Disclosures: R. Todd Stravitz – Grant/Research Support: Exalenz Biosciences, LTD William M. Lee – Consulting: Eli Lilly, Novartis; Grant/Research Support: Gilead, Roche, Vertex, BI, Anadys, BMS, merck; Speaking and Teaching: Merck The following people have nothing to disclose: Caitlyn Ellerbe, Valerie Durkalski, Adrian Reuben Objective: Whether the use of Selleck Deforolimus corticosteroids following hepatoportoenterostomy

(HPE) is effective and/or safe in improving clinical endpoints in infants with biliary atresia (BA) is unknown. We conducted the Steroids in Biliary Atresia Randomized Trial (START) to determine whether the addition of high dose corticosteroids is superior to surgical therapy alone. Methods: Subjects were enrolled from 14 US centers participating in the NIDDK-sponsored ChiLDREN Network and randomized to receive I. V. methylprednisolone/oral prednisolone (4 mg/kg/day x 2 wk, 2 mg/kg x 2 wk, followed by a tapering protocol over the next 9 wk) or placebo within 72 hours of HPE. All infants received post-operative care including antibiotic prophylaxis,

ursodeoxycholic acid, fat-soluble vitamins and standardized nutrition according to guidelines developed for the trial, and were followed until 2 years of age. www.selleckchem.com/products/bmn-673.html The primary endpoint was the percent of subjects with serum total bilirubin <1.5 mg/dL with their native liver at 6 months after HPE (improved bile drainage). An intent-to-treat analysis was performed, using multiple logistic regression. Treatment differences in transplantfree survival over the entire period were assessed using a Cox model. Results: 140 BA subjects were randomized (70 per group); 91% achieved the pre-defined study endpoints. Demographics and baseline characteristics were comparable between the two groups: mean age at randomization was 2.3 months, mean total bilirubin prior to HPE was 7.7mg/dL, and 5 subjects

had BASM. Bile drainage was not significantly improved by corticosteroids at 6 months post-HPE (primary endpoint; steroid 58.6% vs placebo 48.6%, adjusted relative risk [RR] [95% CI]: 1.14 [0.83, 1.57], P=0.43), or at 24 months of age (steroid: 49.4% vs placebo: 39.8%, adjusted hazard ratio [HR] [95% CI]: 0.8 [0.5, 1.2], P=0.29). Transplant-free Branched chain aminotransferase survival at 24 months was similar between groups (steroids: 58.7% vs placebo: 59.4%, adjusted HR [95% CI]: 1.0, [0.6, 1.8], P=0.99). There were no significant treatment differences in important safety outcomes: % of subjects with SAEs (steroids 81.4% vs placebo 80%, P=1.0), weight and height Z-scores over the study period (P=0.16 and 0.28, respectively), number of infectious SAEs per patient (RR=1.12, 95% CI [0.86, 1.44], P=0.40), time to first episode of cholangitis (P=0.63), or number of episodes of cholangitis per patient (P=0.64).