New breakthrough in the identification of risk for liver disease

A collaborative international study, including researchers from OWL Metabolomics and José María Mato, from CIC bioGUNE - member of BRTA - and CIBEREHD, unveils a significant breakthrough in identifying patients at risk of developing Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH), formerly known as Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH).

The recent article, published in the scientific journal Hepatology, highlights the crucial role of the newly introduced Metabolomics-Advanced Steatohepatitis Fibrosis Score (MASEF) in early detection of patients with at-risk Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH), a critical subset of MASLD.

MASLD affects 35% of the global population and stands as the leading cause of chronic liver disease. Disease progression can lead to severe complications, including cirrhosis and, in some cases, liver cancer. Patients with at-risk MASH (MASH and fibrosis stage 2 or higher) face an elevated risk of morbidity and mortality, underscoring the urgent need for early identification.

Until now, liver biopsy was considered the gold standard for identifying those with at-risk MASH. However, this practice comes with significant challenges and risks. In response, non-invasive tests have been developed to identify patients at risk of developing MASH. While these tests have improved detection, their scope and validation remain limited.

The MASEF score, utilizing metabolomics, emerges as a promising alternative. This innovative approach, involving the measurement of specific serum lipids, accurately identifies patients with at-risk MASH.

Compared to other non-invasive tests, the MASEF score has demonstrated high specificity and diagnostic performance. Furthermore, its use as a substitute in the currently recommended algorithm by the American Gastroenterology Association (AGA) and other associations for identifying at-risk MASH has proven to be feasible and practical.

The results support the potential of the MASEF score as a promising diagnostic tool that could enhance the accurate identification of patients with at-risk MASH. This precision would enable the targeting of novel therapies and clinical trials to those at higher risk of severe liver disease progression.

This international multicentre study spanning several years provides clinically applicable data in real-world settings. The simplicity and accessibility of the MASEF score, being a blood-based test, position it as a significant advancement in the fight against MASLD and MASH.

Researchers and clinicians from the following institutions participated in this study: Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, OWL Metabolomics, Biodonostia Research Institute, University of Navarra, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, University of Florida, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Charles University, Valme University Hospital, Clinic University Hospital of Valladolid, Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, Puerta del Hierro University Hospital, Gregorio Marañón University Hospital, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, National Institute for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III), Príncipe de Asturias University Hospital, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Pinnacle Clinical Research, Newcastle University, CIC bioGUNE, and Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center.

Reference: Mazen Noureddin, Emily Truong, Rebeca Mayo, Ibon Martínez-Arranz, Itziar Mincholé, Jesús M. Banales, Marco Arrese, Kenneth Cusi, María Teresa Arias-Loste, Radan Bruha, Manuel Romero-Gómez, Paula Iruzubieta, Rocio Aller, Javier Ampuero, José Luis Calleja, Luis Ibañez-Samaniego, Patricia Aspichueta, Antonio Martín-Duce, Tatyana Kushner, Pablo Ortiz, Stephen A. Harrison, Quentin M. Anstee, Javier Crespo, José M. Mato, Arun J. Sanyal. Hepatology. DOI: 10.1097/HEP.0000000000000542.

About CIBEREHD

The Consortium of Biomedical Network Research Centres (CIBER) is a public research consortium created on the initiative of the Instituto de Salud Carlos III / Carlos III Health Institute, of the Ministry of Science and Innovation, to further research of excellence in biomedicine and health sciences conducted within the National Health System and the Science and Technology System. The scientific programme of the CIBER is organised around 13 thematic areas of research, including the area of Liver Diseases (CIBEREHD) and Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases (CIBERDEM).

About CIC bioGUNE

The Centre for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), member of the Basque Research & Technology Alliance (BRTA), located in the Bizkaia Technology Park, is a biomedical research organisation conducting cutting-edge research at the interface between structural, molecular and cell biology, with a particular focus on generating knowledge on the molecular bases of disease, for use in the development of new diagnostic methods and advanced therapies.

About BRTA

BRTA is an alliance of 4 collaborative research centres (CIC bioGUNE, CIC nanoGUNE, CIC biomaGUNE y CIC energiGUNE) and 12 technology centres (Azterlan, Azti, Ceit, Cidetec, Gaiker, Ideko, Ikerlan, Lortek, Neiker, Tecnalia, Tekniker and Vicomtech) with the main objective of developing advanced technological solutions for the Basque corporate fabric.

With the support of the Basque Government, the SPRI Group and the Provincial Councils of the three territories, the alliance seeks to promote collaboration between the research centres, strengthen the conditions to generate and transfer knowledge to companies, contributing to their competitiveness and outspreading the Basque scientific-technological capacity abroad.

BRTA has a workforce of 3,500 professionals, executes 22% of the Basque Country's R&D investment, registers an annual turnover of more than 300 million euros and generates 100 European and international patents per year.