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. 2021 Apr 20;64(7):1461–1479. doi: 10.1007/s00125-021-05442-2

Table 7.

Drugs that target hepatokines or modulate lipid metabolic pathways

Drug Mechanism of action Mode of administration Regulatory status Clinical effect References
Steatosis Fibrosis markers Hepatic enzymes HbA1c Insulin resistance
Hepatokines
 Pegbelfermin (BMS-986036) Long-acting FGF-21 analogue SC Phase III = = [114, 115]
 BIO89–100 PEG FGF-21 analogue SC Phase Ib/IIa NA [116]
 PF-05231023 Long-acting FGF-21 analogue SC Phase II NA NA = = = [117]
 PsTag600-FGF21 Long-acting FGF-21 analogue SC Preclinical NA [118, 119]
 NGM313 MK3655 Activator of β-klotho/ FGF receptor-1c SC once-monthly Phase I NA NA [121]
 Evinacumab (REGN1500) ANGPLT3 inhibitor SC Phase III NA NA = NA NA [123125]
Hepatic lipid modulators
 Aramchol SCD1 inhibitor PO Phase III/IV ↓= = [126, 194]
 MK-8245 SCD1 inhibitor PO Phase II NA NA NA NA [195]
 PF-06835919 KHK inhibitor PO Phase II NA NA [128, 129]
 TVB-2640 FAS inhibitor PO Phase IIa NA = = [130]
 GSK3008356 DGAT-1 inhibitor PO Phase I NA NA NA NA NA [132]
 KR-69232 DGAT-1 inhibitor PO Phase I NA NA NA NA NA [133]
 ION 224 (IONIS DGAT2Rx) DGAT-2 inhibitor PO Phase II NA = = = [131]
 Epeleuton (DS102) Second-generation synthetic n-3 fatty acid derivative of EPA PO Phase II = = [134]
 GS-0976 (firsocostat) ACC inhibitor PO Phase II = = [135, 136]
Thyroid receptor-β agonists
 Resmetirom (MGL-3196) Hepatic thyroid hormone receptor-β agonist PO Phase II/III NA NA [137]
 VK2809 Hepatic thyroid hormone receptor-β agonist PO Phase IIb NA = NA [139]
11β-HSD1 inhibitors
 MK0916 11β-HSD1 inhibitor PO Phase I/II NA NA NA ↓modest [140, 148]
 INCB13739 11β-HSD1 inhibitor PO Phase I/II NA NA NA [141, 142]
 RO5093151 11β-HSD1 inhibitor PO Phase I/II NA [143, 144]
 ASP3662 11β-HSD1 inhibitor PO Phase I/II NA NA NA NA NA [145]
 AZD4017 11β-HSD1 inhibitor PO Phase I/II NA NA NA NA NA [146, 147]
PTP1B inhibitors
 IONIS-PTP-1BRx PTP1B inhibitor SC Phase II NA NA NA [149]

EPA, eicosapentaenoic acid; PEG, pegylated; PO, oral; SC, subcutaneous injection