A Deep Dive into CASL/PSC Partners Canada Seeking a Cure Award Recipient Audrey-Anne Lavoie’s Research on PBC and PSC

My name is Audrey-Anne Lavoie, and I am currently pursuing MSc-PhD studies in pharmaceutical sciences at the faculty of pharmacy, Université Laval, Quebec. In the Dr. Olivier Barbier’s lab, our primary research interest focus on the identification of effective pharmacological approaches for the treatment of primary biliary (PBC) and sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), two rare autoimmune liver diseases. These conditions are characterized by the destruction of the bile ducts, leading to a reduced bile flow and consequently to the accumulation of toxins, particularly bile acids (BAs), in the liver.

Due to their detergent-like nature, BA are highly cytotoxic, and their accumulation can trigger chronic inflammation, which in turn leads to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and eventually the development of liver cancers, such as hepatocarcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma, which are more frequent in PBC and PSC patients. The reduction of toxic BA in liver cells is thus an important pharmacological target for the treatment of these diseases. In this context, my research project aims to explore the properties of Pro-Resolving Mediators (SPMs), derived from omega-3 fatty acids. Specifically, we focus on protecting DX (PDX), a bioactive derivative of the omega-3 fatty acid DHA.

So far, our in vitro analyses indicate that PDX shows great promise as both an efficient inhibitor of BA synthesis as well as an anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic agent. We expect that future in vivo investigations will ascertain the therapeutic potential of this compounds and by so confirm its ability to slow down the progression of PBC and PSC and prevent the onset of liver cancer in patients with these diseases.

This research not only holds great promise for the development of innovative therapeutic options benefiting patients with PBC and PSC but also aligns with my long-term career goals. Indeed, through this project, I will be gaining valuable expertise in liver disease research, which I intend to use as I pursue an academic career in biomedical research. Ultimately, my ambition is to contribute to the advancement of liver disease treatments and to mentor the next generation of researchers in the field.