Journal of hepatology
Audio Summaries

Regression of liver cirrhosis

Jun 24, 2026

The authors investigate the potential for regression in liver cirrhosis, traditionally viewed as a fixed end-stage condition, by examining how sustained control of its underlying causes can lead to significant architectural changes in the liver. They highlight the complexity of cirrhosis as a heterogeneous disease influenced by various cellular phenotypes and emphasize the need for improved measurement tools and therapies to effectively address its reversibility, especially in light of recent challenges in antifibrotic treatments.

The Hepato-Exposome Axis: How Endocrine Disruptors Hijack Liver Receptors to Drive MASLD

Jun 22, 2026

This review investigates how endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) contribute to the rising incidence of metabolically dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) beyond traditional factors like obesity and diet. The authors propose the "hepato-exposome axis" framework to elucidate the interactions between specific EDCs and hepatic nuclear receptors, highlighting their roles in lipid metabolism, glucose homeostasis, and inflammation. They emphasize the need for further research on EDC mixtures and their effects on vulnerable populations to better understand and address the global MASLD burden.

Hepatic artery infusion pump chemotherapy for unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: Pooled individual patient-level analysis of four clinical trials

Jun 22, 2026

The authors aimed to assess long-term overall survival (OS) in patients with unresectable, liver-confined intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) treated with hepatic artery infusion pump (HAIP) chemotherapy. By pooling individual patient data from four phase II trials involving 142 patients, they found a median OS of 26 months, with 3-year and 5-year OS rates of 28% and 15%, respectively. These results provide critical long-term survival benchmarks and support the evaluation of HAIP chemotherapy in future treatment strategies for this challenging condition.

MRI-based prediction of very early recurrence within 1 year after resection of HCC: An international cohort study

Jun 20, 2026

The study aimed to develop and validate MRI-based models for predicting very early recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) within one year after surgical resection, addressing the lack of reliable noninvasive prediction tools. By analyzing a large international cohort, the authors created two models (MERP-pre and MERP-post) that outperformed existing prognostic systems and effectively stratified patients into distinct risk groups based on their one-year recurrence-free survival. These findings suggest that the MERP models could enhance risk-stratified management of HCC by integrating readily available clinical and imaging data.

Interleukin-19 ameliorates drug-induced liver injury by limiting proinflammatory macrophage infiltration via SUMOylation of C/EBPβ

Jun 18, 2026

This study investigates the role of interleukin-19 (IL-19) in acetaminophen-induced liver injury (AILI) and its underlying inflammatory mechanisms. The authors find that IL-19 limits proinflammatory macrophage infiltration by promoting the SUMOylation of C/EBPβ, thereby reducing the expression of proinflammatory genes and mitigating AILI. These findings suggest that IL-19 could be a potential therapeutic target for treating AILI.

Impaired glycoRNA biogenesis in metabolic-dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease

Jun 17, 2026

The authors investigate the presence and role of glycosylated non-coding small RNAs (glycoRNAs) in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). They find that glycoRNAs are synthesized in human liver tissues and that their expression is significantly reduced in MASLD, linked to decreased levels of key mediators of glycoRNA biosynthesis. The study suggests that restoring glycoRNA biogenesis may mitigate liver injury, highlighting their potential as biomarkers for MASLD.

A myeloid immunosuppressive phenotype defines primary refractoriness to atezolizumab Plus bevacizumab in hepatocellular caarcinoma

Jun 15, 2026

The authors investigate the biological basis of primary refractoriness (PRef) to the combination of atezolizumab and bevacizumab in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), aiming to identify immunological characteristics that distinguish non-responding patients. They find that PRef is associated with a distinct immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, characterized by myeloid infiltration and systemic inflammation, which may inform future strategies to enhance treatment efficacy. The study highlights the need for biomarker-driven approaches to address the approximately 40% of patients who experience early treatment failure.

In vivo base editing alleviates hepatic iron accumulation and fibrosis in models of HFE-related hereditary hemochromatosis

Jun 10, 2026

The authors investigate the efficacy and safety of in vivo base editing to correct the HFE C282Y mutation responsible for hereditary hemochromatosis, which leads to excessive iron accumulation and liver damage. Using lipid nanoparticles to deliver the editing components, they demonstrate significant reductions in hepatic iron levels and associated fibrosis in murine models and patient-derived cells, with no off-target effects detected. This study provides a proof of concept for a potential therapeutic approach to address HFE-related iron overload disorders.

Updates in clinical science: Alcohol-related hepatitis

Jun 10, 2026

The authors examine the evolving landscape of alcohol-related hepatitis (AH), particularly in terms of its diagnosis and treatment amidst changing alcohol consumption patterns and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. They explore advancements in non-invasive diagnostic techniques and novel therapeutic strategies, while also discussing the potential for expanding liver transplantation criteria for severe AH cases. Overall, the paper highlights both the challenges and emerging opportunities in managing this complex disease.

Dysregulated transcription in core- and pol-specific CD8 T cells can be targeted by HDAC inhibition to improve T-cell function in chronic hepatitis B

Jun 6, 2026

The authors investigate the dysregulated transcription in core- and polymerase-specific CD8 T cells in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients to understand the mechanisms behind T cell dysfunction and identify potential therapeutic targets. They find a distinct "resolution signature" of genes associated with T cell function that is altered in CHB but can be improved through histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibition. This suggests that targeting transcriptional dysregulation may enhance T cell responses and offers a promising approach for immunotherapy in CHB.