Vogel G. F.: ileal bile-acid transport inhibitor, odevixibat

Dr. Alex Knisely today is talking to Dr. Georg-Friedrich Vogel – call him “Georg” – of the Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, in Austria, where he serves on the paediatric-hepatology wards and conducts research in the department of cell biology. In Vienna this May, at the ESPGHAN annual meeting, he presented observations on the utility of an ileal bile-acid transport inhibitor, odevixibat (those last four letters, i – b – a – t, are acronymic), in a collective of children suffering from cholestasis associated with ATP8B1 mutation (progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis [PFIC], type 1) and from diarrhoea, metabolic acidosis, and allograft steatosis after liver transplantation. Although, as is to be expected in a mixed bag of patients, not all the data for which one might wish are available, Georg’s team have encountered for the most part favourable results. As you proceed in managing your PFIC patients with ATP8B1 disease, and as you consider IBAT- inhibitor therapy, consultations with Georg may be of considerable value – always good to walk behind someone who has broken trail, who can let you know where others have stumbled and where the footing is secure. Not only that, he can help you contribute to filling in those gaps in the collective data, bringing us all forward in our search to help these children and families. A very good example of what ESPGHAN, in facilitating multinational collaboration, is all about! Dr. Vogel´s favourite song: Sgt. Peppers Lonely Heart Club https://open.spotify.com/track/4fUKE8EULjQdHF4zb0M8FO?si=df38f8c6709742df ESPGHAN favourite Songs can be found on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0YIHKjxITLEm9XNyHyypTo