Promising New Treatment Option for NASH-Related Fibrosis Discovered in UC San Diego Study
A recent study led by researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine explored a potential new treatment for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)-related fibrosis. The results, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, revealed that a drug called Pegozafermin, which mimics a hormone in the body known as fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), improved liver fibrosis and inflammation in NASH patients. This is significant as there are currently no FDA-approved therapies for NASH. The study involved 222 participants who were assigned either the drug or a placebo. Those who received the drug showed a significant improvement in liver fibrosis compared to those who received the placebo. The most common side effect reported was gastrointestinal discomfort. NASH is a type of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and approximately 24% of US adults have NAFLD, with about 6% having NASH. The next steps for this research involve a larger, international trial to further assess the drug’s safety and effectiveness. If successful, this drug could potentially benefit millions of NASH patients worldwide. The study was funded by 89bio, ENLIVEN, and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. The lead author of the study, Dr. Rohit Loomba, has disclosed various consultancy and research grant affiliations with pharmaceutical companies.