Archive · 24 Dec 2025
New Monoclonal Antibody Shows Promise for Rare Liver Disease
Doctors found a new medicine called nebokitug that might help people with a rare liver disease called PSC.
This disease makes the liver ducts scarred and inflamed, which can be very serious.
The medicine is a special kind of antibody that stops a protein called CCL24, which causes inflammation and scarring.
In a test with 76 patients, the medicine was safe and helped reduce liver damage, especially in people with more advanced disease.
Right now, there's no good treatment for PSC, so this is exciting news for patients who need better options.
The medicine is given through an IV every few weeks, and doctors hope it can improve the lives of people with PSC.
Nebokitug, a monoclonal antibody, showed promise in treating primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) in a Phase 2 trial.
The trial involved 76 patients across five countries and lasted 15 weeks, focusing on safety and effectiveness.
Nebokitug targets the protein CCL24, which is linked to inflammation and scarring in the liver.
Patients with more advanced liver scarring saw improvements in liver stiffness and fibrosis markers compared to placebo.
Currently, there are no FDA-approved therapies for PSC, and liver transplantation may be required in advanced cases.
- Who
- Researchers from the University of California-Davis, led by Christopher Bowlus, and patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)
- What
- A Phase 2 clinical trial of the monoclonal antibody nebokitug for treating PSC
- When
- The trial results were published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology
- Where
- The trial was conducted across five countries, with the research team based in the US
- Why
- To test the safety and potential effectiveness of nebokitug in reducing fibrosis and inflammation in PSC patients
- Disease
- Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)
- Treatment
- Nebokitug (monoclonal antibody)
- Target Protein
- CCL24
- Trial Phase
- Phase 2
- Trial Duration
- 15 weeks
- Trial Participants
- 76 patients across five countries
- Key Findings
- Reduced fibrosis and inflammation in advanced cases
- Current Treatment Status
- No FDA-approved therapies; liver transplant may be needed in advanced cases