Using simvastatin to treat liver fibrosis caused by alcohol

Efficacy of Simvastatin in Reducing Liver Fibrosis in Patients With Advanced Fibrosis Due to Alcohol: Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial

This study tests if simvastatin, a cholesterol-lowering medication, can help people with liver damage from alcohol reduce their fibrosis.

Quick facts

• Phase: Phase2; Phase3
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 90 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Fundacion Clinic per a la Recerca Biomédica (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Barcelona)
• Trial ID: NCT04971577 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial evaluates the effectiveness of simvastatin, a medication commonly used to lower cholesterol, in reducing liver fibrosis in patients suffering from advanced fibrosis due to chronic alcohol consumption. The study includes patients aged 18 and older who have been diagnosed with significant liver fibrosis, as determined by biopsy results. Participants will receive a daily dose of 40mg of simvastatin, and their liver health will be monitored throughout the trial to assess any improvements in fibrosis levels.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adults aged 18 and older with chronic alcohol-related liver disease and significant liver fibrosis.

Not a fit: Patients who are currently receiving statins or have severe liver decompensation may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could provide a new therapeutic option for patients with alcoholic liver fibrosis, potentially improving liver function and overall health.

How similar studies have performed: While there have been studies exploring the use of statins in liver diseases, the specific application of simvastatin for alcoholic liver fibrosis is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age ≥ 18 years
2. Chronic alcohol-related liver disease according to international guidelines (EASL, European Association for the Study of the Liver) and with data of significant liver fibrosis obtained in the diagnostic biopsy at the beginning of the study or in the last biopsy of the patient within 6 months prior to randomization. Significant liver fibrosis is defined by a score on the Ishak fibrosis scale of between 3 and 6.
3. Patients in the compensated chronic liver disease phase defined by the absence of clinical decompensations at the time of entering the study, with or without data of portal hypertension.
4. Women of childbearing potential must have a negative urine pregnancy test prior to study enrollment and agree to use highly effective contraceptive methods (combined oral pill, injectable or implanted contraceptive, intrauterine device / hormone delivery system intrauterine) during the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients receiving statins or fibrates.
2. Patients with other etiologies of liver disease in addition to alcohol: hepatitis C, hepatitis B, autoimmune hepatitis, Wilson's disease, or hemochromatosis.
3. Patients in whom hepatitis C has been cured with antivirals in the 2 years prior to inclusion in the study.
4. Patients with a CK elevation of 50% or more above the upper limit of normal at the time of study inclusion.
5. Gastrointestinal bleeding due to portal hypertension within 12 months prior to inclusion in the study.
6. Clinical hepatic encephalopathy, defined as grade II-IV hepatic encephalopathy, in the 12 months prior to inclusion in the study.
7. Patients in need of diuretic treatment in the previous 12 months to control ascites or hydrothorax.
8. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis within 12 months prior to study enrollment.
9. Hepatocellular carcinoma of any stage.
10. Patients with known muscle disease.
11. Patients with previous rhabdomyolysis.
12. Patients being treated with strong CYP3A4 enzyme inhibitors (see section 5.2: Concomitant drugs, not allowed and allowed).
13. Patients being treated with drugs with possible interactions with simvastatin (see section 5.2: Concomitant drugs, not allowed and allowed).
14. Patients with a history of significant extrahepatic disease with poor short-term prognosis, including New York Heart Association Grade III / V congestive heart failure, GOLD COPD\> 2, chronic kidney disease with serum creatinine\> 2mg / dL or under therapy of kidney replacement.
15. Patients with extrahepatic malignancies, including solid tumors and hematologic malignancies.
16. Patients with a history or increased risk of intestinal obstruction.
17. Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
18. Patients included in other clinical trials during the previous month.
19. Patients with mental disabilities, language barriers, poor social support or any other reason considered by the researcher as essential for adequate understanding, cooperation or compliance with the study.
20. Presence of data on alcoholic hepatitis in liver biopsy upon inclusion.
21. Patients with contraindications for statins.
22. Known hypersensitivity to simvastatin.
23. Refusal to sign the informed consent

Where this trial is running

Barcelona

• Jordi Gratacos — Barcelona, Spain (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Gratacos

Conditions Liver Fibrosis; Alcohol Abuse