A retrospective review of a UK national HCV database found that over one-third of young people with childhood acquired HCV develop serious long-term liver disease. The study highlights the importance of early detection and treatment to prevent long-term liver damage.
A Phase 2 trial found rituximab not effective in treating fatigue in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) patients, but showed improvements in anaerobic threshold. The study suggests further research on specific types of fatigue may yield more favorable results.
A DAA treatment combination, sofosbuvir/velpatasvir with or without voxilaprevir, shows significant improvements in patient-reported outcomes for patients with HCV and cirrhosis. The overall cure rate is 94% for patients with and without cirrhosis.
A prospective study in patients with cirrhosis found that severe periodontitis strongly predicted higher mortality, mainly due to complications of cirrhosis. The study also showed a strong association between gum disease and risk of death in liver patients.
A multicentre, randomised, controlled study found that long-term oral antibiotic therapy with norfloxacin improved prognosis in patients with life-threatening advanced liver disease. Norfloxacin administration for 6 months was associated with reduced risk of death and infection at 6 months.
A worldwide analysis of over 3,000 patients reveals that those with alcoholic liver disease (ALD) are nearly 12 times more likely to be referred at an advanced stage than early. Early liver disease was defined as liver disease without evidence of advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis.
Recent reimbursement data shows significant variability in access to direct-acting antiviral therapy across European countries, particularly for patients with severe liver fibrosis or substance use. Many countries have restrictions on prescribing by specialists, limiting access to life-saving treatment.
Recent studies present contrasting evidence on DAA therapy's association with liver cancer. A study found a higher recurrence rate of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients who received DAAs, while another found no difference in HCC occurrence or recurrence between DAA and interferon-based therapies.
The updated EASL guidelines provide new definitions of disease phases to guide clinicians on treatment indications. The guidelines also expanded indications for initiating treatment to prevent mother-to-child transmission and offer clear cut recommendations for special patient populations. The main goal of therapy is to improve surviva...
The new Clinical Practice Guidelines define the use of diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive modalities in managing patients with various liver diseases. The guidelines provide a range of generally accepted approaches for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of specific liver diseases.
The partnership will enable pharmaceutical companies to identify compounds most likely to succeed in human clinical trials, shortening the timeline to drug approval. Advanced lipidomic profiling analysis on tissues such as the liver will be made available, enhancing the depth and quality of scientific data.
A new study presents data demonstrating that personalized direct-acting antiviral treatment can eradicate the hepatitis C virus from the body in patients who had previously failed treatment. The study identified effective re-treatment combinations for genotype 1 and 3, achieving SVR12 rates of 90% and 100%, respectively.
A Phase 1 study found that NVR 3-778, a first-in-class HBV capsid assembly inhibitor, is well-tolerated when combined with pegylated interferon. The treatment reduced levels of hepatitis B more than NVR 3-778 alone, with the largest reduction seen in the combination group.
A new study presents Norursodeoxycholic acid as a viable treatment option for patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis, a rare condition characterized by inflammation and scarring in the bile ducts. The treatment significantly reduced levels of serum alkaline phosphatase and had similar rates of adverse events compared to placebo.
A new study finds that generic direct-acting antiviral treatment for Hepatitis C can deliver high sustained virologic response rates comparable to branded treatments, but at a significantly lower price. The results suggest that generic DAAs could support access to treatment in many countries where it is currently unaffordable.
A new study reveals high levels of hepatitis B markers among unvaccinated refugee populations in northern Germany, highlighting a significant public health concern. The research found that nearly one million asylum applications were lodged in Germany last year, with many coming from unstable states where health systems have broken down.
A pilot study found that a direct-acting antiviral treatment over six weeks can effectively cure acute hepatitis C in patients. The treatment resulted in undetectable HCV levels and sustained virologic response after a 12-week follow-up, with side effects including fatigue.
A new study published at The International Liver Congress 2016 found that the diabetes drug sitagliptin was no more effective than placebo in reducing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. However, researchers demonstrated that non-invasive imaging techniques based on MRI were useful for measuring changes in liver fat and fibrosis.
A new study has demonstrated the efficacy of all-oral treatment regimens in adolescents with hepatitis C virus. The study found that 97% of patients achieved sustained virologic response rates after 12 weeks of treatment, suggesting a promising treatment option for this patient group.
ABT-493 and ABT-530 achieved 100% sustained virologic response (SVR12) in cirrhotic patients, while non-cirrhotic patients showed a 97% SVR12 rate after eight weeks. This treatment offers hope for genotype 3 patients with heavily scarred livers.
A new study demonstrates that a build-up of fat around the waist can cause more serious complications than obesity in the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Non-obese patients with a large waist circumference are at risk of NAFLD complications, according to the research. The study highlights the need for addition...
A new study demonstrates that antiviral therapy for immune tolerant Hepatitis B patients prolongs overall survival and reduces the risk of developing liver cancer (HCC) and scarring of the liver (cirrhosis). Nucleos(t)ide analogue treatment significantly lowers HCC and cirrhosis risks.
A new algorithm designed for End-Stage Liver Disease (ESLD) accurately predicted death in 96% of patients and determined which patients would benefit from intensive care unit treatment. The algorithm combines pre-morbid liver function and Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure grade to make predictions.
A new study found a potential link between long-term oral nucleos(t)ide analogue treatment for hepatitis B and an increased risk of colorectal and cervical cancer. Regular screening is recommended to prevent these cancers in patients receiving such treatment. The study analyzed data from 45,299 patients with chronic HBV infection.
The World Health Organization (WHO) commended innovative hepatitis testing projects from five countries at The International Liver Congress. These projects showcased new testing models for hepatitis in primary care, community settings, and prisons, highlighting the need to scale up hepatitis testing globally.
Scientists have discovered a potential method for battling obesity by stimulating brown fat in genetically predisposed mice, which may help treat metabolic syndrome and its related health issues. The study found that increasing heat production in the fatty tissue improved weight management and glucose control.
A recent study re-affirms the use of interferon alpha as an effective treatment for patients with Hepatitis delta virus, a severe form of viral hepatitis. The research found that 35% of patients who responded to this therapy achieved sustained suppression of the virus and had favorable outcomes.
A study found that acute exenatide administration enhances glucose uptake and reduces insulin resistance in the liver and adipose tissue of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This treatment also improves glucose control in the liver and fatty cells, offering promising benefits for individuals with this condition.
Studies demonstrate that tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) is as effective and safer than tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) in treating chronic Hepatitis B, with fewer negative changes in bone and kidney parameters. TAF improves patient safety while sustaining efficacy in patients with chronic Hepatitis B virus infection.
Researchers found that an investigational injectable treatment, RG-101, combined with direct-acting antivirals resulted in high virologic response rates among patients with genotype 1 and 4. The four-week treatment course showed promise in reducing Hepatitis C treatment time.
Patients with severe liver disease face increased risk of death when treated with DAAs, according to a new study. The study highlights the need for individualized discussions between healthcare professionals and patients regarding treatment options.
A new triple combination treatment of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir and GS-9857 achieved a high sustained virologic response rate of 99% in patients with HCV genotype 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6. The treatment was generally safe and effective, even in patients who had previously received direct acting antivirals.
A new combination treatment of sofosbuvir, velpatasvir, and GS-9857 demonstrates safety and efficacy in patients with genotype 1 HCV infection. The study achieved high sustained virologic response rates, with 98% of patients responding to the three-drug combination.
The elbasvir/grazoprevir combination was effective in HCV genotypes 1 and 4 with fewer overall side effects, resulting in an SVR12 of 99.2% compared to 90.5% for sofosbuvir/pegylated interferon. The new treatment demonstrated superior efficacy especially in hard-to-treat patients.
A genome-wide association study has identified two genes, PNPLA3 and SLC38A4, that increase the risk of developing severe alcoholic hepatitis in heavy drinkers. The study found that individuals with these genetic variants are more susceptible to developing this serious and life-threatening illness.
A new study found that patients with a prior history of hepatocellular carcinoma and treated with direct-acting antivirals for Hepatitis C have a higher-than-expected early recurrence rate of their liver cancer, with rates exceeding 40% in some subgroups. The recurrences may be due to a weakened immune system following DAA therapy.
A new study shows that direct-acting antiviral therapy can improve the condition of patients with severe liver damage and hepatitis C, reducing their need for a liver transplant. The treatment improved the outlook for 35% of patients, allowing them to be removed from the transplant list or no longer require a transplant.
A new study reports that nearly 80% of children who undergo liver transplants can be expected to survive for at least 20 years. The study analyzed data from 128 consecutive children who received liver transplants between 1988 and 1993, with a median age of 2.5 years.
A new study suggests that hepatitis C-infected livers can be used for transplants with similar medium- to long-term outcomes as healthy livers. This could reduce the waiting time for liver transplants for people with HCV, with over 15,000 people in the US and 8,500 in Europe currently waiting.
A new scoring system can accurately predict a person's risk of death from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the world's most prevalent liver disease. The study found that patients with severe NAFLD had a significantly higher risk of mortality, highlighting the importance of identifying patients at risk.
A new study found that coffee supplementation improved several key markers of NAFLD in mice fed a high-fat diet, including reduced cholesterol and fat accumulation. Coffee also raised levels of Zonulin, which lessens gut permeability, a contributor to liver injury.
Research presented at The International Liver Congress 2016 found that breastfeeding exclusively for six months can reduce the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in adolescence by a third. Pre-pregnancy BMI within the normal range also reduces the risk, by half.
A new study demonstrates that community-based non-specialist providers can safely and effectively treat Hepatitis C patients. The study found that 285 out of 304 patients achieved SVR12, with no significant difference between providers in achieving this outcome.
A new study found that patients with Hepatitis C virus who took direct-acting antiviral treatments had a 'high rate' of re-developing their illness, including liver cancer. The study suggests that these patients require close monitoring due to the high risk of recurrence.
Studies presented at The International Liver Congress 2016 show differing perspectives on direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment efficacy in patients co-infected with HIV and HCV. While one study found lower SVR12 rates in co-infected patients, another study showed no statistically significant impact of HIV co-infection on DAAs.
A study found that co-administered vaccines against HCV and HIV did not impair the magnitude or breadth of either specific T-cell responses. This approach, known as prime-boost, showed potent T-cell responses in healthy volunteers.
A new study finds that universal screening for alcohol misuse among hospital admissions can identify patients at greatest risk and provide targeted treatment, reducing the healthcare burden of alcohol-related harm. The UK researchers screened over 53,000 admissions and found that simple screening is achievable and effective in targetin...
A study found that using a pocket-sized ultrasound device (PUD) with physical examination can improve diagnosis accuracy and reduce the number of tests needed. The PUD was found to be comparable in performance to standard ultrasonography, but improved the accuracy of physical examinations, resulting in a 37% reduction in further testing.
A phase 3 study showed that a combination of daclatasvir, sofosbuvir, and ribavirin was effective in achieving sustained virologic response rates of over 90% in patients with HCV infection and advanced cirrhosis. The treatment was also well-tolerated, with no serious treatment-related side effects.
A recent study published in The International Liver Congress shows that alcohol use disorders are a stronger predictor of mortality than chronic hepatitis C virus infection, especially when severe comorbidities are present. AUDs were found to be associated with higher mortality risks across all hospital subgroups.