FAQ's

New Therapeutic Options and Management Strategies

At the Allied Digestive Health Annual Conference, Dr. Sonal Kumar, hepatologist at Weill Cornell Medicine, shares the latest updates in diagnosing and managing Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC). This expert-led symposium emphasized the importance of early assessment—especially in high-risk patients—and a paradigm shift toward normalization of alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin as primary treatment goals. Dr. Kumar highlights why traditional “wait one year” treatment algorithms are outdated, explaining how response to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) can be determined within six to nine months, allowing for earlier intervention with second-line therapies.

This year marks a milestone in PBC care with the approval of two new PPAR agonists—elafibranor and seladelpar—offering improved biochemical response rates and, for the first time, targeted symptom relief for pruritus. The discussion also covered the critical need to screen all at-risk populations, including males, who are often diagnosed at later stages with poorer outcomes. Whether you are a hepatology specialist, gastroenterologist, or primary care provider, this session delivers essential insights into modern PBC management, updated treatment goals, and breakthrough therapies reshaping patient care.