Methotrexate Therapy for Autoimmune Hepatitis.Haridy J, Nicoll A, Sood S. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2017 Jul 12. [Epub ahead of print]
Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory condition characterized by hepatocellular inflammation, hypergammaglobulinemia, serum autoantibodies, and an association with HLA DR3 and DR4. Immunosuppression and modulation in the form of corticosteroids and azathioprine are accepted first-line therapies, leading to biochemical remission in almost 80% of patients within 3 years. Untreated severe disease inevitably progresses to cirrhosis, with treatment conferring a benefit to survival, histology, and symptoms.