Genetics and Epigenetics of Disease Progression in Fatty Liver Disease
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Role of Genetic and Epigenetic Factors in Fibrosis Progression and Disease Severity in Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.
IRAS ID
142138
Contact name
Quentin Anstee
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Obesity and diabetes related Fatty Liver Disease is becoming the most common cause of liver disease worldwide. Whilst in most patients the liver remains unharmed, a significant number of patients progress to inflammation and scarring, which
can ultimately lead to liver failure and liver cancer. At present, there is no way to predict who may develop inflammation and scarring, nor any effective treatment.
Our group has published data suggesting a theory that genes controlling scarring can be modified during our lifetime to influence the rate at which liver disease will progress.This project aims to expand on this data; liver samples from patients will be used to determine whether the modifications in genes change over the course of disease or whether they were present before advanced disease developed. We will assess where these gene changes arise in the liver and which other genes may be subject to this gene modification.
The results from this proposal are important and relevant to the patient; they will present opportunities to advance our understanding why some patients with fatty liver form scars, to predict those patients and to potentially treat liver scarring.
REC name
London - Brent Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/1866
Date of REC Opinion
22 Oct 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion