of these medications are currently in phase 3 clinical trials, including obeticholic acid (a farnesoid X receptor agonist), elafibranor (a peroxisome proliferator activated receptor [PPAR]-α/δ dual agonist), cenicriviroc (a CC chemokine receptor antagonist), MSDC-0602 K (a PPAR sparing modulator), selonsertib (an apoptosis signal-regulating kinase-1 inhibitor) and resmetirom (a thyroid hormone receptor agonist). A significant research effort is also targeting PPARs and selective PPAR modulators, including INT131 and pemafibrate, with the expectation that novel drugs may have beneficial effects similar to those of pioglitazone, but without the associated adverse effects. Whether these and other medications could offer tangible therapeutic benefits, alone or in combination, apparently on a background of lifestyle modification, i.e. exercise and a healthy dietary pattern (e.g. Mediterranean diet) remain to be proven. In conclusion, major advances are expected for the treatment of NASH. |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.metabol.2020.154203 |

Strategy ID | Therapy Strategy | Synonyms | Therapy Targets | Therapy Drugs | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
S08 | Lifestyle measures | Lifestyle intervention; weight loss; diet adaptation; dietary interventions; lifestyle modifications; Exercise | -- | -- | Details |
S03 | Anti-fibrosis | fibrosis | Angiotensin Receptor Blocker (ARB); CCR2/CCR5 antagonist; Thyroid receptor β agonist; PEGylated human FGF21 analogue; Monoclonal antibody to lysyl oxidase-like 2 (LOXL2); Galectin-3 inhibitor; FGF19 variant | Losartan; Cenicriviroc; VK-2809; MGL-3196; Pegbelfermin; Simtuzumab; GR-MD-02; NGM282 | Details |
S13 | Anti-apoptosis | hepatocyte apoptosis; hepatic autophagy; apoptosis | Pan-caspase inhibitor | Emricasan | Details |
Target ID | Target Name | GENE | Action | Class | UniProtKB ID | Entry Name |
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Diseases ID | DO ID | Disease Name | Definition | Class |
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Drug ID | Drug Name | Type | DrugBank ID | Targets | Category | Latest Progress | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
D579 | Emfilermin | Miscellany | -- | adipocytes | Enhance lipid metabolism | Under investigation | Details |
D068 | Cenicriviroc | Chemical drug | DB11758 | CCR2 inhibitor; CCR5 inhibitor | Anti-fibrosis | Failed in clinical trials | Details |
D388 | Vitamin E | Supplement | DB00163 | NR1I2; ALOX5; DGKA | Anti-inflammatory | Under clinical trials | Details |
D326 | Selonsertib | Chemical drug | DB14916 | MAP3K5 inhibitor; ASK1 inhibitor | Anti-oxidative stress; Anticancer agent | Failed in clinical trials | Details |
D328 | Serine | Chemical drug | DB00133 | SRR | Improve insulin resistance | Under clinical trials | Details |
D265 | Pemafibrate | Chemical drug | DB15212 | PPARA modulator | Anti-inflammatory | Under clinical trials | Details |
D300 | Resmetirom | Chemical drug | DB12914 | THRB agonist | Anti-fibrosis | Advanced in clinical trials | Details |
D366 | Thiazolidinediones | Chemical drug | DB11898 | -- | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
D275 | Pioglitazone | Chemical drug | DB01132 | PPARG agonist | Improve insulin resistance | Advanced in clinical trials | Details |
D119 | Elafibranor | Chemical drug | DB05187 | PPARA; PPARD; PPARG | Anti-inflammatory | Failed in clinical trials | Details |
D248 | Obeticholic Acid | Chemical drug | DB05990 | NR1H4 activator; NR1H4 agonist; FXR agonist | Enhance lipid metabolism | Approval rejected | Details |