Elevated Serum IgG4 Concentration in Patients with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis

Abstract

A small proportion of PSC patients had elevated serum IgG4. In these patients parameters of liver disease severity were more pronounced and time to liver transplantation was shorter, suggesting a more severe disease course. It is possible that this subset of patients behaves similarly to autoimmune pancreatitis patients with biliary strictures, and could potentially respond to corticosteroids. Testing PSC patients for IgG4 and treating those with elevated levels with corticosteroids in clinical trials should be considered.