Research on the liver in health and disease. Covers liver-disease subtypes, the liver's role in circadian timing, targeted therapies, and cell regulation.
Boosting a naturally occurring molecule in the body can help protect against obesity-related diseases by reducing inflammation in fat tissues. The study found significant disease improvement, primarily affecting fat tissue, and demonstrated the potential of fundamental research to reduce inflammation.
The study reveals that Rev-erbα has two distinct roles in regulating the body clock and metabolism, one in cells across the body and another in the liver. This dual function may enable the development of targeted therapies for metabolic disorders, such as diabetes and fatty liver disease.
The SIRFLOX randomized controlled study found that adding liver-directed SIR-Spheres Y-90 resin microspheres to first-line chemotherapy improved liver tumour control and reduced progression risk. The regimen provided a 7.9-month treatment benefit, translating to a 31% reduction in tumour progression risk.
Researchers discovered a specific immune cell type that reduces inflammation and protects against liver damage. The Ly6C-negative monocyte subset dampens the immune response and induces anti-inflammatory genes in nearby cells.
A study of paracetamol use in seven European countries reveals a six-times higher risk of liver failure in Ireland and a two-fold higher risk in the UK. The highest rates of overdose-related liver failure were found in these two English-speaking countries, suggesting potential differences in self-poisoning practices.
Researchers at UCLA successfully tested a portable finger-probe device on 53 potential organ donors, predicting which livers would function properly after transplantation. The device could increase the number of organs used for transplant and save patients waiting for transplants from dying.
Researchers at MIT and UCSD developed a new approach to detecting liver tumors using engineered probiotics. The bacteria produce a luminescent signal that can be detected with a common laboratory test, showing high sensitivity in detecting liver tumors larger than one cubic millimeter.
A risk prediction model has been developed to identify patients with hepatitis C who have the most urgent need for new anti-viral drugs. The model uses routine lab values and machine-learning methods to predict health outcomes, allowing doctors to target treatment to those with high risk of complications.
A Phase III study has shown an overall cure rate of 94% for patients with a liver transplant and returning hepatitis C, and 83% for patients with advanced cirrhosis. The FDA has granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation for the investigational combination, clearing the way for expedited drug development.
A new study from the University of Edinburgh found that individuals with high psychological distress were more likely to die from liver disease. The research tracked over 165,000 participants for ten years and controlled for various factors such as alcohol consumption and socioeconomic status.
A new study by Ohio State University researchers suggests that skipping meals can lead to insulin resistance and increased abdominal fat gain in mice. Mice on restricted diets who fasted for extended periods developed metabolic issues, including inflammation and plumper fat cells, compared to those who ate regularly.
Patients with liver cancer can be cured with a liver transplant using organs from donors who died of cardiac death, according to the largest study of its kind. The study found no difference in liver cancer recurrence between livers donated after cardiac death and those obtained from brain-dead donors.
A study published in Nature Cell Biology reveals that exosomes secreted by pancreatic cancer cells contain MIF, which educates liver cells to produce a protein leading to fibrosis and tumor growth. This discovery could lead to targeted treatments and biomarkers for early detection.
A new therapy with high cure rates is available, but the high cost of direct acting antiviral (DAA) treatment limits access for many hepatitis C virus patients. Increasing treatment efficacy and accessibility could avert significant liver-related deaths and end-stage liver disease in Australia.
A new class of protein-based contrast agents (PRCAs) has been developed to detect liver cancer at an early stage, providing robust results. The agent, ProCA32, allows for imaging of liver tumors measuring less than 0.25 millimeters with improved sensitivity and accuracy compared to existing methods.
A new study found that liver transplant centers in highly competitive geographic areas performed more transplants than those in less competitive areas. The researchers used data from 53,156 adult liver transplantation operations performed between 2003 and 2012.
Researchers at University College London have found that hepatitis B virus can persist in the liver by exploiting starved T cells. The study suggests that boosting the immune system and counteracting the liver's suppressive effect could potentially clear the infection.
Researchers successfully restored bilirubin levels to those found in healthy animals using gene therapy, offering new hope for the treatment of Crigler-Najjar syndrome. The therapy involved transferring a copy of the UGT1A1 gene into liver cells using an AAV vector, resulting in long-term correction without immunosuppression.
A plant toxin has been found to cause biliary atresia, a rare and debilitating liver disease, in animal models. The toxin, isolated from Australian plants, selectively destroys the bile ducts outside the liver, leading to scarring and preventing bile flow.
A 12-week dose of an investigational three-drug combination cleared the virus in 93 percent of patients with liver cirrhosis who hadn't previously been treated. The addition of ribavirin to the regimen enhanced results, eliminating the virus in 93 percent of previously treated patients.
A new study found that living liver donors experienced lower sexual function at evaluation phase and three months after surgery. Donor education prior to surgery may help ease concerns and improve recovery.
A new study presented at The International Liver Congress 2015 showed high rates of sustained virologic response and good tolerance when using sofosbuvir and daclatasvir-based regimens in patients with recurrent hepatitis C. These results support the use of interferon-free regimens in managing liver transplant patients infected with HCV.
The RUBY-1 study evaluates ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir and dasabuvir in patients with stage 4 or 5 CKD and HCV GT1 infection, revealing a well-tolerated combination with rapid viral load suppression.
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.
The study found that the Sofosbuvir/daclatasvir combination achieved an 81.6% SVR4 rate after 12 weeks of treatment and a 93.9% SVR4 rate after 24 weeks, with a 100% SVR4 rate when combined with ribavirin. The treatment was effective in both cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients.
A comprehensive review highlights the need for better evidence on hepatitis B and C testing in European countries. The study found gaps in knowledge, particularly for high-risk populations such as migrants and men who have sex with men.
A study reveals that individuals with undiagnosed hepatitis C infection have a similar risk of developing advanced liver fibrosis as those who are diagnosed. The findings support the importance of regular screening for HCV, especially in high-risk groups.
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 worldwide study shows that daily drinking is a significant predictor of liver disease burden, with heavy drinkers having the highest risk. The study highlights the need for reducing heavy drinking as an important target for public health monitoring and policies.
A Phase 3 study demonstrates that sofosbuvir in combination with ribavirin and peginterferon is highly effective for treating genotype-3 HCV-infected patients, particularly those with cirrhosis. The BOSON study shows the optimal duration of treatment for these patients, which could lead to improved outcomes.
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.
The study demonstrated that ledipasvir-sofosbuvir achieves high sustained virologic response rates in patients with chronic genotype 4 and 5 HCV infection. The treatment was found to be effective in both treatment-naive and treatment-experienced patients, with similar SVR12 rates across all patient types.
BLU-554, a small molecule inhibitor of FGFR4, has been identified as a potential treatment option for up to 30% of HCC patients. The investigational drug was shown to be potent and 'exquisitely selective' for FGFR4 compared to other kinases targeting the FGFR family.
A 12-week oral regimen of once-daily single tablet grazoprevir/elbasvir is effective and well-tolerated in treatment-naive patients infected with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes 1, 4 or 6. Preliminary results show that 299 out of 316 patients achieved a sustained virologic response at 12 weeks.
A large population-based cohort study found that non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) increases the risk of death by 50% compared to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The study also showed that patients with NASH had a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality over a 14-year period.
A large cohort study found that long-term use of entecavir (ETV) or tenofovir (TDF) results in excellent 5-year survival for Caucasian patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), with a significant proportion of deaths coming from liver-unrelated causes. The development of hepatocellular carcinoma plays a major role in mortality.
A new study presented at The International Liver Congress 2015 shows that significant weight loss through lifestyle changes can improve histological features of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Over 10% weight loss is necessary to induce complete resolution of steatohepatitis, fibrosis, and portal inflammation.
Results from the SOLAR 2 trial show that ledipasvir/sofosbuvir in combination with ribavirin is safe and effective in patients with decompensated liver disease or who have undergone liver transplantation. High sustained virologic response rates were achieved, even among treatment-experienced patients.
Researchers found that delaying treatment until after a patient's FIB4 level exceeds 3.25 has a clear detrimental effect on treatment effectiveness, increasing morbidity and mortality risks. Early treatment initiation is crucial to prevent adverse outcomes.
Researchers identified specific molecular profiles and mutational patterns that can help determine which hepatocellular carcinoma patients benefit from targeted anticancer treatments. The study suggests that exome sequencing can be used to identify potential new targets for therapy, leading to optimized personalized patient care.
Capsaicin, the active compound in chili peppers, has been found to have beneficial effects on liver damage. In a study, capsaicin reduced the activation of hepatic stellate cells, which are involved in liver fibrosis. The compound partially improved liver damage and inhibited further progression of the injury in mice models.
A randomized controlled trial demonstrated liraglutide met the primary endpoint of histological clearance of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, and a reduction in fibrosis progression. The study also showed significant weight loss, BMI reduction, and fasting glucose decrease with liraglutide treatment.
The daclatasvir-sofosbuvir combination was highly effective and well-tolerated in treating hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients with HIV co-infection. Across genotypes 1-4, the treatment resulted in a sustained virologic response rate of 97% at 12 weeks post-treatment.
Preliminary results show that Civacir effectively prevents hepatitis C virus (HCV) recurrence in liver transplant patients who received antiviral therapy before their operation. The study found that Civacir provides a prophylactic efficacy in preventing HCV-reinfection, reducing the risk of graft loss.
Many European countries lack national strategies to manage chronic viral hepatitis disease surveillance, burden assessment, and intervention impact. Governments need support for developing plans, estimating the national burden, and improving surveillance systems.
The HCV-TARGET study shows all-oral direct-acting antiviral therapy is highly effective and well tolerated in patients with decompensated cirrhosis, with SVR rates of 75%, 77% and 81%. Liver function markers also improve during short-term follow-up.
A new study published at The International Liver Congress reveals that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with the development of coronary artery calcification. In patients without existing CAC, NAFLD significantly accelerated atherosclerosis progression, while in those with existing CAC, it did not affect disease ...
A new study at The International Liver Congress 2015 reveals that sofosbuvir-based regimens are effective and well-tolerated in hepatitis C and HIV co-infected, cirrhotic patients. Sustained virologic response was observed in 98% of patients at 4 weeks and 95% at 12 weeks.
A new device has demonstrated its potential to preserve and improve the quality of donor livers from donation after circulatory death (DCD) for transplantation. The transportable machine perfusion Airdrive effectively maintained liver quality, reducing biliary complications and increasing graft function.
A study has demonstrated that alginate-enriched bread can inhibit fat digestion and circulatory lipids in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The results show a significant reduction of up to 31% in fat digestion, suggesting its potential use as a therapeutic weight management therapy.
A study published by the European Association for the Study of the Liver found that silymarin, derived from milk thistle, can resolve non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and improve fibrosis in patients. The results suggest a potential new treatment option for this condition.
A new survey found that nearly half of people with viral hepatitis have suffered some kind of discrimination, affecting their daily lives. The study highlights the devastating impact of stigma and discrimination on quality of life, particularly in family relationships and workplaces.
TG1050 has been shown to reach the clinical goals considered a cure for CHB, including elimination of HBsAg and seroconversion. The study achieved these goals in 30% of TG1050-injected mice, supporting the move to a first-in-man study.
A pooled analysis of data from two randomized trials confirms vitamin E as an effective treatment for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), with significant improvements in liver histology and disease resolution. The study supports the use of vitamin E as a safe and effective solution for both adults and children with NASH.
Scaling up existing interventions, including infant vaccination and treatment programmes, could prevent 90% of new chronic HBV infections and 65% mortality levels by 2030. Global expansion is necessary to achieve hepatitis B elimination, avoiding 20 million deaths by 2030.
A new study reveals that chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. The study found significant increases in the cost of care and length of time in hospital for patients with HCV infections.
Remogliflozin etabonate improves insulin sensitivity and beta cell function, reducing ALT levels and weight in patients with NASH. The investigational drug also exhibits intrinsic anti-oxidant activity, reversing steatohepatitis and oxidative stress.
A new study shows that Baclofen has a positive impact on alcohol consumption and liver function in patients with alcohol-induced liver disease. The results demonstrate improved indicators of liver health, reduced physical dependence, and lower standard measures of liver damage.
Researchers at RIKEN have developed a novel method for preserving donor livers, significantly extending their viability and improving transplant outcomes. By cooling organs to 22°C and supplementing with red blood cells, the team achieved remarkable success rates, even with organs obtained after cardiac arrest.
Recent studies confirm that NAFLD worsens heart disease and increases serum levels of cardiovascular risk markers. Additionally, a large population sample found a significant association between psychological distress and liver disease mortality. Meanwhile, inpatient mortality for cirrhosis patients has decreased by 41% in the U.S., at...