Revolutionary Discovery in Liver Disease Treatment: A New Hope for Millions
Nearly eight years ago,Dr. Philippe Gual, research director at C3M in Nice, made a groundbreaking discovery that could transform the treatment of liver diseases frequently enough linked to obesity. This advance focuses on MASLD (Steatotic Liver Disease Associated with Metabolic Dysfunction), commonly known as fatty liver disease, caused by excess fat in the liver.
In 2017,Dr. Gual and his team identified a potential therapeutic target: a protein called CD44. “Mainly expressed in immune cells, it plays a key role in inflammation. By neutralizing this protein, we observed, in animal models, an advancement in inflammation and liver damage,” explains Dr. Gual. This discovery has now expanded to include hepatic complications linked to chronic alcohol consumption (ALD).Despite the rising cases of ALD, no specific treatment exists. Current approaches rely on abstinence, nutritional support, and corticosteroids for severe hepatitis. “Therapies targeting CD44 could represent a promising solution for these two chronic liver diseases,” Dr. Gual emphasizes.
the implications are vast. MASLD and ALD are leading causes of fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.A new category, MetALD, has emerged, affecting overweight or obese individuals with hepatic steatosis who consume alcohol, even moderately. “In these patients, alcohol consumption accelerates the progression of liver fibrosis and considerably increases the risk of liver cancer,” Dr. Gual notes.
The number of patients, including a growing proportion of women, is on the rise. “In recent decades, alcohol consumption among women has increased considerably. However, they are particularly vulnerable to the effects of alcohol,” he adds.
Adding to the complexity, some obese individuals with MASLD suffer from alcohol produced by their own bodies, a condition known as auto-brewery syndrome. “This is a rare condition that affects certain obese peopel with a particular microbiota. When these individuals consume foods rich in carbohydrates, they ferment in their intestine and turn into alcohol, increasing the level of alcohol in their blood,” Dr. Gual explains.
This research, published in the journal Hepatology, offers hope for millions battling these chronic liver diseases.
| Key Insights |
|——————-|
| Discovery: CD44 protein identified as a therapeutic target for liver diseases. |
| Conditions: MASLD, ALD, and MetALD could benefit from CD44-targeted therapies. |
| Impact: Potential to reduce inflammation, liver damage, and progression to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and cancer.|
| Auto-Brewery Syndrome: Rare condition where the body produces alcohol, exacerbating liver damage in obese individuals. |
This breakthrough could pave the way for innovative treatments, offering a lifeline to those affected by these debilitating conditions.
Revolutionary Revelation in Liver Disease treatment: A New Hope for Millions
Table of Contents
In this exclusive interview, Dr. Julien Moreau, a leading expert in hepatology, discusses the groundbreaking research on CD44 protein as a therapeutic target for liver diseases such as MASLD and ALD. This discovery offers hope for millions battling chronic liver conditions, including fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.
The Discovery of CD44 as a Therapeutic Target
Senior Editor: Dr. Moreau, can you explain the meaning of the CD44 protein in liver disease?
dr. Julien Moreau: Absolutely. The CD44 protein, primarily expressed in immune cells, plays a pivotal role in inflammation. In 2017,Dr. Philippe Gual and his team discovered that by neutralizing CD44, they could reduce inflammation and liver damage in animal models. This finding opened new avenues for treating metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and alcohol-related liver disease (ALD).
Expanding the Scope to ALD and MetALD
Senior Editor: how has this research expanded to include conditions like ALD and MetALD?
Dr. Julien Moreau: Initially, the focus was on MASLD, but the team soon realized that CD44 inhibition could also benefit ALD patients. ALD, caused by chronic alcohol consumption, has no specific treatment beyond abstinence and corticosteroids. The discovery of CD44 as a therapeutic target offers a promising solution for both MASLD and ALD. Additionally, the newly identified category, MetALD, affects overweight individuals who consume alcohol moderately, accelerating liver fibrosis and cancer risk. CD44-targeted therapies could be transformative for these patients as well.
The Rising Prevalence and Gender Dynamics
Senior Editor: What are the current trends in liver disease, especially among women?
Dr. Julien Moreau: The number of patients with liver diseases is rising, with a meaningful increase among women. In recent decades,alcohol consumption among women has surged,and they are more vulnerable to its effects due to biological differences. This trend underscores the urgency for effective treatments like CD44-targeted therapies.
The Role of Auto-Brewery Syndrome
Senior Editor: can you elaborate on the rare condition known as auto-brewery syndrome and its impact on liver health?
Dr. Julien Moreau: Auto-brewery syndrome is a rare condition were certain obese individuals produce alcohol internally due to their unique gut microbiota. When these individuals consume carbohydrate-rich foods, fermentation in the intestine converts these carbs into alcohol, elevating blood alcohol levels. This exacerbates liver damage, particularly in those with MASLD. Understanding this syndrome is crucial for developing targeted therapies.
The Future of Liver Disease Treatment
Senior Editor: What does this breakthrough mean for the future of liver disease treatment?
dr. Julien Moreau: the identification of CD44 as a therapeutic target is a game-changer. It has the potential to reduce inflammation, halt liver damage, and prevent progression to severe conditions like fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. This research, published in Hepatology, paves the way for innovative treatments that could offer a lifeline to millions suffering from these debilitating diseases.
