Inhibition of 11β‐Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase‐1 with AZD4017 in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, phase II study

AIM: To evaluate whether short‐term treatment with a selective 11β‐Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase‐1 (11β‐HSD1) inhibitor, AZD4017, would block hepatic cortisol production and thereby decrease hepatic fat in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)/nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), with or without type 2 diabetes (T2D). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, phase 2 study conducted at two sites. Key inclusion criteria were the presence of NAFLD or NASH on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or recent biopsy positive for NASH. Enrolled patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to AZD4017 or placebo for 12 weeks. Primary outcomes were between‐group differences in mean change from baseline to week 12 in liver fat fraction (LFF) and conversion of (13)C cortisone to (13)C cortisol in the liver. RESULTS: A total of 93 patients were randomized; 85 patients completed treatment. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) change in LFF was −0.667 (5.246) and 0.139 (4.323) in the AZD4017 and placebo groups (P = 0.441). For patients with NASH and T2D, the mean (SD) change in LFF was significantly improved in the AZD4017 versus the placebo group (−1.087 [5.374] vs. 1.675 [3.318]; P = 0.033). Conversion of (13)C cortisone to (13)C cortisol was blocked in all patients in the AZD4017 group. There were no significant between‐group differences (AZD4017 vs. placebo) in changes in fibrosis, weight, levels of liver enzymes or lipids, or insulin sensitivity. CONCLUSION: Although the study did not meet one of the primary outcomes, AZD4017 blocked the conversion of (13)C cortisone to (13)C cortisol in the liver in all patients who received the drug. In patients with NASH and T2D, AZD4017 improved liver steatosis versus placebo.