Unraveling the Mechanisms Underlying Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis Through a Multidisciplinary, Integrative Research Approach

Recruiting now

Conditions studied: Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis

In brief

Background: Primary sclerosing cholangitis is a rare chronic liver disease. It affects the bile ducts of the liver. It can result in bile duct infections, cirrhosis, cancer, and end stage liver disease. Researchers want to learn more about this disease. Objective: To understand the biological causes of primary sclerosing cholangitis. Eligibility: Adults age 18 and older who have primary sclerosing cholangitis. Design: Participants will be screened with a medical history, physical exam, and blood tests. Participants will give blood, saliva, urine, and stool samples. They will have nasal swabs. They will complete surveys. Participants will get an intravenous (IV) catheter. A plastic tube is inserted into an arm vein. Participants will have a colonoscopy. A tube with a video camera at the end is inserted into the rectum. Participants will have an upper endoscopy. A scope with a light and camera at its tip is used to look inside the upper digestive tract. Participants will have a liver biopsy, entering through the chest wall or a neck vein. Blood is drawn from a blood vessel that carries blood to the liver. A liver tissue sample is taken. Participants will have magnetic resonance imaging or spectroscopy. They will get a contrast agent through an IV. Participants may have an optional bone marrow aspiration. A large needle is inserted into the hip to withdraw marrow. Participants will have a liver ultrasound. Participants will complete a 3-day food diary. They will have a nutrition assessment. Participants may give contact details for people who live with them, to also take part in this study. Participation will last for 12 months.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT04685200

Run by

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

People needed

143

Starts

2023-03-31

Expected to finish

2026-10-31

Last updated by the study team

2026-07-21

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 90. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• In order to be eligible to participate in this study, an individual must meet all of the following criteria:
• Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study
• Male or nonpregnant female, greater than or equal to 18 years of age
• Evidence of PSC established by biochemical testing and either MRCP or ERCP. Participant must have evidence of large duct disease on imaging.
• Agreement to adhere to Lifestyle Considerations throughout study duration.

You may not qualify if…

• An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study:
• Pregnant or lactating women or females of child-bearing age not taking measures to prevent pregnancy during the period of study.
• History of clinical, serologic, or histopathologic evidence supporting etiologies of chronic liver disease other than PSC
• History of liver transplantation
• Diagnosis consistent with secondary sclerosing cholangitis (cholelithiasis, bile duct strictures secondary to ischemia, HIV cholangiopathy, etc.).
• Current or past clinical evidence of decompensated liver disease (e.g. ascites, bleeding esophageal varices, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, encephalopathy, etc.).
• History of liver or bile duct lesions concerning for malignancy.
• Ca-19-9 >130 U/microL
• Alpha-fetoprotein level greater than 200 ng/microL.
• Patients with active bacterial, viral, or fungal, systemic or localized infection.
• Unwillingness to refrain from ingesting probiotics during study.
• History of systemic disease not related to PSC that is poorly controlled or associated with declining functional status. Examples include but are not limited to: poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure with eGFR is <60 microl/min/1.73m\^2, chronic
• symptomatic heart failure or severe COPD.
• Patients with history of any gastrointestinal malignancy in the last 3 years prior to enrollment will be excluded. Patients with history of any malignancy in the last 3 years prior to enrollment other than those individuals who had undergone curative surgical therapy and deemed as low risk for recurrence by her/his treating physician would be excluded.
• History of portal vein thrombosis
• Patients with severe allergic reactions to iodine or other contrast, which cannot be controlled by premedication with antihistamines or steroids.
• History of gastric and/or proximal small bowel surgery including bariatric surgery such as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass
• Contraindication to monitored anesthesia care and/or medications that are commonly used for conscious sedation during GI Endoscopy
• Use of anti-coagulant and anti-platelet agents excluding aspirin and NSAIDs
• Contraindications to completing MRCP or MRI
• Absolute neutrophil count below 1000/mm\^3
• Hemoglobin level below 10.0 g/dl
• Platelet count lower than 50,000/mm\^3.
• INR greater than or equal to 1.5, PTT greater thna or equal to 1.3 times control and/or any known history of disease associated with
• increased bleeding diathesis.

Where it is running

• National Institutes of Health Clinical Center — Bethesda, Maryland, United States (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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