Researchers at McMaster University have shared exciting results from early studies on a new drug that could help treat and even reverse liver fibrosis. Liver fibrosis is a condition where scar tissue builds up in the liver due to disease.
If left untreated, it can lead to liver failure or liver cancer. Right now, there are very few treatments available for this condition in Canada. The new research, published in the journal Cell Metabolism, offers new hope for the millions of people living with liver d…
Liver fibrosis often happens in people who have a condition called MASH, which stands for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis. This condition is common in people with obesity or type 2 diabetes.
Besides liver cancer, liver fibrosis can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, and in many cases, people may eventually need a liver transplant. Despite how serious these risks are, there are currently no approved drugs in Canada to treat MASH. Most people are told to follow a healthy diet, e…
Dr. Greg Steinberg, a professor at McMaster and the lead author of the study, says that while a healthy lifestyle may help slow the disease, it does not reverse the damage already done.
However, early lab studies suggest that the new drug candidate could do just that. The drug was developed by Espervita Therapeutics, a company that Steinberg co-founded. His research team, working with scientists from the US, France, and Australia, showed in lab tests that the new drug had powerful effects on the liver.
The drug, called EVT0185, is a small molecule compound that was first explored as a possible treatment for liver cancer. In earlier studies, it was shown to help stop tumor growth. But now, researchers are seeing that it may also help treat MASH and reverse the scarring caused by liver fibrosis.
In the lab, the drug helped control blood sugar, lower cholesterol, and reduce fat buildup in the liver. These effects are especially important because people with MASH often struggle with high blood sugar and c…
The drug works by targeting two enzymes that help manage how the body makes and burns fat. These enzymes are called ACLY and ACSS2. The new drug acts like a “release valve” in the body.
Instead of letting harmful fats build up in the liver and bloodstream, it helps the body get rid of them through urine. This process can help stop further damage to the liver and may even allow it to heal.
According to Dr. Steinberg, this drug could fill a big gap in current treatments for liver disease. Most treatments today don’t help everyone and don’t reverse the damage already done.
This new drug might be able to do both. It also offers extra benefits by helping with blood sugar and cholesterol, which could help prevent other problems like diabetes and heart disease.
While these early results are promising, the drug is still in the testing stage. The researchers hope to begin human clinical trials by 2027, after more safety and preclinical studies are completed. If successful, this drug could change how doctors treat serious liver disease and improve the lives of millions of people around the world.
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.
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