The European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) is hosting its 57th International Liver Congress (ILC) 2022 in London, where experts will present and share the latest science on liver diseases. The event aims to enhance awareness, prevention, treatment, and management of liver diseases globally.
The Position Paper provides recommendations for clinicians treating patients with chronic liver diseases during the pandemic, including prioritizing outpatient care and reducing direct exposure to COVID-19. The paper aims to support clinicians in providing best possible care despite limited healthcare resources.
The prevalence of NAFLD is rising due to a preventable epidemic, with over half of adults and one third of children classified as overweight or obese. The condition is linked to lack of physical activity, excess calorie intake, and sugary drinks.
A new six-year single-center study found a web-based program to be an effective approach to manage lifestyle changes in patients with NAFLD, comparable to group-based interventions. The web program reduced weight loss and improved liver health, suggesting counseling as a key therapeutic option until drugs are approved.
Sebelipase alfa and two investigational RNAi therapeutics, givosiran and ARO-AAT, demonstrate positive findings in treating lysosomal acid lipase deficiency and acute intermittent porphyria. Long-term tolerability and improvements in liver injury markers are observed.
The number of people receiving HCV cure is increasing with new, highly effective treatments available; simplification of treatment delivery can accelerate global scale-up. Cure leads to reductions in liver-related deaths and cancer risk, as well as improvements in comorbidities.
A single treatment of fecal microbiota transplantation produces sustained clinical and cognitive improvements in patients with liver cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy. The study showed significant reductions in HE episodes and hospitalizations, as well as improvements in cognitive function over 1 year.
NGM282, an engineered analogue of FGF19, inhibits bile acid synthesis and decreases markers of hepatic inflammation in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis. Significant reductions in serum levels of ALT and AST were observed in the NGM282 3 mg/day treatment group.
The study confirms that long-term OCA treatment leads to reversal or stabilization of fibrosis/cirrhosis in patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) who have had an incomplete response to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). The majority of patients improved or maintained their histological stage, while two patients deteriorated.
A new study has reported a good correlation between an automated image analysis system and an expert reviewer for the identification of key markers of NASH disease activity in a pre-clinical model. The study used deep-learning algorithms applied to open-source pathology software (QuPath1) to accurately identify cell histology patterns ...
Two nationwide hepatitis C elimination programs in Georgia and Iceland have reported high levels of engagement, initiation of direct-acting antiviral agents, and cure among patients chronically infected with HCV. In Georgia, over 90% of diagnosed individuals were cured, while in Iceland, the prevalence of active HCV infection among peo...
A real-world study found that patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection who achieve a sustained virological response (SVR) after direct-acting antiviral agent (DAA) treatment have lower all-cause mortality. Achieving SVR reduced mortality from both liver-related and unrelated causes at all stages of disease.
A nationwide US study confirms a significant decrease in liver transplant probabilities for HCC patients between 2005-2007 and 2014-2016. Patients with Medicaid insurance were less likely to receive transplants than those with private/commercial insurance.
A study found that budesonide add-on therapy improves biochemical markers of disease activity but fails to improve liver histology in high-risk patients with primary biliary cholangitis. Budesonide was shown to produce clinically meaningful improvements in serum alkaline phosphatase levels.
The percentage of liver transplants performed due to HCV infection has more than halved since the introduction of direct-acting antiviral drugs. Post-transplant survival rates among those with HCV infection are now similar to those with HBV infection, reaching an all-time high.
A study analyzed outcomes and costs for German patients with NAFLD/NASH who developed compensated cirrhosis, finding significant increases in comorbidities, mortality, and healthcare costs. The study highlights the need for new treatment options to improve patient outcomes.
Patients with NAFLD achieved similar weight loss and normalized liver enzymes through a web-based lifestyle modification programme. The study suggested that the degree of weight loss was likely to have resulted in fibrosis regression.
The SORAMIC study found no overall survival benefit of adding selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) to sorafenib for patients with unresectable primary liver cancer. However, subgroup analyses suggested possible survival benefits in younger patients and those with certain cirrhosis characteristics.
Phase 2 studies of tropifexor and seladelpar demonstrate potent anti-cholestatic and anti-inflammatory activity without increasing pruritus. Tropifexor and seladelpar are being explored as potential treatments for patients with primary biliary cholangitis, a progressive liver disease.
A Swedish study found that statins significantly reduce the risk of death, liver transplantation, and variceal bleeding in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis. The study also showed a reduced risk of these outcomes in patients receiving azathioprine but not ursodeoxycholic acid.
Two real-world studies from Italy and Germany report high rates of viral suppression and favourable safety profiles for glecaprevir/pibrentasvir in patients with chronic HCV infection. The treatment was found to be effective across a range of different patient types, with over 98% achieving sustained virological response.
A Canadian study found that biannual ultrasound screening for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with hepatitis C-related liver cirrhosis after achieving a sustained virological response (SVR) to direct-acting antiviral agents is likely to be cost-effective. However, surveillance is unlikely to be cost-effective in patients wit...
Researchers found that hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections can be fatal in immunocompromised individuals and are linked to blood-borne transmission, highlighting the importance of HEV RNA screening of all blood products destined for transplant or immunosuppressed patients. The studies also show that HEV infection has been increasing ste...
The HEPAHEALTH Project Report reveals a significant increase in liver disease mortality in Europe and Central Asia, driven by high alcohol consumption and obesity rates. The report emphasizes the need for effective prevention strategies to mitigate this growing health concern.
A global study found that 34% of bacterial infections in patients with cirrhosis across the world are multi-drug resistant, with significant regional differences. The risk of developing a multi-drug-resistant infection was higher in Asia, particularly India, and among patients who had recently received antibiotics.
A Mediterranean-style diet rich in vegetables, fermented milk products, and coffee has been shown to improve gut microbial diversity and reduce hospitalization risk in patients with liver cirrhosis. The study found that Turkish individuals had higher microbial diversity compared to US participants.
Researchers developed personalized T cell adoptive immunotherapy for patients with HBV-related HCC, resulting in an objective positive response with volumetric reduction of lung lesions and no new lesions detected. The therapy showed promise with no therapy-related adverse events.
A prospective study found that linkage to care specialists can facilitate rapid access to hepatitis C treatment, with 60% of patients initiated on treatment. The study highlights the importance of increasing HCV diagnosis and treatment to meet WHO goals by 2030.
A study found that the Italian outbreak is predominantly caused by strains linked to recent European outbreaks, highlighting the risk of acute HAV infection via sexual transmission in high-risk groups like MSM. The study also emphasizes the importance of hepatitis A vaccine coverage and awareness campaigns for prevention.
A large-scale study in Punjab, India found that mass treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection using decentralized care and generic DAAs resulted in high cure rates among almost 20,000 individuals. The study validated the efficacy and safety of this approach, with over 90% of patients achieving sustained virological response.
DAAs therapy in Scotland significantly reduced HCV-related decompensated cirrhosis presentations, with a 29-39% reduction. Early treatment initiation also showed lower lifetime costs and quality-adjusted life years.
Alcoholic liver disease has become the leading cause of liver transplantation in the US, surpassing hepatitis C infection, according to two studies. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis is also on the rise, ranking second as a cause of liver transplantation due to chronic liver disease.
The animated short film aims to raise public awareness about the challenges of liver failure and liver cirrhosis. The film highlights the DIALIVE technology, a novel liver dialysis device undergoing clinical trials to assess its safety and efficacy.
Researchers are developing new diagnostic tests and imaging techniques to diagnose NAFLD severity, predict disease progression, and monitor changes. The €34 million LITMUS project brings together clinicians, scientists, and pharmaceutical companies to create more accurate blood tests and treatments.
A first patient has been successfully treated with the DIALIVE system, a novel liver dialysis device designed to remove toxins that trigger inflammation in liver failure patients. The trial aims to establish the device's safety and performance in 24 patients across Europe, with plans for an additional study enrolling over 100 patients.
The EASL Editorial raises concerns about the Cochrane Review's conclusions on Direct Acting Antivirals (DAAs) for Chronic Hepatitis C (HCV), citing a lack of understanding of the disease and its long natural history. Recent studies have shown improvement in quality of life with DAA therapy, highlighting the need for more comprehensive ...
The ANSWER study shows that long-term administration of human albumin improves survival rate in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. Treatment also enhances ascites management, quality of life, and reduces severe complications and hospitalization.
A new study reveals a strong association between colder climates and higher rates of alcoholic cirrhosis, a disease caused by excessive drinking. The research found that countries with lower temperatures and less sunshine had higher rates of alcohol-attributable liver cirrhosis.
A study demonstrated that A4250 reduced levels of blood bile acids and improved pruritus in 74% of patients with cholestatic liver diseases. The therapy was well-tolerated, with mostly mild side effects.
A study presented at ILC 2017 found that bezafibrate plus ursodeoxycholic acid improved symptoms, liver function tests, and surrogate markers of the disease in patients with primary biliary cholangitis. The combination therapy was well-tolerated and normalised prognostic biochemical parameters.
A Finnish study found that central obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes, lipid abnormalities, and high alcohol consumption are the strongest predictors of severe liver disease. Among individuals who consume excessive amounts of alcohol, only diabetes is a significant predictor.
The SARAH trial found SIRT resulted in higher tumor response rates and controlled tumor progression compared to sorafenib, with better side-effect profiles and quality of life scores. However, it did not increase overall survival in HCC patients.
Research suggests that a diet rich in animal protein, but not fructose, is linked to NAFLD in overweight people. The study found significant associations between macronutrients and NAFLD predominantly in overweight individuals.
A new study found that 99% of children aged six to 11 with hepatitis C achieved undetectable levels of HCV-RNA 12 weeks after treatment, demonstrating the effectiveness and safety of a direct-acting antiviral regimen. The oral therapy was well-tolerated and did not cause serious adverse events.
A study found that 0.11% of blood donations from Germany tested positive for hepatitis E virus RNA, a significant increase on previous reports. The discovery highlights the risk of transmission to immunocompromised individuals and calls for routine screening at blood donation centers.
The ALIVER project aims to develop a novel liver dialysis machine, DIALIVE, which targets systemic inflammation and restores albumin function. The machine has shown promising results in pre-clinical tests and will be tested in clinical settings across Europe.
The CheckMate 040 study found that nivolumab produces durable responses with long-term survival rates of up to 59.9% in sorafenib-experienced patients with advanced HCC, regardless of Hepatitis B or C infection status.
A Phase 3 study demonstrates that the co-formulation of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir results in a 95% sustained virologic response rate at 12 weeks post treatment in patients with Hepatitis C virus genotype 3. The investigational treatment was well-tolerated and showed comparable safety to sofosbuvir and daclatasvir.
A study found that faecal transplantation improved cognitive impairment in patients with hepatic encephalopathy, a serious condition caused by severe liver disease. The treatment significantly reduced hospitalisations compared to standard care treatment.
A new European study demonstrated that patients with chronic HCV and severe liver damage can be safely removed from the liver transplant list after successful direct-acting antiviral therapy. The study showed a favorable outcome over a year later, with only one patient dying from rapidly progressing hepatocellular carcinoma.