Journal of hepatology
Audio Summaries

Restoration of aged liver regeneration by youthful systemic factors via LTβ-driven hepatocyte reprogramming

Sep 22, 2026

This study investigates how youthful systemic factors can restore liver regeneration in aged individuals, focusing on the role of lymphotoxin β (LTβ) signaling in hepatocyte reprogramming. The authors found that young B cells enhance liver regeneration in aged mice by promoting transient somatic reprogramming of periportal hepatocytes through LTβ/LTBR signaling. These findings suggest potential therapeutic strategies for improving liver regeneration in elderly patients, particularly in the context of liver transplantation.

Advances in the imaging of liver cancer

Sep 15, 2026

The authors aim to summarize recent advancements in imaging technologies and frameworks for liver cancer, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA). They explore how these innovations enhance early detection, diagnosis, and treatment response assessment, while also discussing the implications of imaging features for prognostication and personalized treatment strategies. Additionally, the review highlights the integration of radiomics and artificial intelligence in improving the clinical utility of liver cancer imaging.

Systemic therapy for HCC: Doublets, triplets and beyond

Sep 15, 2026

The authors aim to review the current landscape of systemic therapies for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and explore emerging treatment strategies and biomarker approaches. They highlight the shift towards immune checkpoint inhibitor-based combinations as the standard first-line treatment, while noting the challenges posed by biological heterogeneity and the absence of robust predictive biomarkers in improving patient outcomes. The review also discusses ongoing clinical investigations into novel therapeutic options such as bispecific antibodies and cellular therapies.

The use of locoregional therapies in cholangiocarcinoma

Sep 15, 2026

This literature review investigates the role of locoregional therapies in managing unresectable or advanced cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), particularly intrahepatic (iCCA) and perihilar CCA (pCCA). The authors aim to evaluate the clinical outcomes of various locoregional treatments compared to the standard systemic chemotherapy and immunotherapy, highlighting the need for individualized treatment strategies until more robust evidence from randomized controlled trials is available. The findings suggest a trend towards integrating locoregional therapies with standard care to improve patient outcomes.

Liver transplantation for primary liver cancers in the era of transplant oncology

Sep 15, 2026

The authors explore how liver transplantation (LT) can be optimized for patients with primary liver cancers, emphasizing the importance of a dynamic "window of eligibility" that considers tumor characteristics and patient response to therapy. They discuss the role of neoadjuvant treatments in expanding transplant candidacy and highlight the need for personalized approaches through emerging biomarkers to improve patient selection and post-transplant outcomes. The paper aims to address how LT can be effectively integrated into the evolving landscape of transplant oncology for better management of primary liver malignancies.

Integrating systemic therapy in the earlier stages of liver cancer

Sep 15, 2026

The authors explore the integration of systemic therapies in the earlier stages of liver cancer, specifically hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and biliary tract cancers (BTC), aiming to evaluate the potential benefits of combining local and systemic treatments. They discuss the challenges in trial design and endpoints, as well as the current data on adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapies, highlighting the promising yet uncertain future of these strategies as standard care.

Mouse models of acute and chronic hepatitis E virus infection

Sep 11, 2026

The authors aimed to develop mouse models to study hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection, particularly focusing on the susceptibility of different mouse strains to HEV and the mechanisms underlying chronic infection. They successfully established AG129 and C57BL/6J mouse models that support efficient HEV-C1 replication, revealing important insights into viral tropism and the role of CD4+ T cell depletion in persistent infection. These models provide a valuable platform for further research on HEV immunopathogenesis, antiviral testing, and vaccine development.

Barriers to Viral Hepatitis Elimination and New Strategies to Overcome Them in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Sep 5, 2026

The authors investigate the barriers to achieving viral hepatitis elimination in low- and middle-income countries, despite the availability of effective preventive and therapeutic measures. They identify gaps in the care continuum, including vaccination, screening, and treatment, and propose strategies such as simplified diagnostics, decentralised care, and integrated healthcare services to overcome these challenges. The study emphasizes that technological advancements must be complemented by strengthening health systems and addressing social determinants of health to make significant progress.

Artificial intelligence and personalised medicine in liver cancer

Sep 2, 2026

The authors explore how artificial intelligence (AI) can enhance personalized medicine in the management of liver cancer, specifically hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma. They highlight the potential of AI to integrate complex multimodal data—such as clinical, imaging, and pathological information—to improve diagnosis, prognostication, and treatment selection, while also addressing the challenges of clinical translation and model interpretability. Ultimately, they suggest that successful implementation of AI-driven systems could significantly advance personalized care in this complex disease.

Emerging strategies for hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance: abbreviated MRI, biomarkers and benefit stratification

Sep 2, 2026

The authors evaluate emerging strategies for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance, specifically abbreviated magnetic resonance imaging (aMRI) and blood-based biomarker panels, to address the limitations of current ultrasound and AFP methods. They propose that future clinical implementation of these tests should focus on benefit stratification, assessing not only the risk of developing HCC but also the potential clinical outcomes from earlier detection and treatment. The paper emphasizes the need for individualized frameworks to determine which patients would most benefit from enhanced surveillance.