International Hepatology

The recently concluded 2024 European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) Annual Meeting provided a platform for hepatology experts and scholars from around the world to exchange and collaborate. This year's meeting brought together top liver disease experts from across the globe to discuss cutting-edge issues and the latest research advances in hepatology. Among the various topics, research on fatty liver disease was particularly noteworthy, not only for its relevance to the health and well-being of a large number of patients but also for its significance in the development of hepatology treatments. To keep our readers updated on the highlights of the conference, the editorial board of "Hepatology Digest" invited Professor Huiying Rao from Peking University People's Hospital to share insights on non-invasive diagnosis and assessment in the field of Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD), presenting the latest and most authoritative academic information to our readers.

Traditional screening methods in the field of liver cancer prevention and treatment face numerous challenges. At the 2024 European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) Annual Meeting, the CLiMB trial, led by Professor Richard Van Etten, Director of the UCI Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center in the United States, achieved significant results in the early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cirrhotic patients using the innovative HelioLiver Dx testing technology. This research was recognized as a breakthrough and was presented orally (Abstract No. LBO-006). HelioLiver Dx testing technology, which detects multiple epigenetic methylation markers on circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and combines the analysis of various protein markers, successfully overcomes the limitations of ultrasound screening in terms of popularity and sensitivity. The study results show that HelioLiver Dx testing significantly surpasses ultrasound in sensitivity, especially in detecting small liver lesions less than 2 cm. We had an in-depth interview with Professor Van Etten and present the content for our readers.

At the recently concluded European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) annual meeting, Professor Frank Tacke from Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin presented a special report on the newly released "Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease" by EASL, the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD), and the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO). This guideline covers the latest recommendations from the use of non-invasive diagnostic tools to treatment strategies, emphasizing the importance of managing obesity and diabetes and the need for multidisciplinary collaboration in the management of metabolic associated fatty liver disease. At the conference, Hepatology Digest invited Professor Frank Tacke to provide an authoritative interpretation of the guideline. Professor Tacke stated that this guideline is not only a significant achievement in the field of hepatology but also a major update to the global medical community's diagnostic and treatment plans for MAFLD patients. It places a stronger emphasis on practicality and operability in clinical practice, ensuring better health outcomes for MAFLD patients.

Traditional screening methods in the field of liver cancer prevention and treatment face numerous challenges. At the 2024 European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) Annual Meeting, the CLiMB trial, led by Professor Richard Van Etten, Director of the UCI Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center in the United States, achieved significant results in the early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cirrhotic patients using the innovative HelioLiver Dx testing technology. This research was recognized as a breakthrough and was presented orally (Abstract No. LBO-006). HelioLiver Dx testing technology, which detects multiple epigenetic methylation markers on circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and combines the analysis of various protein markers, successfully overcomes the limitations of ultrasound screening in terms of popularity and sensitivity. The study results show that HelioLiver Dx testing significantly surpasses ultrasound in sensitivity, especially in detecting small liver lesions less than 2 cm. We had an in-depth interview with Professor Van Etten and present the content for our readers.

In the field of chronic HBV infection, the discovery of basic core promoter (BCP) and pre-core (PC) mutations dates back nearly thirty years. However, the potential link between these mutations and the progression of chronic hepatitis B (CHB), as well as their impact on antiviral treatment response, has been a focal point for virologists for a long time. At the 2024 European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) Annual Meeting, Professor Fengmin Lu from the Peking University Center for Infectious Diseases shared his team’s latest research findings. Firstly, they revealed the impact of BCP+PC mutant virus infection on hepatocytes, indicating that this mutant virus induces more extensive and severe hepatocyte degeneration and cytoplasmic vacuolization, and suppresses the endogenous IFN-α/γ signaling pathway in human hepatocytes. This discovery may offer a new explanation for the poor response to interferon therapy in some patients. Additionally, Professor Lu delved into the regulation and secretion mechanisms of HBsAg expression in integrated HBV DNA, proposing new strategies for CHB treatment based on these findings. We had an in-depth interview with Professor Lu, and the content is organized here for our readers.

On June 8, the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) Annual Meeting concluded successfully in Milan, Italy. This conference brought together top experts and scholars from around the world to discuss the latest technologies and future trends in liver disease treatment. Among the key topics was the development of new drugs for metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). Professor Jian Gao Fan, Director of the Gastroenterology Department at Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, shared insights on the current state and cutting-edge progress in MAFLD drug development.

With the changing modern lifestyle and dietary patterns, Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) has gradually become one of the significant public health concerns globally. At the 2024 EASL Congress, there have been groundbreaking developments in the pharmacological treatment of MAFLD. Particularly, studies on the dual receptor agonists for Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) and Glucose-Dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide (GIP), survodutide, and tirzepatide, have revealed significant effects in alleviating hepatic steatosis and improving fibrosis. Additionally, due to its association with a range of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and other chronic metabolic disorders, the complex relationship between MAFLD and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) has also garnered significant attention. Our journal had the privilege to interview Professor Arun J Sanyal, the Chair of the NASH Clinical Research Network at the National Institutes of Health, who summarized the latest clinical research progress on MAFLD from this conference and discussed the "Sugar-Liver Co-Management" strategy for patients with MAFLD and T2DM, aiming to provide new insights for clinical treatment and patient management.