Newcastle University, in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh and global biopharmaceutical leader Boehringer Ingelheim, has unveiled the ADVANCE (Accelerating Discovery: Actionable NASH Cirrhosis Endpoints) study. This groundbreaking research initiative represents the most extensive clinical study into liver cirrhosis globally, targeting nonalcoholic or metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (NASH/MASH).
Approximately 444 million people worldwide suffer from NASH/MASH, an inflammatory liver disease induced by fat accumulation, leading to liver cirrhosis in severe cases. The condition poses significant risks, including liver failure and cancer, demanding urgent attention for early diagnosis and effective medicines.
Led by Newcastle University and the University of Edinburgh, with European collaborators, the £30M study is funded by Boehringer Ingelheim, emphasizing the company’s commitment to advancing treatments for cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic diseases. The study aims to unravel the complexities of cirrhosis progression, identify biomarkers, and accelerate therapeutic development.
Professor Quentin Anstee, Professor of Experimental Hepatology at Newcastle University, highlighted the study’s significance, stating, “We aim to work out why, even at the most advanced stages of liver disease, there is substantial variation in how the disease progresses.” He emphasized the collaboration’s international scope, intending to leverage insights to enhance patient diagnosis and develop innovative medicines.
Lykke Hinsch Gylvin, M.D., Chief Medical Officer at Boehringer Ingelheim, underscored the company’s excitement to work on the ADVANCE study, expressing their dedication to understanding interconnected cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic diseases. The partnership aims to unveil underlying disease processes and introduce much-needed treatments for liver cirrhosis patients.
Professor Neil Henderson, co-lead on the study and Professor of Tissue Repair and Regeneration at the University of Edinburgh, highlighted the use of single-cell RNA sequencing technology to study human liver scarring in unprecedented detail. This advanced approach is expected to expedite the discovery of transformative treatments for liver disease.
The study involves 200 patients with cirrhosis recruited from specialized liver clinics across the UK and Europe. Patients will undergo liver tissue biopsies, blood tests, and state-of-the-art MRI scans over two years. The comprehensive data generated will provide insights into disease-related changes, facilitating a deeper understanding of cirrhosis progression.
The international research consortium includes experts from Newcastle University, the University of Edinburgh, Boehringer Ingelheim, and collaborators from universities and hospitals across Europe. The study is poised to reshape cirrhosis research and pave the way for innovative treatments.
Patients interested in participating are encouraged to discuss the study with their treating physicians.
Yvonne Gray, a liver disease patient and advocate, expressed her support for the research, emphasizing the potential for improved diagnostic tests and the discovery of new treatments. As a member of LIVErNORTH, she encourages liver patients to engage in innovative research to raise awareness and find better solutions for liver diseases.
The ADVANCE study marks a significant step toward transforming the landscape of cirrhosis research and offers hope for improved outcomes for patients worldwide.
