Major study aims to spare patients painful liver biopsies
NCT ID NCT06986447
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study follows 1,689 adults with fatty liver disease (MASLD) or MASLD with increased alcohol intake (MetALD) to see if non-invasive tests like MRI and Fibroscan can accurately track disease progression. The goal is to reduce the need for liver biopsies in future research and clinical care. Participants will be monitored for serious liver and heart outcomes over time.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Participants
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About 1,689 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Oct 2025
- Expected to finish
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Jun 2029
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
Participants in this study will be recruited solely from the clinical practices of the participating sites.
- Ages
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18 to 80 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: \- Inclusion Criteria: 1. Adults, 18-80, male or female. 2. Cohort A (MASH): Evidence of MASH (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis) with fibrosis stage 3 or higher based on MRE stiffness of \>3.63 kPa or liver biopsy. Cohort B (MetALD): Evidence of MetALD/ALD as defined by the AASLD nomenclature criteria and evidence of liver stiffness of 12 kPa or higher on VCTE. 3. Willingness to participate in the study. Exclusion criteria <!-- --> 1. Involvement in the planning and/or conduct of the study (including sponsors, clinic staff, and vendors) 2. Participation in another clinical study with intake of an investigational product during the last 60 days prior to Baseline 3. Participation in a large multinational observational cohort (local registry and biobank are allowed) Target disease exclusions 4. History of significant alcohol consumption for a period of more than 3 consecutive months within 1 year prior to baseline (For Cohort A only). 5. MELD score ≥12, as determined at baseline, due to liver disease. 6. Evidence of current, chronic liver diseases at the time of baseline: a. Primary biliary cholangitis b. Primary sclerosing cholangitis c. Chronic hepatitis B or D d. Hepatitis C, as defined by the presence of hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV) with detected circulating ribonucleic acid (RNA) within two years prior to Screening, or during Screening Period. e. HCV eradication by antiviral treatment less than three years prior to Screening. f. History or evidence of current active autoimmune hepatitis g. History or evidence of Wilson's disease h. History or evidence of alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency i. Evidence of genetic hemochromatosis (hereditary, primary) j. Evidence of drug-induced liver disease k. Known bile duct obstruction. l. Suspected or proven hepatocarcinoma, or metastatic tumor in the liver 7. Evidence of hepatic impairment or decompensation within 3 months prior to baseline, as defined by any of the following parameters: a. History of ascites, or hepatic encephalopathy b. History of variceal bleeding c. Serum albumin \< 3.5 g/dL, except as explained by non-hepatic causes. d. International Normalized Ratio (INR) ≥ 1.3, except for participants under anticoagulant treatment. o NOTE: INR may be repeated once to reassess eligibility e. Total bilirubin (TBL) ≥ 1.5 ULN o NOTE: Patients with Gilbert's Syndrome are eligible with a total bilirubin above 1.5 × ULN if reticulocyte count is within normal limits (typically 0.5% to 2.5%), hemoglobin is within normal limits (typically 13.5 to 17.5 g/dL for men or 12.0 to 15.5 g/dL for women), and direct bilirubin is \<20% of total bilirubin f. Platelet count \< 110,000/mm3 8. Prior history of medium or large varices 9. Bariatric surgery of any kind within 2 years prior to the baseline visit Medical History and Concurrent Disease Exclusions Cardiovascular diseases 10. Any of the following diseases or procedures within 24 weeks prior to baseline: 1. Myocardial infarction (MI) 2. Cardiac revascularization surgery (coronary artery bypass graft / percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (CABG / PTCA)) 3. Unstable angina 4. Transient ischemic attack, stroke or cerebrovascular disease Hematological and oncological diseases 11. Active malignancy with a complete remission date within 2 years prior to the baseline visit (except for treated basal cell carcinoma or treated squamous cell carcinoma of the skin or resected carcinoma of the cervix) Other exclusion conditions 12. Immunocompromised participants such as participants that underwent organ transplantation or are diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or participants with ongoing chemotherapy for stable malignant disease (such as a PD-1 inhibitor) 13. Any other known serious disease (such as major infection, clinically significant gastrointestinal disorder, major autoimmune disease) or other disease which in the Investigator's opinion would exclude the participant from the study. 14. Mental handicap, limited capacity of recognition, inability to follow the study procedures as evaluated by the Investigator, or any history of clinically important emotional and/or psychiatric illness. 15. Use of non-permitted concomitant medication within 8 weeks prior to the initial baseline visit (A transient intake \< 4 weeks may be allowed after approval of the Medical Monitor) 1. Vitamin E \>400 units per day. Participants on stable vitamin E therapy (same doses) for the last 12 weeks prior to baseline are eligible but the therapy should be maintained at stable dose throughout the study 2. Pioglitazone \>15 mg per day. Participants on stable pioglitazone therapy (same doses) for the last 12 weeks prior to baseline are eligible but the therapy should be maintained at stable dose throughout the study 3. GLP1-RA, SGLT2-I unless on stable doses for the last 12 weeks prior to baseline 4. Amiodarone within 12 months of enrollment 5. Methotrexate within 12 months of enrollment 6. Chronic use (\> 2 consecutive weeks) of corticosteroids with a systemic effect at doses ≥ 5 mg/day of oral prednisone (or equivalent) 7. Tamoxifen within 12 months of enrollment 8. Estrogens at doses greater than those used for hormone replacement or contraception 9. Anabolic steroids except testosterone replacement 10. Valproic acid 11. Any other medications known to affect liver function/steatosis at the Investigator's discretion (including vitamins, herbal and dietary supplements) 16. Contraindications to MRI, including: 1. Participants with incompatible pacemakers, metallic cardiac valves, magnetic material such as surgical clips, implanted electronic infusion pumps or other conditions that would preclude proximity to a strong magnetic field 2. History of extreme claustrophobia 3. The participant cannot fit inside the magnetic resonance scanner cavity Exclusion Criteria: \-
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
8 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
The full official record for this study. This one lists no contact details, but it is the first place any would appear.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Arizona Liver Health
Chandler, Arizona, 85224, United States
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Arizona Liver Health
Peoria, Arizona, 85381, United States
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Arizona Liver Health
Tucson, Arizona, 85712, United States
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CRIOH
Westlake, Ohio, 44145, United States
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Houston Research Institute - Dairy Ashford
Houston, Texas, 77079, United States
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Houston Research Institute - Medical Center
Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
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Houston Research Institute - Pasadena
Pasadena, Texas, 77505, United States
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Houston Research Institute - Sugar Land
Sugar Land, Texas, 77478, United States
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