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An interdisciplinary research team has demonstrated a durable and lasting response to a novel treatment—combined locoregional therapy and immunotherapy (LRT-IO)—for advanced liver cancer patients. Advanced liver cancer is often considered incurable, but it can sometimes be converted to a treatable stage through a combination of therapies, potentially leading to curative surgery. This innovative strategy consists of three treatments: stereotactic beam radiotherapy (SBRT) with optional transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), followed by immunotherapy (IO). In previous studies, the team found that the cancer completely disappeared in 42% of patients after treatment, as evidenced by MRI or CT scans—even without curative surgery. The research...

New research suggests that lycopene, which gives fruits like tomatoes and watermelons their bright red color, supports healthy liver functioning and may help prevent weight gain. Lycopene is an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory compound that is naturally produced by some plants. It is also available as a dietary supplement. The researchers' interest in studying the impacts of tomato consumption and lycopene on obesity was sparked by a previous study that showed dietary estrogen supplements prevented zebrafish from becoming obese despite being overfed. Since lycopene and other compounds found in tomatoes affect some of the same chemical pathways as estrogen, the scientists wondered...

A drug candidate, previously successful at treating severe fatty liver disease, reduces atherosclerosis—a primary driver of cardiovascular death worldwide—in large mammals, a study suggests. DT-109 limited the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in both the aorta and coronary arteries of nonhuman primates. This glycine-based tripeptide also stopped critical processes that lead to vascular calcification, a significant catalyst of arterial stiffening and plaque instability. Said Eugene Chen, M.D., Ph.D., "DT-109 has demonstrated a remarkable ability to counteract the progression of atherosclerosis, an achievement that holds immense therapeutic potential." Chen's team developed DT-109 in 2019 after it was discovered that impaired glycine metabolism...

Recently, researchers have discovered an increasing correlation between some liver cancers and non-viral chronic liver disease (CLD). One liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is associated with CLD in about 15%–25% of cases. In order to investigate how healthy liver tissue differs from that of HCC patients with CLD, scientists analyzed which metabolites were present in CLD and normal tissue to identify metabolic pathways that may be dysregulated. By investigating differences in gene expression and metabolites, the investigators were able to identify possible disease-causing pathways and potential therapeutic targets for HCC prevention. "The molecular mechanisms underlying the development of HCC from...

The liver has a unique ability, regeneration. However, the liver stops regenerating in cases of diseases that involve chronic liver damage. Research has discovered in animal models a previously unknown mechanism of liver regeneration. It is a process that is triggered very quickly, just a few minutes after acute liver damage occurs. The authors write that nutritional glutamate supplementation can effectively promote liver regeneration and benefit patients with severe and chronic liver damage. The results show that liver and bone marrow are interconnected by glutamate. After acute liver damage, liver cells, called hepatocytes, produce glutamate and send it into the...

Researchers have found statin use significantly reduces the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and hepatic decompensation among patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). Statins, particularly lipophilic statins like atorvastatin and simvastatin, were associated with a substantial decrease in the likelihood of liver cancer and complications. Longer duration of statin use further increases this protective effect. Researchers conducted a historical cohort analysis of data from the Research Patient Data Registry, clinical data from hospitals within the Mass General Brigham health care system, covering 2000-2023. Participants included 16,501 adult patients aged 40 or older diagnosed with CLD and a baseline Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4)...

Scientists have recreated foie gras without force-feeding by using natural enzymes found in ducks. The process mimics what happens inside the bird’s body, resulting in the same texture and taste. It’s a delicious step toward cruelty-free indulgence A team of researchers has developed a groundbreaking new way to make foie gras that eliminates the need for force-feeding, traditionally used to achieve the delicacy’s rich texture. By using the duck’s own fat-digesting enzymes and a simplified, additive-free recipe, they recreated the signature mouthfeel and flavor of foie gras. The result? An ethical, scientifically innovative twist on a centuries-old luxury – and...

There’s no denying that the internet loves a good hack — especially if it’s one that will help prevent the crapulence feeling that comes on the morning after consuming one too many espresso martinis. The latest quirky health hack is milk thistle supplements being used to prevent nasty hangovers. In a video of a TikTok user raving about the herbal remedy, she told her viewers: “Last week I went out and took two of these before a night of drinking and I woke up and ran a 5k the next day.” But before you jump on the milk thistle bandwagon,...

Turmeric has been a healing remedy in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. It comes from the rhizome (root) of the Curcuma longa plant and has a warm, earthy flavor. Turmeric's active compound, curcumin, is a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant with many health benefits, from soothing joint pain to enhancing digestion and immunity. 1. Arthritis (Joint Pain) Arthritis is a broad term that describes over 100 conditions that cause joint inflammation, pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, typically develops due to age-related "wear and tear." Other types, like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic...

Over a year after a 15-foot great white shark was found dead with mysterious bite wounds and stripped of its internal organs, DNA analysis uncovered its killers. Two animals, orcas, also known as killer whales, and broadnose sevengill sharks, were responsible for the gruesome attack... The body of the massive shark, known as the Carcharodon carcharias, was discovered in October 2023 in southeastern Australia, baffling scientists. ... The carcass sparked significant attention from the public due to its size, bite marks, and the speculation of it being the result of a killer whale predation, ... Although its head, spine, and...

Researchers at Mount Sinai have made a breakthrough in treating a type of liver cancer called hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This research tested a combination of treatments that could help patients live longer without their cancer getting worse. Liver cancer is a serious and deadly cancer. In 2023, liver cancer was the fourth most common cause of death globally, accounting for more than 800,000 deaths annually. Hepatocellular carcinoma represents approximately 90% of primary liver cancers. This cancer is most commonly found in people living with chronic viral hepatitis, heavy alcohol use, or metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. This landmark trial demonstrates...

Chronic liver damage can lead to hepatitis, which causes fibrosis of the liver. This buildup of collagen and other fibrous tissue accelerates when hepatic stellate cells become activated during hepatitis, often resulting in liver cancer or cirrhosis, both of which can be fatal. As there are no effective drugs to treat cirrhosis, suppressing the activation of the stellate cells is considered as a way of controlling the progression of liver fibrosis. "It is estimated that one out of every three to four people worldwide have steatotic liver disease, when there is an abnormal accumulation of lipids, which is a precursor...

Serum zinc is often deficient in patients with liver cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy (HE), according to a study. Divakar Kumar, M.D. and colleagues measured the serum zinc level in 150 patients with liver cirrhosis with HE. The researchers found that the majority of patients with liver cirrhosis with HE had zinc deficiency. There was a statistically significant association between low serum zinc levels and West Haven criteria grades of HE. Across classes of cirrhosis, serum zinc levels showed highly significant differences. In patients who died, the mean serum zinc level was significantly low (35.56 versus 48.36). There was a strong...

A new discovery about how the liver flushes cholesterol from the body could lead to more effective treatments for cardiovascular disease—the leading cause of death worldwide. Researchers have found that the production of bile, which is vital for flushing excess cholesterol from the body, is affected by the rate blood flows into the liver via the "portal" vein from the intestine. Previous research has shown that blood flow in the portal vein increases and decreases throughout the day in response to movement, rest, and intake of foods. The Leeds team has now identified that bile production increases when blood flow...

New research suggests intensive lifestyle interventions are an effective way of treating and improving liver disease. In this study of 24 patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), a common liver disease caused by excessive fat buildup, one group followed a restricted diet and a high intensity interval training exercise program for 10 months. They dramatically improved their liver health over the control group of patients who received standard of care treatment. Diet and exercise are the first lines of treatment for liver disease; however, this study is the first to examine the impact of diet and exercise on liver health...

It’s every tomophobians’ worst nightmare. According to multiple reports, an alleged interstate case of a medical procedure going horrifically wrong has the family of the deceased accusing the doctor of gross malpractice. William Bryan, a resident of Muscle Shoals, Alabama.. reportedly died after a Florida surgeon removed the wrong organ during an operation. ... Bryan was taken to Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital in Walton County, Florida, on Aug. 18. What happened next was, as the Bryan family’s attorney, Joe Zarzaur, put it, “one of the most egregious cases of medical malpractice that I’ve ever been involved with.” .......

A research team has shown the benefits of camu-camu on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This exotic fruit reduces liver fat levels. Over 12 weeks, thirty participants took either camu-camu extract or a placebo at different times in this randomized clinical trial. Participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to determine fat levels in the liver. Scientists observed a 7.43% reduction in liver lipids when study participants took camu-camu extract. With the placebo, they noted an 8.42% increase in liver fat. "That's a significant 15.85% difference," says André Marette. This effect stems from the polyphenols contained in camu-camu and their relationship with...

A physician scientist is making strides in understanding the molecular origins of fatty liver disease, a leading cause of liver failure. By identifying the critical role the urea cycle plays in its development, his findings could pave the way for new medications to treat this currently incurable disease. In a study, Brian DeBosch, MD, Ph.D., uncovered a critical link between defects in the urea cycle, a key process in detoxifying ammonia in the body, and the development of fatty liver disease. The study found that these urea cycle defects lead to secondary impairment in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, a...

From turmeric to green tea, many botanicals we commonly use as herbal remedies pose a threat to our liver if we indulge too much. A new survey from the University of Michigan estimates up to 18.6 million people in the US make use of at least one of these herbal remedies with liver-damaging potential. When used in moderation, herbs like green tea and other plant-based supplements can provide us with benefits. In concentrated forms, such as capsules, it's easier to overdose on them. Hospitalizations due to herbally-induced liver problems are increasing globally. "The safety and efficacy of herbal and dietary...

Never before seen footage showing a Planned Parenthood employee appearing to discuss the sale of aborted babies’ body parts was released Tuesday, years after now-Vice President Kamala Harris seized the footage as Attorney General of California. The five-minute video shows a conversation between a person identified as Dr. Stacy De-Lin, Planned Parenthood New York City Medical Director for Abortion Services, and an undercover reporter with the Center for Medical Progress (CMP). During their conversation, De-Lin seems to acknowledge that Planned Parenthood would sell the livers of aborted babies. In one clip, De-Lin is told by a CMP investigator that she...