Global Liver Institute’s International Impact
Fatty liver disease (FLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are increasing in prevalence worldwide, creating a major global public health crisis. To adequately educate patients, practitioners and policy makers, there is a need to collect, curate and share relevant information. NASH News, published on behalf of the Global Liver Institute’s NASH Council, intends to meet that need and to facilitate collaboration across the emerging NASH community on a monthly basis.
We would appreciate your feedback and content contributions. Please contact nash@globalliver.org
GLI Perspective
Global Liver Institute’s International Impact
This month, the Global Liver Institute is pleased to offer a special, internationally-focused NASH News edition. The GLI Perspective comes from Livia Alimena, GLI’s European Office Director, who provides her thoughts on the role of GLI on the global stage and the need for international advocacy on behalf of liver patients and their caregivers.
Donna R. Cryer, JD
President & CEO
Global Liver Institute
Livia Alimena, GLI Guest Perspective
Livia Alimena, GLI’s European Office Director
My name is Livia Alimena and I am honoured to be the Global Liver Institute’s European Office Director. I am very happy to establish GLI’s presence in the European Region where I have previously worked with ELPA, the European Liver Patients’ Association. Professionally, I have worked to build bridges with Russia, the Mediterranean area, and Africa. These are areas where the prevalence and incidence of NAFLD and NASH are high and there is a lot to do to improve patient’s lives and conditions.
Our goal is to establish partnerships with key stakeholders: policymakers, scientific societies, I.O., NGO’s, academia, companies, and other patient associations. This will pave the way to meaningful changes in liver health policies in Europe and have an impact on patients and the community. One amazing and impactful instrument I am excited to coordinate is International NASH Day on June 12 to raise awareness of NAFLD and NASH worldwide.
I recently represented the Global Liver Institute at the European Reference Networks meeting in Hamburg, Germany dedicated to rare liver diseases and pediatric cancer. I am excited for our future collaborations like this. I also attended the EASL NAFLD Summit in Sevilla, Spain where key scientific presentations and updates were presented to the audience.
Finally, I am very excited to speak on behalf of the Global Liver Institute at the 3rd NASH Summit in London. I will be together with eminent speakers from the FDA, EMA, NICE, UCL, and other thought leaders. This meeting will be focusing on the regulatory initiatives to advance the patient’s goals, outlining key initiatives, and the global perspective.
I am grateful to GLI President and CEO, Donna Cryer and the Global Liver Institute for this opportunity. In the words of Marcus Aurelius: “Bear in mind that the measure of a man/woman is the worth of the things he/she cares about.”
NASH Council Member News
Perspectum Announces FDA Grant Award for LiverMultiScan to Help NASH Patients
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has awarded Perspectum, a UK-based company, $250,000 to qualify its proprietary biomarkers for NASH in collaboration with Dr. Naim Alkhouri at the Texas Liver Institute. The study will begin recruitment early next year and participants will be scanned at Touchstone Imaging Medical Center’s MRI facility in San Antonio, Texas.
Updates
Many European Countries Lack an Informed Health Response to NAFLD
Recently published data revealed an inadequate public health response to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in European countries according to a study conducted by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health. Researchers determined the existence of policy documents either specifically focused on NAFLD/NASH or encompassing them in related disease/condition policies, explored NAFLD awareness, and captured details of clinical guidelines for prevention, monitoring, testing, diagnosis, and treatment in European countries. The study found that none of the 29 European countries that participated in the study had national strategies for NAFLD.
NASH Summit Europe
The 3rd NASH Summit Europe (23rd – 25th October) is a gathering of NASH leaders to delve into the regulatory, translational, clinical and discovery science challenges of NASH. Speakers will include Livia Alimenia, European Office Director of the Global Liver Institute.
GLI participates in EASL Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Summit in Seville, Spain
Obesity epidemic results in NAFLD becoming most common cause of liver disease in Europe
“The Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease prevalence in Europe is a preventable epidemic, leading researchers will report at the EASL Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) Summit 2019 taking place this week in Seville, Spain.”
Secretary of EASL Pens Op-Ed on Fatty Liver Disease
Philip N. Newsome, Secretary-General of the European Association for the Study of Liver Disease (EASL) and Director of the Centre for Liver and Gastrointestinal Research & Professor of Hepatology at the University of Birmingham, recently wrote an op-ed in the Telegraph on the public health crisis of Fatty Liver Disease.
“If left unchecked, the annual predicted cost of NAFLD in Europe is estimated to be greater than €35 billion in direct costs to the health system, and a further €200 billion by way of wider costs to society. More generally, liver disease is now the most common cause of premature mortality in the UK and notably is the only one of the top five causes of mortality.”
Saroglitazar magnesium lowers ALT, hepatic fat in NAFLD
“Results from the EVIDENCES IV trial showed that saroglitazar magnesium achieved its primary endpoint of reduced alanine aminotransferase in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, according to a press release from India based Zydus Calida.” Read more…
Patient Perspective
Yvonne Gray, a retired headteacher who lives in Fulwell, Sunderland, United Kingdom, was diagnosed with NAFLD in 2011. She is a governor of the adult liver patient support group, LIVErNORTH. Source: LITMUS Project
“I do consider myself really fortunate in that it was by chance my liver disease was eventually diagnosed when my ‘mildly abnormal’ liver function tests were picked up by a consultant treating me for a Vitamin D deficiency and he then referred me to a hepatologist.
“By the time I was referred to the Freeman Hospital Liver Unit in Newcastle I had Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, specifically NASH, Stage 3 Liver Disease with significant fibrosis.
“It is interesting that even now my liver function tests are still presenting as ‘mildly abnormal’, thereby not appearing to trigger any major cause for concern. However, my two liver biopsies say something totally different.”
International NASH Day Partner Highlight - NASH 24X7
NASH 24X7 is an educational, digital platform, based in Gujarat, India, to help bring about awareness about Non Alcoholic SteatoHepatitis (NASH): a severe form of non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) which if not diagnosed in time can result in excessive scarring of the liver, a natural response to injury leading to liver cirrhosis or liver cancer.
Through the NASH 24X7 initiative, they aim to provide the public with vital information and tips to help learn more about what diseases the liver is at risk of and most importantly what one can do to prevent it from any irreversible damage.
Learn more at NASH 24X7
Upcoming Events
*Stay tuned for information on GLI’s NASH Council meeting coming soon*
3rd NASH Summit EU October 23-25 London
NCI Liver Cancer Program: Special Conference on Tumor Metabolism October 28-29, Bethesda
Global Liver Institute Advanced Advocacy Academy, November 1-2, Washington
American Public Health Association November 2-6, Philadelphia
American Association for the Study of Liver Disease, The Liver Meeting November 8-12, Boston