San Antonio has one of the highest rates of a serious liver condition called metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). This is largely because many people in the area have obesity and diabetes, which increase the risk of developing MASLD.
The disease causes fat to build up in the liver, leading to inflammation, scarring (fibrosis), and, in severe cases, liver failure or cancer. Currently, there is no approved drug that can stop the disease from getting worse, making it a major health concern.
A recent study published on January 31, 2024, in Nature Aging introduces a potential new drug that could help. Scientists believe this drug can remove harmful “zombie” cells from the liver and slow down the disease, possibly preventing cirrhosis (severe liver scarring) and liver cancer.
How the Drug Works
In people with MASLD, certain old and damaged cells called senescent cells build up in the liver. These cells have stopped dividing but continue to release harmful substances that cause inflammation and damage. Normally, the body clears these cells, but in people with liver disease, they accumulate and worsen the condition.
Scientists have been working on a type of drug called senolytics, which are designed to remove these harmful cells. While senolytics have shown promise in early research, none have been approved for use in humans because of safety concerns. However, this new study introduces a drug that may be both effective and safe.
The researchers, led by Professor Zhou from UT Health San Antonio, developed a drug that targets two proteins—BCL-xl and BCL-2—which help senescent cells survive. By blocking these proteins, the drug forces the cells to self-destruct. Since these proteins also play a role in some types of cancer, removing them may also help prevent liver cancer from forming.
Testing the Drug
The scientists tested the new drug in both lab-grown cells and mice with MASLD. The results were promising. The drug effectively removed harmful senescent cells from the liver, reduced fat buildup, and lowered the amount of scar tissue caused by liver damage. In mice that were already developing liver cancer, the drug reduced the number and size of tumors.
One of the most important findings was that the drug worked even in mice with advanced liver disease, as long as cancer had not fully developed. However, once liver cancer was fully established, the drug did not stop tumor growth unless the cancer depended on BCL-xl and BCL-2 for survival.
Why This Drug Is Different
Most senolytics remove all senescent cells, but some of these cells can actually be helpful in certain situations, such as healing wounds. This new drug is more selective, meaning it only targets harmful senescent cells in the liver. This could make it safer than other experimental treatments, which may have side effects like excessive bleeding.
Professor Zhou emphasized that this discovery is an important step toward developing safer drugs for MASLD and liver cancer. The researchers hope to refine the treatment and eventually test it in human clinical trials. If successful, this drug could provide a much-needed therapy for people at risk of serious liver disease.
Review and Analysis
This study offers hope for people suffering from MASLD, a disease that currently has no effective treatment. The new drug successfully removes harmful senescent cells, reduces liver damage, and slows cancer growth in mice. However, more research is needed to confirm its safety and effectiveness in humans.
One of the key strengths of this drug is its selectivity. Unlike other senolytics, it does not remove all senescent cells, which could make it safer for long-term use. Another promising aspect is that it works even in later stages of liver disease, as long as cancer has not fully developed.
However, a major limitation is that the drug does not stop the progression of all liver cancers. This means that while it may help prevent cancer from forming, it is unlikely to be a cure for advanced liver cancer.
Overall, this research is an exciting step forward. If future studies confirm the drug’s safety and effectiveness in humans, it could become an important treatment for MASLD and potentially other age-related diseases.
If you care about liver health, please read studies that refined fiber is link to liver cancer, and the best and worst foods for liver health.
For more health information, please see recent studies about how to boost your liver naturally, and simple ways to detox your liver.
The research findings can be found in Nature Aging.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
