Posts by Mourabit Halima

On June 5, 2024, the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) Annual Meeting commenced in Milan, Italy, bringing together experts and scholars from the global hepatology field. The conference aimed to share the latest developments and trends in liver disease research, providing valuable references for future research and clinical practice. On the first day of the conference, Academician Gaojun Teng of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the initiator of the China Diabetes and Liver Disease Management (CDLM) initiative, along with Xiaolong Qi, founder of CHESS and co-initiator of CDLM, presented a novel study. They introduced the DiabetesLiver Score, a non-invasive tool to assess advanced liver fibrosis in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients and predict liver-related adverse events.

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the recommended treatment for intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients and a viable option for early-stage HCC patients who cannot undergo curative treatments. However, the prognosis for TACE varies significantly among individuals, with objective response rates ranging from 40% to 80% and overall survival times from 13 to 48 months. Given the advancements in molecular targeted therapy and immunotherapy for HCC, accurately predicting individual prognosis and identifying patients with poor prognosis is crucial for optimizing treatment choices and extending survival. On June 6, 2024, at the EASL Annual Meeting in Milan, Professor Guohong Han from Xi'an International Medical Center Hospital in China shared the latest clinical research. Their team developed a predictive model for TACE outcomes, helping guide treatment choices for intermediate HCC patients and improving their survival (Abstract No.: THU-475).

From June 5-8, 2024, the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) Annual Meeting was held in the cultural city of Milan, Italy. This premier academic event attracted over 7,000 hepatology professionals from around the world. During the conference, we had the privilege of interviewing the Chairman of this year’s conference, and current EASL Secretary-General, Professor Aleksander Krag. He shared key topics of the conference and the latest research advancements in hepatology. Professor Krag emphasized that metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) has become the most widespread liver disease globally and highlighted the importance of drug development and policy cooperation in advancing liver disease treatment and management. He also discussed the challenges and future directions in liver disease research, encouraging collaboration and innovation in the field.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common and highly lethal malignancy, with its treatment methods continuously evolving. In recent years, immunotherapy has become a hotspot in liver cancer treatment. Recently, Professor Zhexiong Lian's team from Southern Medical University published a paper in the Journal of Hepatology, revealing the potential value of inhibiting OXCT1 activity in tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) for treating HCC. The study found that high OXCT1 expression is closely associated with poor prognosis in HCC patients. By inhibiting OXCT1, TAMs can be reprogrammed to an anti-tumor phenotype, enhancing the cytotoxicity of CD8+ T cells, thereby providing a new strategy for immunotherapy of liver cancer.

Diabetes and liver disease are common chronic diseases in China, with overlapping mechanisms, clinical manifestations, and therapeutic targets, making them interrelated risk factors. Co-managing these conditions can help reduce the disease burden. To support the development of diabetes and liver disease co-management in China, our publication, in collaboration with the China Diabetes and Liver Disease Co-management Action Plan (CDL), introduces the CDL Monthly Literature Review column. Each month, we will share research on the mechanisms, diagnosis, and treatment progress related to diabetes with liver disease, and invite experts from related fields in China to provide commentary. We aim to offer valuable insights and assistance to specialists, researchers, and frontline healthcare workers in conducting scientific research and clinical practice.

Antiviral therapy plays a crucial role in reducing the risk of liver cancer and delaying disease progression in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). The survival rate and quality of life for CHB patients have been steadily improving. However, the treatment needs of "Small Three Yang" (HBsAg, anti-HBe, and anti-HBc positive) patients have often been overlooked. At the 17th National Clinical Conference on Liver Diseases held on May 25, 2024, Hepatology Digest interviewed the conference chairman, Professor Xiaoguang Dou from Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, to discuss clinical cure strategies for "Small Three Yang" patients. Here is a summary of the interview for our readers.