A pilot study to investigate the use of oxpentifylline (pentoxifylline) and thalidomide in portal hypertension secondary to alcoholic cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND

Tumour necrosis factor-alpha is thought to be important in the pathogenesis of portal hypertension. Oxpentifylline (pentoxifylline) and thalidomide inhibit endotoxin-induced tumour necrosis factor-alpha production in vitro.

AIMS

To assess the toxicity of oxpentifylline (pentoxifylline) and thalidomide in cirrhosis and their effect on the hepatic venous pressure gradient and tumour necrosis factor-alpha production.

METHODS

In an open-label pilot study, 20 abstinent patients with stable alcoholic cirrhosis and oesophageal varices were recruited; 12 patients completed haemodynamic measurements before and after treatment with oxpentifylline (pentoxifylline) 1800 mg (n=6) or thalidomide 200 mg (n=6) daily for 2 weeks. Tumour necrosis factor-alpha production was assessed in ex vivo monocyte cultures stimulated with endotoxin.

RESULTS

Thalidomide reduced the hepatic venous pressure gradient from 19.7 mmHg (9.3-23.5 mmHg) to 12.2 mmHg (4.7-19.5 mmHg) (P=0.03) without reducing the hepatic blood flow or altering systemic haemodynamic parameters. Thalidomide reduced ex vivo tumour necrosis factor-alpha production by approximately 50%. Oxpentifylline (pentoxifylline) had no significant effect on any of the parameters measured. Side-effects led to dose reduction or treatment withdrawal in 40% of patients.

CONCLUSION

Thalidomide, but not oxpentifylline (pentoxifylline), reduces the hepatic venous pressure gradient in stable alcoholic cirrhotics, an effect that may be mediated by the inhibition of tumour necrosis factor-alpha production. The role of tumour necrosis factor-alpha inhibitory drugs in the therapy of portal hypertension should be investigated in a randomized controlled trial.