A Phase 3, Randomized, Controlled Trial of Resmetirom in NASH with Liver Fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a progressive liver disease with no approved treatment. Resmetirom is an oral, liver-directed, thyroid hormone receptor beta-selective agonist in development for the treatment of NASH with liver fibrosis. METHODS: We are conducting an ongoing phase 3 trial involving adults with biopsy-confirmed NASH and a fibrosis stage of F1B, F2, or F3 (stages range from F0 [no fibrosis] to F4 [cirrhosis]). Patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive once-daily resmetirom at a dose of 80 mg or 100 mg or placebo. The two primary end points at week 52 were NASH resolution (including a reduction in the nonalcoholic fatty liver disease [NAFLD] activity score by ≥2 points; scores range from 0 to 8, with higher scores indicating more severe disease) with no worsening of fibrosis, and an improvement (reduction) in fibrosis by at least one stage with no worsening of the NAFLD activity score. RESULTS: Overall, 966 patients formed the primary analysis population (322 in the 80-mg resmetirom group, 323 in the 100-mg resmetirom group, and 321 in the placebo group). NASH resolution with no worsening of fibrosis was achieved in 25.9% of the patients in the 80-mg resmetirom group and 29.9% of those in the 100-mg resmetirom group, as compared with 9.7% of those in the placebo group (P<0.001 for both comparisons with placebo). Fibrosis improvement by at least one stage with no worsening of the NAFLD activity score was achieved in 24.2% of the patients in the 80-mg resmetirom group and 25.9% of those in the 100-mg resmetirom group, as compared with 14.2% of those in the placebo group (P<0.001 for both comparisons with placebo). The change in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels from baseline to week 24 was -13.6% in the 80-mg resmetirom group and -16.3% in the 100-mg resmetirom group, as compared with 0.1% in the placebo group (P<0.001 for both comparisons with placebo). Diarrhea and nausea were more frequent with resmetirom than with placebo. The incidence of serious adverse events was similar across trial groups: 10.9% in the 80-mg resmetirom group, 12.7% in the 100-mg resmetirom group, and 11.5% in the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS: Both the 80-mg dose and the 100-mg dose of resmetirom were superior to placebo with respect to NASH resolution and improvement in liver fibrosis by at least one stage. (Funded by Madrigal Pharmaceuticals; MAESTRO-NASH ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03900429.).

Randomized, Controlled Trial of the FGF21 Analogue Pegozafermin in NASH.

BACKGROUND: Pegozafermin is a long-acting glycopegylated (pegylated with the use of site-specific glycosyltransferases) fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) analogue in development for the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and severe hypertriglyceridemia. The efficacy and safety of pegozafermin in patients with biopsy-proven noncirrhotic NASH are not well established. METHODS: In this phase 2b, multicenter, double-blind, 24-week, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, we randomly assigned patients with biopsy-confirmed NASH and stage F2 or F3 (moderate or severe) fibrosis to receive subcutaneous pegozafermin at a dose of 15 mg or 30 mg weekly or 44 mg once every 2 weeks or placebo weekly or every 2 weeks. The two primary end points were an improvement in fibrosis (defined as reduction by ≥1 stage, on a scale from 0 to 4, with higher stages indicating greater severity), with no worsening of NASH, at 24 weeks and NASH resolution without worsening of fibrosis at 24 weeks. Safety was also assessed. RESULTS: Among the 222 patients who underwent randomization, 219 received pegozafermin or placebo. The percentage of patients who met the criteria for fibrosis improvement was 7% in the pooled placebo group, 22% in the 15-mg pegozafermin group (difference vs. placebo, 14 percentage points; 95% confidence interval [CI], -9 to 38), 26% in the 30-mg pegozafermin group (difference, 19 percentage points; 95% CI, 5 to 32; P = 0.009), and 27% in the 44-mg pegozafermin group (difference, 20 percentage points; 95% CI, 5 to 35; P = 0.008). The percentage of patients who met the criteria for NASH resolution was 2% in the placebo group, 37% in the 15-mg pegozafermin group (difference vs. placebo, 35 percentage points; 95% CI, 10 to 59), 23% in the 30-mg pegozafermin group (difference, 21 percentage points; 95% CI, 9 to 33), and 26% in the 44-mg pegozafermin group (difference, 24 percentage points; 95% CI, 10 to 37). The most common adverse events associated with pegozafermin therapy were nausea and diarrhea. CONCLUSIONS: In this phase 2b trial, treatment with pegozafermin led to improvements in fibrosis. These results support the advancement of pegozafermin into phase 3 development. (Funded by 89bio; ENLIVEN ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04929483.).

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of aldafermin in patients with NASH and compensated cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Aldafermin, an engineered analog of the human hormone FGF19, improves liver histology in patients with noncirrhotic NASH; however, its efficacy and safety in compensated cirrhosis is unknown. No drug has yet to demonstrate benefit in the compensated NASH population. APPROACH AND RESULTS: In this multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2b trial, 160 patients with compensated NASH cirrhosis were randomized to aldafermin 0.3 mg (n = 7), 1 mg (n = 42), 3 mg (n = 55), or placebo (n = 56) for 48 weeks. The 0.3 mg group was discontinued to limit exposure to suboptimal doses. The primary end point was a change in Enhanced Liver Fibrosis from baseline to week 48. The analyses were performed in the intention-to-treat population. At week 48, the least-squares mean difference in the change in Enhanced Liver Fibrosis was -0.5 (95% CI, -0.7 to -0.2; p = 0.0003) between the 3 mg group and the placebo group. 15%, 21%, and 23% of patients in the placebo, 1 mg, and 3 mg group, respectively, achieved fibrosis improvement ≥ 1 stage; and 13%, 16%, and 20% achieved fibrosis improvement ≥ 1 stage without NASH worsening. Improvement in alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, neoepitope-specific N-terminal pro-peptide of type III collagen, and liver stiffness favored aldefermin groups over placebo. Diarrhea was the most frequent adverse event, occurring at 26% and 40% in the 1 mg and 3 mg groups, respectively, compared to 18% in the placebo group. Overall, 0%, 2%, and 9% of patients in the placebo, 1 mg, and 3 mg group, respectively, discontinued due to treatment-related adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Aldafermin 3 mg resulted in a significant reduction in Enhanced Liver Fibrosis in patients with compensated NASH cirrhosis.

A Randomized, Controlled Trial of the Pan-PPAR Agonist Lanifibranor in NASH.

BACKGROUND: Management of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is an unmet clinical need. Lanifibranor is a pan-PPAR (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor) agonist that modulates key metabolic, inflammatory, and fibrogenic pathways in the pathogenesis of NASH. METHODS: In this phase 2b, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, patients with noncirrhotic, highly active NASH were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive 1200 mg or 800 mg of lanifibranor or placebo once daily for 24 weeks. The primary end point was a decrease of at least 2 points in the SAF-A score (the activity part of the Steatosis, Activity, Fibrosis [SAF] scoring system that incorporates scores for ballooning and inflammation) without worsening of fibrosis; SAF-A scores range from 0 to 4, with higher scores indicating more-severe disease activity. Secondary end points included resolution of NASH and regression of fibrosis. RESULTS: A total of 247 patients underwent randomization, of whom 103 (42%) had type 2 diabetes mellitus and 188 (76%) had significant (moderate) or advanced fibrosis. The percentage of patients who had a decrease of at least 2 points in the SAF-A score without worsening of fibrosis was significantly higher among those who received the 1200-mg dose, but not among those who received the 800-mg dose, of lanifibranor than among those who received placebo (1200-mg dose vs. placebo, 55% vs. 33%, P = 0.007; 800-mg dose vs. placebo, 48% vs. 33%, P = 0.07). The results favored both the 1200-mg and 800-mg doses of lanifibranor over placebo for resolution of NASH without worsening of fibrosis (49% and 39%, respectively, vs. 22%), improvement in fibrosis stage of at least 1 without worsening of NASH (48% and 34%, respectively, vs. 29%), and resolution of NASH plus improvement in fibrosis stage of at least 1 (35% and 25%, respectively, vs. 9%). Liver enzyme levels decreased and the levels of the majority of lipid, inflammatory, and fibrosis biomarkers improved in the lanifibranor groups. The dropout rate for adverse events was less than 5% and was similar across the trial groups. Diarrhea, nausea, peripheral edema, anemia, and weight gain occurred more frequently with lanifibranor than with placebo. CONCLUSIONS: In this phase 2b trial involving patients with active NASH, the percentage of patients who had a decrease of at least 2 points in the SAF-A score without worsening of fibrosis was significantly higher with the 1200-mg dose of lanifibranor than with placebo. These findings support further assessment of lanifibranor in phase 3 trials. (Funded by Inventiva Pharma; NATIVE ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03008070.).

AGA Clinical Practice Update on the Role of Noninvasive Biomarkers in the Evaluation and Management of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Expert Review.

DESCRIPTION: The purpose of this American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Clinical Practice Update Expert Review is to provide clinicians with guidance on the use of noninvasive tests (NITs) in the evaluation and management of patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD affects nearly 30% of the global population and is a growing cause of end-stage liver disease and liver-related health care resource utilization. However, only a minority of all patients with NAFLD experience a liver-related outcome. It is therefore critically important for clinicians to assess prognosis and identify those with increased risk of disease progression and negative clinical outcomes at the time of initial assessment. It is equally important to assess disease trajectory over time, particularly in response to currently available therapeutic approaches. The reference standard for assessment of prognosis and disease monitoring is histologic examination of liver biopsy specimens. There are, however, many limitations of liver biopsies and their reading that have limited their use in routine practice. The utilization of NITs facilitates risk stratification of patients and longitudinal assessment of disease progression for patients with NAFLD. This clinical update provides best practice advice based on a review of the literature on the utilization of NITs in the management of NAFLD for clinicians. Accordingly, a combination of available evidence and consensus-based expert opinion, without formal rating of the strength and quality of the evidence, was used to develop these best practice advice statements. METHODS: This Expert Review was commissioned and approved by the AGA Institute Clinical Practice Updates Committee and the AGA Governing Board to provide timely guidance on a topic of high clinical importance to the AGA membership and underwent internal peer review by the Clinical Practice Updates Committee and external peer review through standard procedures of Gastroenterology. These best practice advice statements were drawn from a review of the published literature and from expert opinion. Because systematic reviews were not performed, these best practice advice statements do not carry formal ratings of the quality of evidence or strength of the presented considerations. Best Practice Advice Statements BEST PRACTICE ADVICE 1: NITs can be used for risk stratification in the diagnostic evaluation of patients with NAFLD. BEST PRACTICE ADVICE 2: A Fibrosis 4 Index score <1.3 is associated with strong negative predictive value for advanced hepatic fibrosis and may be useful for exclusion of advanced hepatic fibrosis in patients with NAFLD. BEST PRACTICE ADVICE 3: A combination of 2 or more NITs combining serum biomarkers and/or imaging-based biomarkers is preferred for staging and risk stratification of patients with NAFLD whose Fibrosis 4 Index score is >1.3. BEST PRACTICE ADVICE 4: Use of NITs in accordance with manufacturer's specifications (eg, not in patients with ascites or pacemakers) can minimize risk of discordant results and adverse events. BEST PRACTICE ADVICE 5: NITs should be interpreted with context and consideration of pertinent clinical data (eg, physical examination, biochemical, radiographic, and endoscopic) to optimize positive predictive value in the identification of patients with advanced fibrosis. BEST PRACTICE ADVICE 6: Liver biopsy should be considered for patients with NIT results that are indeterminate or discordant; conflict with other clinical, laboratory, or radiologic findings; or when alternative etiologies for liver disease are suspected. BEST PRACTICE ADVICE 7: Serial longitudinal monitoring using NITs for assessment of disease progression or regression may inform clinical management (ie, response to lifestyle modification or therapeutic intervention). BEST PRACTICE ADVICE 8: Patients with NAFLD and NITs results suggestive of advanced fibrosis (F3) or cirrhosis (F4) should be considered for surveillance of liver complications (eg, hepatocellular carcinoma screening and variceal screening per Baveno criteria). Patients with NAFLD and NITs suggestive of advanced hepatic fibrosis (F3) or (F4), should be monitored with serial liver stiffness measurement; vibration controlled transient elastography; or magnetic resonance elastography, given its correlation with clinically significant portal hypertension and clinical decompensation.

Cenicriviroc Lacked Efficacy to Treat Liver Fibrosis in Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis: AURORA Phase III Randomized Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Cenicriviroc (CVC) is a novel, orally administered, chemokine receptor type 2 and 5 antagonist that showed antifibrotic potential in preclinical and phase IIb studies of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Herein, we report efficacy and safety results from the phase III study. METHODS: The AURORA (A Study for the Efficacy and Safety of CVC for the Treatment of Liver Fibrosis in Adults With NASH) study was a phase III, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 2-part study of patients with NASH and stage 2/3 liver fibrosis. Adults, 18-75 years of age, were randomized to CVC 150 mg or placebo once daily for 12 months (part 1) or 60 months (part 2). Liver biopsies were performed at screening, month 12, and early study discontinuation or termination. The primary efficacy endpoint was the proportion of patients with fibrosis improvement ≥1 stage without worsening of steatohepatitis at month 12 relative to screening. Adverse events were assessed throughout the study. RESULTS: A total of 1778 patients were randomized and discontinued (part 1: n = 1293; part 2: n = 485). In part 1, at month 12, a similar proportion of patients receiving CVC or placebo achieved the primary endpoint (22.3% vs 25.5%; odds ratio, 0.84; 95% confidence interval, 0.63-1.10; P = .21) and complete resolution of steatohepatitis without worsening of fibrosis (23.0% vs 27.2%; P = .21). The safety profile was generally comparable across treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study did not demonstrate the efficacy of CVC for treating liver fibrosis assessed by histology in adults with NASH; however, CVC was safe and well tolerated in patients with NASH and liver fibrosis. (ClinicalTrials.gov, Number: NCT03028740).

Pegbelfermin in Patients With Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis and Stage 3 Fibrosis (FALCON 1): A Randomized Phase 2b Study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Pegbelfermin is a polyethlene glycol-conjugated analog of human fibroblast growth factor 21, a nonmitogenic hormone that regulates energy metabolism. This phase 2b study evaluated 48-week pegbelfermin treatment in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and stage 3 (bridging) fibrosis. METHODS: The FALCON 1 study (NCT03486899) was a multicenter, randomized (1:1:1:1), double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Patients with biopsy-confirmed NASH and stage 3 fibrosis (N = 197) received weekly subcutaneous pegbelfermin (10, 20, or 40 mg) or placebo injections for 48 weeks. The week 24 primary endpoint was a ≥1-point decrease in fibrosis score without NASH worsening or NASH improvement without fibrosis worsening; pegbelfermin dose response was assessed using a Cochran-Armitage trend test across proportions (1-sided α = 0.05). Secondary/exploratory endpoints included histological and noninvasive measures of steatosis, fibrosis, and liver injury/inflammation. RESULTS: At week 24, the primary endpoint was met by 14% (placebo) vs 24%-31% (pegbelfermin arms); statistical significance was not reached due to lack of pegbelfermin dose response (P = .134). At weeks 24 and 48, more patients who received pegbelfermin had ≥30% relative reductions in hepatic fat fraction (magnetic resonance imaging-proton density fat fraction) vs placebo, although no differences reached statistical significance. In the pegbelfermin arms, improvements in liver fibrosis (magnetic resonance elastography and N-terminal type III collagen propeptide) and liver injury/inflammation (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase) were observed vs placebo. Adverse events occurred at similar frequencies across arms. No treatment-related serious adverse events were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The FALCON 1 study did not meet its primary endpoint; a ≥1-point decrease in fibrosis score without NASH worsening or NASH improvement without fibrosis worsening assessed via biopsy. Pegbelfermin was generally well tolerated during 48 weeks of treatment.

Pegbelfermin in Patients With Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis and Compensated Cirrhosis (FALCON 2): A Randomized Phase 2b Study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Pegbelfermin is a polyethylene glycol-conjugated analog of human fibroblast growth factor 21, a nonmitogenic hormone that regulates energy metabolism. This phase 2b study evaluated 48-week pegbelfermin treatment in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) with compensated cirrhosis. METHODS: FALCON 2 (NCT03486912) was a randomized (1:1:1:1), double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Eligible adults had biopsy-confirmed NASH and stage 4 fibrosis. Pegbelfermin (10, 20, or 40 mg) or placebo was injected subcutaneously once weekly. The primary endpoint was 1 or more stages of improvement in the NASH Clinical Research Network fibrosis score without NASH worsening at week 48; pegbelfermin dose response was assessed using a Cochran-Armitage trend test across proportions (1-sided α = .05). Additional endpoints included histologic and noninvasive measures of steatosis, fibrosis, and liver injury/inflammation. RESULTS: Overall, 155 patients were randomized, and 154 patients received treatment. At week 48, 24% to 28% of the pegbelfermin arms had primary endpoint responses vs 31% of the placebo arm (P = .361). Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease activity score improvements were more frequent with pegbelfermin vs placebo and were driven primarily by reduced lobular inflammation. Numerically higher proportions of the pegbelfermin arms had liver stiffness (magnetic resonance elastography) and steatosis (magnetic resonance imaging-proton density fat fraction) improvements vs placebo; these differences were not statistically significant. Mean N-terminal type III collagen propeptide, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase values were numerically lower in the 20- and/or 40-mg pegbelfermin arms compared with placebo. Serious adverse events were more frequent with pegbelfermin vs placebo, although none were treatment related. One patient (40-mg pegbelfermin) discontinued treatment because of a treatment-emergent adverse event (worsening ascites). CONCLUSIONS: FALCON 2 did not meet its primary endpoint of 1 or more stages of improvement in the NASH Clinical Research Network fibrosis without NASH worsening assessed via biopsy. Pegbelfermin generally was well tolerated in this advanced NASH population.

Targeting senescent hepatocytes using the thrombomodulin-PAR1 inhibitor vorapaxar ameliorates NAFLD progression.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Senescent hepatocytes accumulate in parallel with fibrosis progression during NASH. The mechanisms that enable progressive expansion of nonreplicating cell populations and the significance of that process in determining NASH outcomes are unclear. Senescing cells upregulate thrombomodulin-protease-activated receptor-1 (THBD-PAR1) signaling to remain viable. Vorapaxar blocks the activity of that pathway. We used vorapaxar to determine if and how THBD-PAR1 signaling promotes fibrosis progression in NASH. APPROACH AND RESULTS: We evaluated the THBD-PAR1 pathway in liver biopsies from patients with NAFLD. Chow-fed mice were treated with viral vectors to overexpress p16 in hepatocytes and induce replicative senescence. Effects on the THBD-PAR1 axis and regenerative capacity were assessed; the transcriptome of p16-overexpressing hepatocytes was characterized, and we examined how conditioned medium from senescent but viable (dubbed "undead") hepatocytes reprograms HSCs. Mouse models of NASH caused by genetic obesity or Western diet/CCl 4 were treated with vorapaxar to determine effects on hepatocyte senescence and liver damage. Inducing senescence upregulates the THBD-PAR1 signaling axis in hepatocytes and induces their expression of fibrogenic factors, including hedgehog ligands. Hepatocyte THBD-PAR1 signaling increases in NAFLD and supports sustained hepatocyte senescence that limits effective liver regeneration and promotes maladaptive repair. Inhibiting PAR1 signaling with vorapaxar interrupts this process, reduces the burden of 'undead' senescent cells, and safely improves NASH and fibrosis despite ongoing lipotoxic stress. CONCLUSION: The THBD-PAR1 signaling axis is a novel therapeutic target for NASH because blocking this pathway prevents accumulation of senescing but viable hepatocytes that generate factors that promote maladaptive liver repair.

Tropifexor plus cenicriviroc combination versus monotherapy in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis: Results from the phase 2b TANDEM study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: With distinct mechanisms of action, the combination of tropifexor (TXR) and cenicriviroc (CVC) may provide an effective treatment for NASH. This randomized, multicenter, double-blind, phase 2b study assessed the safety and efficacy of TXR and CVC combination, compared with respective monotherapies. APPROACH AND RESULTS: Patients (N = 193) were randomized 1:1:1:1 to once-daily TXR 140 µg (TXR 140 ), CVC 150 mg (CVC), TXR 140 µg + CVC 150 mg (TXR 140 + CVC), or TXR 90 µg + CVC 150 mg (TXR 90 + CVC) for 48 weeks. The primary and secondary end points were safety and histological improvement, respectively. Rates of adverse events (AEs) were similar across treatment groups. Pruritus was the most frequently experienced AE, with highest incidence in the TXR 140 group (40.0%). In TXR and combination groups, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) decreased from baseline to 48 weeks (geometric mean change: -21%, TXR 140 ; -16%, TXR 140 + CVC; -13%, TXR 90 + CVC; and +17%, CVC). Reductions in body weight observed at week 24 (mean changes from baseline: TXR 140 , -2.5 kg; TXR 140 + CVC, -1.7 kg; TXR 90 + CVC, -1.0 kg; and CVC, -0.1 kg) were sustained to week 48. At least 1-point improvement in fibrosis stage/steatohepatitis resolution without worsening of fibrosis was observed in 32.3%/25.8%, 31.6%/15.8%, 29.7%/13.5%, and 32.5%/22.5% of patients in the TXR 140 , CVC, TXR 140 + CVC, and TXR 90 + CVC groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The safety profile of TXR + CVC combination was similar to respective monotherapies, with no new signals. TXR monotherapy showed sustained ALT and body weight decreases. No substantial incremental efficacy was observed with TXR + CVC combination on ALT, body weight, or in histological end points compared with monotherapy.

A multisociety Delphi consensus statement on new fatty liver disease nomenclature.

The principal limitations of the terms NAFLD and NASH are the reliance on exclusionary confounder terms and the use of potentially stigmatising language. This study set out to determine if content experts and patient advocates were in favor of a change in nomenclature and/or definition. A modified Delphi process was led by three large pan-national liver associations. The consensus was defined a priori as a supermajority (67%) vote. An independent committee of experts external to the nomenclature process made the final recommendation on the acronym and its diagnostic criteria. A total of 236 panelists from 56 countries participated in 4 online surveys and 2 hybrid meetings. Response rates across the 4 survey rounds were 87%, 83%, 83%, and 78%, respectively. Seventy-four percent of respondents felt that the current nomenclature was sufficiently flawed to consider a name change. The terms "nonalcoholic" and "fatty" were felt to be stigmatising by 61% and 66% of respondents, respectively. Steatotic liver disease was chosen as an overarching term to encompass the various aetiologies of steatosis. The term steatohepatitis was felt to be an important pathophysiological concept that should be retained. The name chosen to replace NAFLD was metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. There was consensus to change the definition to include the presence of at least 1 of 5 cardiometabolic risk factors. Those with no metabolic parameters and no known cause were deemed to have cryptogenic steatotic liver disease. A new category, outside pure metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, termed metabolic and alcohol related/associated liver disease (MetALD), was selected to describe those with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, who consume greater amounts of alcohol per week (140-350 g/wk and 210-420 g/wk for females and males, respectively). The new nomenclature and diagnostic criteria are widely supported and nonstigmatising, and can improve awareness and patient identification.

Osteopontin Promotes Cholangiocyte Secretion of Chemokines to Support Macrophage Recruitment and Fibrosis in MASH.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Osteopontin (OPN) promotes the ductular reaction and is a major driver of chronic liver disease (CLD) progression. Although CLD is characterised by the accumulation of inflammatory cells including macrophages around the peri-portal regions, the influence of OPN on recruitment is unclear. We investigated the role of OPN in cholangiocyte chemokine production and macrophage recruitment by combining in vivo, in vitro, and in silico approaches. METHODS: The effects of OPN on cholangiocyte chemokine production and macrophage migration were assessed in culture, alongside RNA-sequencing to identify genes and pathways affected by OPN depletion. Murine liver injury models were used to assess liver chemokine expression and liver macrophage/monocyte recruitment. OPN and chemokine expression were analysed in liver tissue and plasma from biopsy-proven metabolic dysfunction-associated alcoholic steatohepatitis (MASH) patients. RESULTS: OPN-knockdown in cholangiocytes reduced chemokine secretion. RNA-sequencing showed OPN-related effects clustered around immunity, chemotaxis and chemokine production. Macrophage exposure to cholangiocyte-conditioned media showed OPN-supported migration via chemokines chemokine (C-C motif) ligand (CCL)2, CCL5 and chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand (CXCL)1. These effects were related to NF-κB signalling. Murine liver fibrosis was accompanied by upregulated liver OPN, CCL2, CCL5 and CXCL1 mRNA, and accumulation of liver cluster of differentiation (CD)11b/F4/80+CC chemokine receptors (CCR2)high macrophages but treatment with OPN-specific neutralising aptamers reduced fibrosis, chemokine mRNAs and accumulation of liver CD11b/F4/80+CCR2high/lymphocyte antigen 6 complexhigh inflammatory monocytes. In human MASH, liver OPN correlated with chemokines CCL2 and IL8 in association with portal injury and fibrosis. Plasma OPN, serum CCL2 and IL8 also increased with fibrosis stage. CONCLUSIONS: OPN promotes cholangiocyte chemokine secretion and the accumulation of pro-inflammatory monocytes. These data support neutralisation of OPN as an anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic strategy.

The role of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis.

Despite its considerable and growing burden, there are currently no Food and Drug Administration-approved treatments for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease or its progressive form, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Several glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) and other agents are in various phases of clinical development for use in MASH; an ideal therapy should reduce liver fat content, improve chronic liver disease, help mitigate metabolic comorbidities and decrease all-cause mortality. Because of interconnected disease mechanisms, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease/MASH often coexists with type 2 diabetes (T2D), obesity and cardiovascular disease. Various GLP-1RAs are Food and Drug Administration-approved for use in T2D, and two, liraglutide and semaglutide, are approved for overweight and obesity. GLP-1RAs decrease glucose levels and body weight and improve cardiovascular outcomes in people with T2D who are at high risk of cardiovascular disease. In addition, GLP-1RAs have been reported to reduce liver fat content and liver enzymes, reduce oxidative stress and improve hepatic de novo lipogenesis and the histopathology of MASH. Weight loss may contribute to these effects; however, the exact mechanisms are unknown. Adverse events that are commonly associated with GLP-1RAs include vomiting, nausea and diarrhoea. There is a lack of evidence from meta-analyses regarding the increased risk of acute pancreatitis and various forms of cancer with GLP-1RAs. Large-scale, phase 3 trials, which will provide definitive data on GLP-1RAs and other potential therapies in MASH, are ongoing. Given the spectrum of modalities under investigation, it is hoped that these trials will support the identification of pharmacotherapies that provide clinical benefit for patients with MASH.

A multisociety Delphi consensus statement on new fatty liver disease nomenclature.

The principal limitations of the terms NAFLD and NASH are the reliance on exclusionary confounder terms and the use of potentially stigmatising language. This study set out to determine if content experts and patient advocates were in favor of a change in nomenclature and/or definition. A modified Delphi process was led by three large pan-national liver associations. The consensus was defined a priori as a supermajority (67%) vote. An independent committee of experts external to the nomenclature process made the final recommendation on the acronym and its diagnostic criteria. A total of 236 panelists from 56 countries participated in 4 online surveys and 2 hybrid meetings. Response rates across the 4 survey rounds were 87%, 83%, 83%, and 78%, respectively. Seventy-four percent of respondents felt that the current nomenclature was sufficiently flawed to consider a name change. The terms "nonalcoholic" and "fatty" were felt to be stigmatising by 61% and 66% of respondents, respectively. Steatotic liver disease was chosen as an overarching term to encompass the various aetiologies of steatosis. The term steatohepatitis was felt to be an important pathophysiological concept that should be retained. The name chosen to replace NAFLD was metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. There was consensus to change the definition to include the presence of at least 1 of 5 cardiometabolic risk factors. Those with no metabolic parameters and no known cause were deemed to have cryptogenic steatotic liver disease. A new category, outside pure metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, termed metabolic and alcohol related/associated liver disease (MetALD), was selected to describe those with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, who consume greater amounts of alcohol per week (140-350 g/wk and 210-420 g/wk for females and males, respectively). The new nomenclature and diagnostic criteria are widely supported and nonstigmatising, and can improve awareness and patient identification.

Liver stiffness thresholds to predict disease progression and clinical outcomes in bridging fibrosis and cirrhosis.

OBJECTIVE: In retrospective studies, liver stiffness (LS) by vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) is associated with the risk of liver decompensation in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), but prospective data in biopsy-confirmed cohorts with advanced fibrosis are limited. We aimed to establish thresholds for LS by VCTE that predict progression to cirrhosis among patients with bridging fibrosis and hepatic decompensation among patients with cirrhosis due to NASH. DESIGN: We used data from four randomised placebo-controlled trials of selonsertib and simtuzumab in participants with advanced fibrosis (F3-F4). The trials were discontinued due to lack of efficacy. Liver fibrosis was staged centrally at baseline and week 48 (selonsertib study) or week 96 (simtuzumab study). Associations between LS by VCTE with disease progression were determined using Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. RESULTS: Progression to cirrhosis occurred in 16% (103/664) of participants with bridging fibrosis and adjudicated liver-related events occurred in 4% (27/734) of participants with baseline cirrhosis. The optimal baseline LS thresholds were ≥16.6 kPa for predicting progression to cirrhosis, and ≥30.7 kPa for predicting liver-related events. Baseline LS ≥16.6 kPa (adjusted HR 3.99; 95% CI 2.66 to 5.98, p<0.0001) and a ≥5 kPa (and ≥20%) increase (adjusted HR 1.98; 95% CI 1.20 to 3.26, p=0.008) were independent predictors of progression to cirrhosis in participants with bridging fibrosis, while baseline LS ≥30.7 kPa (adjusted HR 10.13, 95% CI 4.38 to 23.41, p<0.0001) predicted liver-related events in participants with cirrhosis. CONCLUSION: The LS thresholds identified in this study may be useful for risk stratification of NASH patients with advanced fibrosis.

A proposal from the liver forum for the management of comorbidities in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis therapeutic trials.

The current document has been developed by the Liver Forum who mandated the NAFLD-Associated Comorbidities Working Group - a multistakeholder group comprised of experts from academic medicine, industry and patient associations - to identify aspects of diverse comorbidities frequently associated with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) that can interfere with the conduct of therapeutic trials and, in particular, impact efficacy and safety results. The objective of this paper is to propose guidance for the management of relevant comorbidities in both candidates and actual participants in NASH therapeutic trials. We relied on specific guidelines from scientific societies, when available, but adapted them to the particulars of NASH trials with the aim of addressing multiple interacting requirements such as maintaining patient safety, reaching holistic therapeutic objectives, minimising confounding effects on efficacy and safety of investigational agents and allowing for trial completion. We divided the field of action into: first, analysis and stabilisation of the patient's condition before inclusion in the trial and, second, management of comorbidities during trial conduct. For the former, we discussed the concept of acceptable vs. optimal control of comorbidities, defined metabolic and ponderal stability prior to randomisation and weighed the pros and cons of a run-in period. For the latter, we analysed non-hepatological comorbid conditions for changes or acute events possibly occurring during the trial, including changes in alcohol consumption, in order to detail when specific interventions are necessary and how best to manage concomitant drug intake in line with methodological constraints. These recommendations are intended to act as a guide for clinical trialists and are open to further refinement when additional data become available.

Results from a new efficacy and safety analysis of the REGENERATE trial of obeticholic acid for treatment of pre-cirrhotic fibrosis due to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Obeticholic acid (OCA) is a first-in-class farnesoid X receptor agonist and antifibrotic agent in development for the treatment of pre-cirrhotic liver fibrosis due to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). We aimed to validate the original 18-month liver biopsy analysis from the phase III REGENERATE trial of OCA for the treatment of NASH with a consensus panel analysis, provide additional histology data in a larger population, and evaluate safety from >8,000 total patient-years' exposure with nearly 1,000 participants receiving study drug for >4 years. METHODS: Digitized whole-slide images were evaluated independently by panels of three pathologists using the NASH Clinical Research Network scoring system. Primary endpoints were (1) ≥1 stage improvement in fibrosis with no worsening of NASH or (2) NASH resolution with no worsening of fibrosis. Safety was assessed by laboratory values and adverse events. RESULTS: Prespecified efficacy analyses included 931 participants. The proportion of participants achieving a ≥1 stage improvement in fibrosis with no worsening of NASH was 22.4% for OCA 25 mg vs. 9.6% for placebo (p <0.0001). More participants receiving OCA 25 mg vs. placebo achieved NASH resolution with no worsening of fibrosis (6.5% vs. 3.5%, respectively; p = 0.093). Histology data in a larger population of 1,607 participants supported these results. Safety data included 2,477 participants. The incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), serious TEAEs, and deaths was not substantively different across treatment groups. Pruritus was the most common TEAE. Rates of adjudicated hepatic, renal, and cardiovascular events were low and similar across treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm the antifibrotic effect of OCA 25 mg. OCA was generally well tolerated over long-term dosing. These data support a positive benefit:risk profile in patients with pre-cirrhotic liver fibrosis due to NASH. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS: Patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) often have liver scarring (fibrosis), which causes an increased risk of liver-related illness and death. Preventing progression of fibrosis to cirrhosis or reversing fibrosis are the main goals of drug development for NASH. In this clinical trial of obeticholic acid (OCA) in patients with NASH (REGENERATE), we reaffirmed our previous results demonstrating that OCA was superior to placebo in improving fibrosis using a more rigorous consensus panel analysis of liver biopsies taken at month 18. We also showed that OCA treatment resulted in dose-dependent reductions of serum liver biochemistries and liver stiffness measurements compared with placebo, even in participants in whom histologic fibrosis did not change at 18 months, providing evidence that the benefit of OCA extends beyond what is captured by the ordinal NASH CRN scoring system. OCA was well tolerated with a favorable safety profile supporting a positive benefit: risk profile in patients with pre-cirrhotic liver fibrosis due to NASH.

A multisociety Delphi consensus statement on new fatty liver disease nomenclature.

The principal limitations of the terms NAFLD and NASH are the reliance on exclusionary confounder terms and the use of potentially stigmatising language. This study set out to determine if content experts and patient advocates were in favour of a change in nomenclature and/or definition. A modified Delphi process was led by three large pan-national liver associations. The consensus was defined a priori as a supermajority (67%) vote. An independent committee of experts external to the nomenclature process made the final recommendation on the acronym and its diagnostic criteria. A total of 236 panellists from 56 countries participated in 4 online surveys and 2 hybrid meetings. Response rates across the 4 survey rounds were 87%, 83%, 83%, and 78%, respectively. Seventy-four percent of respondents felt that the current nomenclature was sufficiently flawed to consider a name change. The terms "nonalcoholic" and "fatty" were felt to be stigmatising by 61% and 66% of respondents, respectively. Steatotic liver disease was chosen as an overarching term to encompass the various aetiologies of steatosis. The term steatohepatitis was felt to be an important pathophysiological concept that should be retained. The name chosen to replace NAFLD was metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). There was consensus to change the definition to include the presence of at least 1 of 5 cardiometabolic risk factors. Those with no metabolic parameters and no known cause were deemed to have cryptogenic steatotic liver disease. A new category, outside pure metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, termed metabolic and alcohol related/associated liver disease (MetALD), was selected to describe those with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, who consume greater amounts of alcohol per week (140-350 g/wk and 210-420 g/wk for females and males, respectively). The new nomenclature and diagnostic criteria are widely supported and non-stigmatising, and can improve awareness and patient identification.

MRI Quantification of Placebo Effect in Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Clinical Trials.

Background Several early-phase clinical trials for the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) use liver fat content as measured with the MRI-derived proton density fat fraction (PDFF) for a primary outcome. These trials have shown relative reductions in liver fat content with placebo treatment alone, a phenomenon termed "the placebo effect." This phenomenon confounds the results and limits generalizability to future trials. Purpose To quantify the effect of placebo treatment on change in the absolute PDFF value and to identify variables associated with this observed change. Materials and Methods This is a secondary analysis of prospectively collected data from seven early phase clinical trials that included participants with a diagnosis of NASH based on MRI and/or liver biopsy who received placebo treatment. The primary outcome was a greater than or equal to 30% relative reduction in PDFF after placebo treatment. Normalization of PDFF, relative change in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level, and normalization of ALT level were also examined. An exploratory linear mixed-effects model was used to estimate an overall change in absolute PDFF and to explore parameters associated with this response. Results A total of 187 participants (median age, 52 years [IQR, 43-60 years]; 114 women) who received placebo treatment were evaluated. A greater than or equal to 30% relative reduction in baseline PDFF was seen in 20% of participants after 12 weeks of placebo treatment (10 of 49), 9% of participants after 16 weeks (two of 22), and 28% of participants after 24 weeks (34 of 122). A repeated-measures linear mixed-effects model estimated a decrease of 2.3 units (median relative reduction of 13%) in absolute PDFF values after 24 weeks of placebo treatment (95% CI: 3.2, 1.4; P < .001). Conclusion In this analysis of 187 participants, a clinically relevant decrease in PDFF was observed with placebo treatment. Based on the study model, assuming an absolute PDFF decrease of approximately 3 units (upper limit of 95% CI) to account for this "placebo effect" in sample size calculations for future clinical trials is suggested. Clinical trial registration nos. NCT01066364, NCT01766713, NCT01963845, NCT02443116, NCT02546609, NCT02316717, and NCT02442687 © RSNA, 2022 Online supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Yoon in this issue.

PAR2 promotes impaired glucose uptake and insulin resistance in NAFLD through GLUT2 and Akt interference.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Insulin resistance and poor glycemic control are key drivers of the development of NAFLD and have recently been shown to be associated with fibrosis progression in NASH. However, the underlying mechanisms involving dysfunctional glucose metabolism and relationship with NAFLD/NASH progression remain poorly understood. We set out to determine whether protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2), a sensor of extracellular inflammatory and coagulation proteases, links NAFLD and NASH with liver glucose metabolism. APPROACH AND RESULTS: Here, we demonstrate that hepatic expression of PAR2 increases in patients and mice with diabetes and NAFLD/NASH. Mechanistic studies using whole-body and liver-specific PAR2-knockout mice reveal that hepatic PAR2 plays an unexpected role in suppressing glucose internalization, glycogen storage, and insulin signaling through a bifurcating Gq -dependent mechanism. PAR2 activation downregulates the major glucose transporter of liver, GLUT2, through Gq -MAPK-FoxA3 and inhibits insulin-Akt signaling through Gq -calcium-CaMKK2 pathways. Therapeutic dosing with a liver-homing pepducin, PZ-235, blocked PAR2-Gq signaling and afforded significant improvements in glycemic indices and HbA1c levels in severely diabetic mice. CONCLUSIONS: This work provides evidence that PAR2 is a major regulator of liver glucose homeostasis and a potential target for the treatment of diabetes and NASH.