Revolution in liver medicine: New hope for millions of Austrians!

Revolution in liver medicine: New hope for millions of Austrians!

A significant development in the treatment of liver diseases is emerging. The renowned gastroenterologist and director of internal medicine I at the Innsbruck University Hospital, Dr. Tilg, spoke about new therapeutic approaches for inflammatory fatty liver disease. In recent years, medications have emerged that have the potential to effectively treat these diseases. In particular was Resmetirom approved in the US last year after extensive clinical trials.

Resmetirom, a selective agonist of thyroid hormone receptor beta (THR-β), targets hepatic lipid metabolism, inflammation and fibrosis. Studies show that after about a year of taking Resmetirom, significant improvements in the formation of connective tissue in the liver and a regression of inflammation were observed. Dr. Tilg describes these advances as a “quantum leap” in the treatment of inflammatory fatty liver disease.

Perspectives of new therapy options

The Europe-wide approval of Resmetirom in August gives hope for widespread use in Austria in the coming year. In addition to resmetirom, the active ingredient semaglutide is also used in diabetes medications Ozempic and Wegovy, interesting. This agent has been shown to be effective against metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and was originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes. There is increasing pressure to use semaglutide as a treatment for MASLD, with effectiveness in 30 to 40 percent of treated cases.

The need for an accompanying lifestyle change is emphasized by experts. Dr. Tilg emphasizes that weight loss and a healthy diet are crucial components for successful treatment because they have an anti-inflammatory effect.

The challenges of fatty liver disease

A global study shows that fatty liver disease caused by a metabolic disorder (MASLD) affects a third of the world's population. In Austria this affects around three million people. What is particularly worrying is that 90 percent of MASLD patients are overweight and the disease is often caused or exacerbated by pro-inflammatory foods, certain fats, genetic predispositions, intestinal germs and alcohol.

Interestingly, the new research shows that MASLD can be divided into different subtypes: subtype A, B and C, with each subtype having different risks of cardiovascular disease. MASLD affects almost 70% of obese adults. Patients with subtype A have the lowest 10-year risk of such diseases, while other subtypes have a higher risk. A differentiated view of these subtypes could possibly lead to different therapeutic approaches, as in Medical Journal indicated.

Advances in medical treatment suggest that we may be entering a new era in the treatment of fatty liver disease. The developments regarding resmetirom and semaglutide may offer patients hope for effective treatments in the future, complemented by necessary lifestyle changes.