Chemistry:Obeticholic acid

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Short description: Chemical compound

Obeticholic acid
Clinical data
Trade namesOcaliva
Other names6α-ethyl-chenodeoxycholic acid; INT-747
AHFS/Drugs.comMonograph
MedlinePlusa616033
License data
Pregnancy
category
  • AU: B1
Routes of
administration
By mouth
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
Identifiers
CAS Number
PubChem CID
IUPHAR/BPS
DrugBank
ChemSpider
UNII
KEGG
ChEBI
ChEMBL
Chemical and physical data
FormulaC26H44O4
Molar mass420.634 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)
Melting point108–110 °C (226–230 °F) [3]

Obeticholic acid (OCA), sold under the brand name Ocaliva, is a semi-synthetic bile acid analogue which has the chemical structure 6α-ethyl-chenodeoxycholic acid. It is used as a medication used to treat primary biliary cholangitis. Intercept Pharmaceuticals Inc. hold the worldwide rights to develop OCA outside Japan and China, where it is licensed to Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma.[4]

Invention and development

The natural bile acid chenodeoxycholic acid was identified in 1999 as the most active physiological ligand for the farnesoid X receptor (FXR), which is involved in many physiological and pathological processes. A series of alkylated bile acid analogues were designed, studied and patented by Roberto Pellicciari and colleagues at the University of Perugia, with 6α-ethyl-chenodeoxycholic acid emerging as the most highly potent FXR agonist.[5] FXR-dependent processes in liver and intestine were proposed as therapeutic targets in human diseases.[6] Obeticholic acid is the first FXR agonist to be used in human drug studies.

The FDA has flagged cases of serious liver injury associated with the use of obeticholic acid.[7] The agency stated that Intercept Pharmaceuticals’ liver disease medication, Ocaliva (obeticholic acid), is under scrutiny for causing liver damage in patients without advanced scarring.[8] This follows the FDA’s 2021 decision to restrict the drug’s use in patients with advanced cirrhosis. On Thursday, the FDA revealed its findings of severe liver injury in individuals treated for primary biliary cholangitis based on post-market clinical trial data.[9]

Clinical studies

Obeticholic acid is undergoing[when?] development in phase II and III studies for specific liver and gastrointestinal conditions.[10] The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved obeticholic acid on 27 May 2016, for the treatment of primary biliary cholangitis. It was approved as an orphan drug based on its reduction in the level of the biomarker alkaline phosphatase as a surrogate endpoint for clinical benefit.[11] It is indicated for the treatment of primary biliary cholangitis in combination with ursodeoxycholic acid in adults with an inadequate response to UDCA, or as monotherapy in adults unable to tolerate UDCA.[12] Additional studies are being required to prove its clinical benefit.[13]

Primary biliary cholangitis

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), also known as primary biliary cirrhosis, is an auto-immune, inflammatory liver disease which produces bile duct injury, fibrosis, cholestasis and eventual cirrhosis.[14] It is much more common in women than men and can cause jaundice, itching (pruritus) and fatigue. Ursodeoxycholic acid therapy is beneficial, but the disease often progresses and may require liver transplantation.[15] Animal studies suggested that treatment with FXR agonists should be beneficial in cholestatic diseases such as PBC.[16] OCA at doses between 10 mg and 50 mg was shown to provide significant biochemical benefit, but pruritus was more frequent with higher doses.[17][18] The results of a randomized, double-blind phase III study of OCA, 5 mg or 10 mg, compared to placebo (POISE) were presented in April 2014, and showed that the drug met the trial's primary endpoint of a significant reduction in serum alkaline phosphatase, a biomarker predictive of disease progression, liver transplantation or death.[19]

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis is a common cause of abnormal liver function with histological features of fatty liver, inflammation and fibrosis. It may progress to cirrhosis and is becoming an increasing indication for liver transplantation. It is increasing in prevalence. OCA is proposed to treat NASH.[20] A phase II trial published in 2013, showed that administration of OCA at 25 mg or 50 mg daily for six weeks reduced markers of liver inflammation and fibrosis and increased insulin sensitivity.[21]

The Farnesoid X Receptor Ligand Obeticholic Acid in Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Treatment (FLINT) trial, sponsored by NIDDK, was halted early in January 2014, after about half of the 283 subjects had completed the study, when a planned interim analysis showed that a) the primary endpoint had been met and b) lipid abnormalities were detected and arose safety concerns. Treatment with OCA (25 mg/day for 72 weeks) resulted in a highly statistically significant improvement in the primary histological endpoint, defined as a decrease in the NAFLD Activity Score of at least two points, with no worsening of fibrosis. 45% (50 of 110) of the treated group had this improvement compared with 21% (23 of 109) of the placebo-treated controls.[22] However concerns about longterm safety issues such as increased cholesterol and adverse cardiovascular events may warrant the concomitant use of statins in OCA-treated patients.[23]

In 2023, a FDA panel voted against approval of obeticholic acid for NASH, citing a lack of evidence that the benefits of the drug outweighed the risks.[24][25]

Portal hypertension

Animal studies suggest that OCA improves intrahepatic vascular resistance and so may be of therapeutic benefit in portal hypertension.[26] An open label phase IIa clinical study is under way.[when?][citation needed]

Bile acid diarrhea

Bile acid diarrhea (also called bile acid malabsorption) can be secondary to Crohn's disease or be a primary condition. Reduced median levels of FGF19, an ileal hormone that regulates increased hepatic bile acid synthesis, have been found in this condition.[27] FGF19 is potently stimulated by bile acids and especially by OCA.[28] A proof of concept study of OCA (25 mg/d) has shown clinical and biochemical benefit.[29]

Society and culture

In June 2024, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use of the European Medicines Agency concluded its review of the medicine Ocaliva (obeticholic acid) and recommended that the medicine's marketing authorization be revoked, because its benefits are no longer considered to outweigh its risks.[2][30][31] Ocaliva is used to treat adults with primary biliary cholangitis, an autoimmune condition that causes gradual destruction of the bile ducts in the liver, which can lead to liver failure and increase the risk of liver cancer.[30]

Research

A systematic review and meta-analysis of obeticholic acid, published in 2024, found that its effects on lipid parameters and its other adverse effects warrant further investigation.[32]

References

  1. "Liver disease". 9 May 2018. https://www.canada.ca/en/services/health/drug-health-products/drug-medical-device-highlights-2017/approved-drugs/liver-disease.html. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 "Ocaliva EPAR". 27 July 2010. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/ocaliva. 
  3. "Extending SAR of bile acids as FXR ligands: discovery of 23-N-(carbocinnamyloxy)-3α,7α-dihydroxy-6α-ethyl-24-nor-5β-cholan-23-amine". Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry 19 (8): 2650–2658. April 2011. doi:10.1016/j.bmc.2011.03.004. PMID 21459580. 
  4. "A $4 Billion Surprise for 45-Person Biotech". The Wall Street Journal. https://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304347904579310212798133916. 
  5. "6alpha-ethyl-chenodeoxycholic acid (6-ECDCA), a potent and selective FXR agonist endowed with anticholestatic activity". Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 45 (17): 3569–3572. August 2002. doi:10.1021/jm025529g. PMID 12166927. 
  6. "Role of FXR in regulating bile acid homeostasis and relevance for human diseases". Current Drug Targets. Immune, Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders 5 (3): 289–303. September 2005. doi:10.2174/1568008054863781. PMID 16178789. 
  7. "Intercept's Troubled Drug Ocaliva Linked to 'Serious Liver Injury': FDA" (in en-US). 2024-12-13. https://www.biospace.com/drug-development/intercepts-troubled-drug-ocaliva-linked-to-serious-liver-injury-fda. 
  8. "Ocaliva (obeticholic acid) by Intercept Pharmaceuticals: Drug Safety Communication - Serious Liver Injury Being Observed in Patients without Cirrhosis" (in en). FDA. 2024-12-12. https://www.fda.gov/safety/medical-product-safety-information/ocaliva-obeticholic-acid-intercept-pharmaceuticals-drug-safety-communication-serious-liver-injury. 
  9. "Serious liver injury being observed in patients without cirrhosis taking Ocaliva (obeticholic acid) to treat primary biliary cholangitis" (in en). FDA. 2024-12-12. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/serious-liver-injury-being-observed-patients-without-cirrhosis-taking-ocaliva-obeticholic-acid-treat. 
  10. "ClinicalTrials.gov". http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term=obeticholic+acid. 
  11. "FDA Approves Ocaliva for Rare, Chronic Liver Disease" (Press release). U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 31 May 2016. Archived from the original on 10 November 2016. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  12. "Ocaliva- obeticholic acid tablet, film coated". https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=cdfbe0cd-eb15-45a1-ac17-531bcda21aec. 
  13. "Letter from Food and Drug Administration to Intercept Pharmaceuticals". U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/appletter/2016/207999Orig1s000ltr.pdf. 
  14. "Cirrhosis". 28 September 2020. https://www.lecturio.com/concepts/cirrhosis/. 
  15. "The immunobiology and pathophysiology of primary biliary cirrhosis". Annual Review of Pathology 8: 303–330. January 2013. doi:10.1146/annurev-pathol-020712-164014. PMID 23347352. 
  16. "Farnesoid X receptor agonists for primary biliary cirrhosis". Current Opinion in Gastroenterology 27 (3): 285–288. May 2011. doi:10.1097/MOG.0b013e32834452c8. PMID 21297469. 
  17. "Farnesoid X receptor agonist for the treatment of liver and metabolic disorders: focus on 6-ethyl-CDCA". Mini Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry 11 (9): 753–762. August 2011. doi:10.2174/138955711796355258. PMID 21707532. 
  18. "Efficacy of obeticholic acid in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis and inadequate response to ursodeoxycholic acid". Gastroenterology 148 (4): 751–61.e8. April 2015. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2014.12.005. PMID 25500425. 
  19. "Press release: Intercept Announces Positive Pivotal Phase 3 POISE Trial Results". Intercept Pharma. http://ir.interceptpharma.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=833072. 
  20. "Farnesoid X receptor targeting to treat nonalcoholic steatohepatitis". Drug Discovery Today 17 (17–18): 988–997. September 2012. doi:10.1016/j.drudis.2012.05.012. PMID 22652341. 
  21. "Efficacy and safety of the farnesoid X receptor agonist obeticholic acid in patients with type 2 diabetes and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease". Gastroenterology 145 (3): 574–82.e1. September 2013. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2013.05.042. PMID 23727264. 
  22. "Farnesoid X nuclear receptor ligand obeticholic acid for non-cirrhotic, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (FLINT): a multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled trial". Lancet 385 (9972): 956–965. March 2015. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(14)61933-4. PMID 25468160. 
  23. "Intercept Pharma, Government Scientists Spar over Negative Safety of Liver Drug, Emails Show". TheStreet. 20 May 2014. http://www.thestreet.com/story/12714549/1/intercept-pharma-government-scientists-spar-over-negative-safety-of-liver-drug-emails-show.html?puc=yahoo&cm_ven=YAHOO. 
  24. "Negative FDA AdCom vote for Intercept's obeticholic acid in NASH". Pharmaceutical Technology. 1 June 2023. https://www.pharmaceutical-technology.com/comment/negative-fda-intercept-obeticholic-acid/?cf-view. 
  25. "'Unfavorable benefit-risk': FDA panel votes against obeticholic acid approval for NASH" (in en). https://www.healio.com/news/gastroenterology/20230519/unfavorable-benefitrisk-fda-panel-votes-against-obeticholic-acid-approval-for-nash. 
  26. "Obeticholic acid, a farnesoid X receptor agonist, improves portal hypertension by two distinct pathways in cirrhotic rats". Hepatology 59 (6): 2286–2298. June 2014. doi:10.1002/hep.26939. PMID 24259407. 
  27. "A new mechanism for bile acid diarrhea: defective feedback inhibition of bile acid biosynthesis". Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology 7 (11): 1189–1194. November 2009. doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2009.04.024. PMID 19426836. 
  28. "Potent stimulation of fibroblast growth factor 19 expression in the human ileum by bile acids". American Journal of Physiology. Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology 304 (10): G940–G948. May 2013. doi:10.1152/ajpgi.00398.2012. PMID 23518683. 
  29. "The response of patients with bile acid diarrhoea to the farnesoid X receptor agonist obeticholic acid". Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics 41 (1): 54–64. January 2015. doi:10.1111/apt.12999. PMID 25329562. 
  30. 30.0 30.1 "EMA recommends revoking conditional marketing authorisation for Ocaliva". European Medicines Agency. 28 June 2024. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/news/ema-recommends-revoking-conditional-marketing-authorisation-ocaliva. 
  31. "Meeting highlights from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) 24-27 June 2024". 28 June 2024. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/news/meeting-highlights-committee-medicinal-products-human-use-chmp-24-27-june-2024. 
  32. "Role of Obeticholic Acid, a Farnesoid X Receptor Agonist, in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis". TouchREVIEWS in Endocrinology 20 (2): 54–61. October 2024. doi:10.17925/EE.2024.20.2.8. PMID 39526049.