Autoimmunity

Therapy of Autoimmune Liver Disease

Autoimmune hepatitis is a disease in which the body’s own immune system attacks the liver and causes it to become inflamed. The disease is chronic, meaning it lasts many years. If untreated, it can lead to cirrhosis and liver failure. There are two forms of this disease. Autoimmune hepatitis is characteristically responsive to corticosteroids, often used in combination with azathioprine to obtain a steroid-sparing effect. Therefore, autoimmune liver diseases are presently treated by suppression of the immune response.