EASL Secretary-General: Doctor Thomas Berg Discusses Highlights of the Conference, NAFLD Renaming, and Future Directions for Fatty Liver and Hepatitis

EASL Secretary-General: Doctor Thomas Berg Discusses Highlights of the Conference, NAFLD Renaming, and Future Directions for Fatty Liver and Hepatitis

2024.01.18
The 58th Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL 2023) and the EASL Congress 2023 have brought forth a splendid academic gathering for the global hepatology community. The Hepatology Digest reporting team had the privilege of interviewing Doctor Thomas Berg, EASL Secretary-General and Head of the Hepatology Department at Leipzig University Hospital. He shared with us the highlights of this conference, his perspective on significant research developments, thoughts on the renaming of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), and insights into the future research directions for fatty liver and hepatitis B.

Discovery and Verification of HBV Auxiliary Receptor NRP1

2024.01.13
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection is one of the main causes of liver diseases, affecting approximately 292 million people worldwide who are chronic carriers of HBV, leading to severe conditions like liver cirrhosis and primary liver cancer. The infection process of HBV relies on the binding of the viral envelope proteins to receptors on the cell surface. Therefore, interfering with the binding of the viral envelope proteins and receptors can be an effective antiviral strategy. During the 15th Chronic Viral Hepatitis Antiviral Treatment Challenges and Hot Topics Academic Conference, held in Chongqing from November 17-19, 2023, and organized by the Chinese Medical Journal Company Ltd., Editorial Office of the Chinese Journal of Hepatology, and co-organized by the Hepatitis Group of the Chinese Society of Hepatology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, and the Chongqing Medical University Institute of Viral Hepatitis, Dr. Ailong Huang, President of Chongqing Medical University, shared his team's latest research findings on how HBV depends on various receptors and auxiliary receptors to infect cells. This research provides new insights into the mechanism of HBV invasion and the development of novel drugs to block HBV infection.

Discovery and Verification of HBV Auxiliary Receptor NRP1

2024.01.11
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection is one of the main causes of liver diseases, affecting approximately 292 million people worldwide who are chronic carriers of HBV, leading to severe conditions like liver cirrhosis and primary liver cancer. The infection process of HBV relies on the binding of the viral envelope proteins to receptors on the cell surface. Therefore, interfering with the binding of the viral envelope proteins and receptors can be an effective antiviral strategy. During the 15th Chronic Viral Hepatitis Antiviral Treatment Challenges and Hot Topics Academic Conference, held in Chongqing from November 17-19, 2023, and organized by the Chinese Medical Journal Company Ltd., Editorial Office of the Chinese Journal of Hepatology, and co-organized by the Hepatitis Group of the Chinese Society of Hepatology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, and the Chongqing Medical University Institute of Viral Hepatitis, Dr. Ailong Huang, President of Chongqing Medical University, shared his team's latest research findings on how HBV depends on various receptors and auxiliary receptors to infect cells. This research provides new insights into the mechanism of HBV invasion and the development of novel drugs to block HBV infection.
Dr. Youwen Tan: Baseline Hepatocyte Ballooning is a Risk Factor for the Evolution of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Chronic Hepatitis B

Dr. Youwen Tan: Baseline Hepatocyte Ballooning is a Risk Factor for the Evolution of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Chronic Hepatitis B

2024.01.03
Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are both significant contributors to liver-related complications and mortality. Dr. Youwen Tan's team at the Third People's Hospital of Jiangsu University conducted research on the impact of NAFLD, as confirmed by liver histopathology, and pathological changes on individuals with chronic HBV infection. The latest research findings were selected for presentation at the 58th Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL 2023) and the EASL Congress 2023
Dr. Yanhua Ding’s Team: Clinical Research on HBV CAM New Drugs and NAFLD Prediction Model Selected for Conference Presentation

Dr. Yanhua Ding’s Team: Clinical Research on HBV CAM New Drugs and NAFLD Prediction Model Selected for Conference Presentation

2024.01.02
Dr. Yanhua Ding's Team: Clinical Research on HBV CAM New Drugs and NAFLD Prediction Model Selected for Conference Presentation Yanhua Ding practices in Changchun, China. Ding and is rated as an Experienced expert by MediFind in the treatment of Arthritis. They are also highly rated in 3 other conditions, according to our data. Their top areas of expertise are Hepatitis, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and Type 2 Diabetes (T2D).
Dr. Jinlin Hou and Dr. Fan Rong’s Team: The Joint Application of aMAP Score and LSM Provides a New Strategy for Liver Fibrosis Assessment in Untreated

Dr. Jinlin Hou and Dr. Fan Rong’s Team: The Joint Application of aMAP Score and LSM Provides a New Strategy for Liver Fibrosis Assessment in Untreated

2024.01.02
The assessment of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is of significant importance for initiating antiviral treatment and evaluating treatment efficacy. Serum models represented by Fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4) and aspartate transaminase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) exhibit inconsistent diagnostic performance for liver fibrosis in different study populations. Moreover, there is controversy regarding whether the dynamic changes in liver stiffness measurement (LSM) during antiviral treatment can predict fibrosis reversal. Therefore, new models or indicators are still needed for fibrosis assessment in CHB patients before and after antiviral treatment.
AASLD Interview | Professor Fengmin Lu: Exploring Interferon Cure Advantages in Chronic Hepatitis B, Delving into Mechanisms to Guide New Drug Development

AASLD Interview | Professor Fengmin Lu: Exploring Interferon Cure Advantages in Chronic Hepatitis B, Delving into Mechanisms to Guide New Drug Development

2023.12.25
At the just-concluded Annual Summit of Hepatology, the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD2023), Professor Fengmin Lu's team from Peking University presented three contributions (1 oral presentation and 2 posters), focusing on the mechanisms related to chronic HBV infection. Their research revealed populations benefiting from interferon therapy in chronic Hepatitis B (CHB) and explored potential new targets for curing. "Hepatology Digest" has specially invited Professor Fengmin Lu to interpret the research findings, their significance and implications for future scientific research or clinical practice, and to envision the prospects for functional cure among the CHB population in our country.