Hep Magazine

2 weeks ago | hepmag.com | Sukanya Charuchandra

In a major clinical trial across South Korea and Taiwan, researchers found that starting antiviral therapy for hepatitis B early—before signs of liver damage appear—significantly reduced the risk for liver cancer and other severe complications. These findings, published in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology, support updated treatment guidelines that primarily focus on viral load, not liver enzyme levels.

3 weeks ago | hepmag.com | Sukanya Charuchandra

For people with liver cirrhosis and recurrent hepatic encephalopathy, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) may offer a new line of defense. Researchers found that FMT—delivered by capsule or enema and from either vegan or omnivorous donors—was safe and associated with significantly lower rates of encephalopathy recurrence, according to research published in the Journal of Hepatology. Notably, the benefits were associated with changes in gut bacteria types.

1 month ago | hepmag.com | Liz Highleyman

Treatment of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) may soon be added to the growing list of indications for GLP-1 agonists such as semaglutide (sold as Ozempic and Wegovy). Some experts, however, stress that liver-directed medications are still needed for people with fibrosis or cirrhosis.

2 months ago | hepmag.com | Sukanya Charuchandra

Without better detection and effective treatment, the clinical burden of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MASLD) is expected to rise dramatically over the next 30 years, with cases of decompensated cirrhosis more than tripling, liver cancer nearly doubling and liver transplants increasing almost fourfold. Researchers generated these projections, which were published in JAMA Network Open, using a simulation model.

Feb 24, 2025 | hepmag.com | Sukanya Charuchandra

Among people with HIV and hepatitis B virus (HBV) coinfection, “superinfection” with hepatitis D virus (HDV) is a serious risk factor for liver-related death despite antiviral treatment, according to study findings published in Clinical Infectious Diseases. HIV and hepatitis B have overlapping transmission routes, and around 10% of people living with HIV worldwide also have HBV.