Current and Emerging Treatments for Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis

Introduction
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is highly prevalent globally, and its progressive form, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), has become a leading cause of cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver transplantation. Unfortunately, there remains an urgent unmet need for regulatory approved NASH treatments.

Purpose of Review
This review focuses on the current NASH treatment recommendations and critically discusses investigational agents in clinical development.

Recent Findings
Most NASH clinical trials are currently in early phase. Many later phase drugs have already failed to meet key endpoints. Obeticholic acid, elafibranor, cenicriviroc, and resmetirom are currently furthest along in the phase 3 development phase.

Summary
The pursuit to find a treatment for NASH is vital. If one or more agents in late-stage development prove effective, a commercially available medication will help augment the benefits of lifestyle interventions.