New and emerging treatments for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis

Monica A Tincopa; Quentin M Anstee; Rohit Loomba

doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2024.03.011

New and emerging treatments for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis

Cell Metab. 2024 Apr 11:S1550-4131(24)00090-1. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2024.03.011. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Monica A Tincopa¹, Quentin M Anstee², Rohit Loomba³

Affiliations

¹ MASLD Research Center, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92103, USA.
² Translational & Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK; Newcastle NIHR Biomedical Research Center, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
³ MASLD Research Center, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92103, USA; School of Public Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92103, USA. Electronic address: roloomba@ucsd.edu.

PMID: 38608696
DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2024.03.011

Abstract

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is a leading etiology of chronic liver disease worldwide, with increasing incidence and prevalence in the setting of the obesity epidemic. MASH is also a leading indication for liver transplantation, given its associated risk of progression to end-stage liver disease. A key challenge in managing MASH is the lack of approved pharmacotherapy. In its absence, lifestyle interventions with a focus on healthy nutrition and regular physical activity have been the cornerstone of therapy. Real-world efficacy and sustainability of lifestyle interventions are low, however. Pharmacotherapy development for MASH is emerging with promising data from several agents with different mechanisms of action (MOAs) in phase 3 clinical trials. In this review, we highlight ongoing challenges and potential solutions in drug development for MASH and provide an overview of available data from emerging therapies across multiple MOAs.

Keywords: MASH; MASLD; NAFLD; NASH; fibrosis; non-invasive testing; pharmacotherapy; steatosis.

Publication types

Review