Serum miRNA-122 is an independent biomarker of survival in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis

Background & Aims: The disease course of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is variable and difficult to predict. MicroRNA-122 (miR-122) is associated with various hepatic disorders. We investigated the value of miR-122 as a biomarker for the disease course of PSC. Methods: We determined serum miR-122 levels in a long-term, prospective cohort of 114 PSC patients and a second validation cohort. Based on miR-122 levels, PSC patients were assigned to low or high level miR-122 groups. Results: Kaplan-Meier analysis showed significantly impaired actuarial transplant-free survival for PSC patients in the low miR-122…