Low-Dose Oral Methotrexate Versus Colchicine for Primary Biliary Cirrhosis
Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary focused on measuring cirrhosis, gastrointestinal disorders, primary biliary cirrhosis, rare disease
Eligibility Criteria
PROTOCOL ENTRY CRITERIA: --Disease Characteristics-- Biopsy proven primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC); Disproportionate increase in alkaline phosphatase; Positive antimitochondrial antibody test OR Symptoms consistent with PBC, e.g.: pruritus, fatigue, malaise, jaundice, elevated bilirubin No clinically advanced PBC, i.e.: bilirubin greater than 10 mg/dL or albumin less than 2.5 g/dL, determined by 2 analyses 10 weeks apart; bleeding esophageal varices or congestive gastropathy; chronic hepatic encephalopathy; chronic ascites --Prior/Concurrent Therapy-- No concurrent drugs associated with chronic liver disease --Patient Characteristics-- Hematopoietic: WBC at least 2500 Platelets at least 100,000 (unless due to hypersplenism); Hematocrit at least 30% Renal: No renal disease that could cause liver dysfunction Other: No history of alcohol abuse; No other medical illness that might cause liver dysfunction, e.g., severe cardiac failure; No pregnant women