<div><p><b>Background:</p> </b><p>The effect of <em>PNPLA3</em> rs738409 I148M variant (G allele) on the clinical course of adults with biopsy-proven nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has not been prospectively investigated. We examined (1) the association between <em>PNPLA3</em> G allele and clinical outcomes and (2) how relationships among <em>PNPLA3</em> G allele, age, and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) impact clinical outcomes in patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD.</p>

<div><p><b>Background: </b>MAESTRO-NASH (NCT03900429) is an ongoing 54-month, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 trial evaluating the efficacy of resmetirom in patients with biopsy-confirmed nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and fibrosis. 966 patients with biopsy-confirmed NASH were randomized 1:1:1 to resmetirom 80mg, resmetirom 100mg, or placebo administered once daily. Histologic endpoints were assessed after 52 weeks.

<div><p><b>Background:</p> </b><p>FibroScan®-derived liver stiffness (LS) values above a threshold of 20 kilopascals (kPa) has been used to guide endoscopic screening for gastro-esophageal varices. However, there is limited data on the clinical significance of LS values above this threshold. We aimed to assess whether LS values ≥ 20 kPa are associated with death, decompensation, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).</p>

<div><p><b>Background:</p> </b><p>The 2017 UNOS simultaneous liver-kidney transplant (SLK) policy establishes the minimum eligibility criteria for SLK listing and a mechanism to expedite kidney after liver transplantation (Safety Net). Candidate selection for SLK versus Safety Net requires further refinement.

<div><p><b>Background: </b>MAESTRO-MASH (NCT03900429), an ongoing, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 serial liver biopsy study, achieved both primary endpoints on liver biopsy (MASH resolution and fibrosis reduction) at Week 52 with both resmetirom doses, including a ≥1-stage reduction in fibrosis without worsening of MASH of 24%, 26% (mITT) at 80 and 100 mg resmetirom compared with placebo (14%).

<div><p><b>Background:</p> </b><p>High prevalence of obesity in the U.S. is driving the burden of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and associated adverse clinical outcomes including NASH-related end-stage liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our aim was to assess the most recent trends in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) listed for liver transplantation (LT) in the U.S. using a national registry.</p>

<div><p><b>Background: </b>While studies have associated social determinants of health (SDOH) with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment delay of &gt;3 months, there is limited data on SDOH impacting expedited treatment and subsequent outcomes. This study investigates whether components of SDOH are associated with progression<span>-</span>free survival for HCC within Milan criteria and their effect on time to initiate HCC treatment.</p>

<div><p><b>Background: </b>New treatment concepts focus on enhancing rates of functional cure of chronic hepatitis B (HBV) with the aims of stopping nucleos(t)ide treatment (NA) with no risk of virological relapse or liver disease progression and further decreasing the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Induction of a CD8+ T cell response to HBV is likely a required mechanism to achieve a functional cure.

<div><p><strong> </strong></p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong><b>Background:</strong> </b></p>

<div><p><b>Background: </b>Comorbidity plays an important role in the mortality of patients both on the waiting list and after liver transplantation (LT). To analyze the impact of comorbidities on LT, a prospective and multicentre study (HEPA_TIC) has been launched.</p>