Seladelpar: a comprehensive review of its clinical efficacy and safety in the treatment of primary biliary cholangitis

Abstract

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic liver disease leading to liver damage and potentially death. The first-line treatment is ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), but some patients do not respond well. Obeticholic acid (OCA) is a second-line treatment option. Fenofibrate (a predominantly PPAR-α agonist) and bezafibrate (a pan-PPAR agonist) are currently used in clinical practice as anticholestatic agents to improve serum biochemistry in PBC. Seladelpar, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-delta (PPARδ) agonist, has demonstrated potent anti-cholestatic effects in clinical studies. The aim of this analysis was to summarise the data available on efficacy and safety of seladelpar for the treatment of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). We conducted a search in PubMed, Embase and Web of Science for studies on seladelpar until June 1, 2024. The analysis included review articles, randomized controlled trials, cohort studies and case-control studies. Seladelpar is a once daily oral, potent and selective PPAR-δ agonist. Activation of PPAR-δ on hepatocytes and cholangiocytes improves cholestasis by downregulating the rate-limiting enzyme, CYP 7A1, used for bile synthesis, as well as reducing cholesterol synthesis and dietary absorption, leading to a reduction in bile acid pools. In this review, we have summarised the preclinical and clinical data on seladelpar. There is a need for additional phase III studies to provide sufficient clinical evidence for the efficacy and safety of this investigational drug, as current evidence is limited to phase III studies and does not yet prove its worth in a larger population.

Keywords: peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs); primary biliary cholangitis (PBC); seladelpar.