Bariatric surgery lowers risk of cardiovascular disease

New research involving adults diagnosed with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and morbid obesity (body mass index > 40) indicates that subjects who had bariatric surgery achieved a significantly reduced risk of developing subsequent cardiovascular disease (CVD). The findings appeared on Oct. 5, 2022 in JAMA Network Open. “The findings provide evidence in support of bariatric surgery as an effective […]

Novel AI blood test detects liver cancer

A novel artificial intelligence blood testing technology developed and used by Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center researchers to successfully detect lung cancer in a 2021 study has now detected more than 80% of liver cancers in a new study of 724 people. The blood test, called DELFI (DNA evaluation of fragments for early interception) detects fragmentation changes among DNA from […]

Cold method for clearer fatty liver observation found

Obesity can give rise to a variety of health concerns. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)—a type of fatty liver disease that might progress to cancer—is particularly prevalent among obese people. Treatment for NASH patients has yet to be found, due partly to the absence of suitable and efficient methods to isolate and analyze characteristics of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), which are proven […]

Women with irregular periods may be at risk for liver disease

Women with long or irregular periods are known to have a higher risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease, but researchers found these women may also be at risk for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), according to a new study published in the Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. About 24% of U.S. adults have NAFLD, a chronic […]

Saphnelo approved in the EU for the treatment of moderate to severe systemic lupus erythematosus – AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca’s Saphnelo (anifrolumab) has been approved in the European Union as an add-on therapy for the treatment of adult patients with moderate to severe, active autoantibody-positive systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), despite receiving standard therapy. Saphnelo is the first biologic for SLE approved in Europe with an indication that is not restricted to patients with a high degree of disease activity. […]

Researchers develop optical biopsy system that detects liver cancer

New instrument could aid diagnosis by helping surgeons pinpoint the best place for a biopsy. Researchers have developed an optical biopsy system that can distinguish between cancerous and healthy liver tissue. The new technology could make it easier to diagnose liver cancer, which is the sixth most common cancer globally. “The instrument is designed to be compatible with the needles […]

MHRA approves Bylvay for progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis – Albireo Pharma

Albireo Pharma announced that the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has granted marketing authorization for Bylvay (odevixibat) for the treatment of all types of progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC). The MHRA authorization follows the European Commission (EC) authorization of Bylvay in July 2021. The MHRA authorization was based on data from PEDFIC 1 and PEDFIC 2, the […]

Study introduces new strategy to treat advanced liver cancer

Advanced liver cancer, or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), currently has limited treatment options and poor prognosis • A recent study introduces a new approach to treat advanced HCC by combining systemic immunotherapy with internal radiation therapy Advanced liver cancer, or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), currently has limited treatment options and poor prognosis A recent study introduces a new approach to treat advanced […]

External-beam radiation therapy underused for people with liver cancer awaiting transplant

First national analysis of external-beam radiation as bridging therapy finds fewer than 4% of patients prescribed this non-invasive option. People with liver cancer awaiting transplantation could benefit from non-invasive radiation treatments but are rarely given this therapy, according to a new analysis of U.S. national data. Findings will be presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting. […]

Phase III KEYNOTE-394 trial of Keytruda meets primary endpoint in hepatocellular carcinoma – Merck Inc

Merck Inc announced that the Phase III KEYNOTE-394 trial investigating Keytruda (pembrolizumab), Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, in Asian patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) previously treated with sorafenib met its primary endpoint of overall survival (OS). The study found that treatment with Keytruda plus best supportive care resulted in a statistically significant improvement in OS compared with placebo plus best supportive […]