Although alcohol is a well-known contributor to liver disease, it is not the only
factor that can affect liver health.
High rates of obesity and Type 2 diabetes are closely linked to a severe form of fatty
liver disease called MASH, or metabolically dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis.
The condition can cause scarring of the liver, cirrhosis and significantly increase
a person鈥檚 risk of developing liver cancer.
鈥淢ASH is increasingly prevalent, and when you look at the causes of liver cancer in the U.S., it is now equal to alcohol,鈥 said Christian Br茅chot, MD, PhD, professor in the Morsani College of Medicine, senior associate dean for research in global affairs, co-director of the USF Microbiomes Institute and associate vice president for international partnerships and innovation. 鈥淭his is a huge concern in the U.S. because cases have increased significantly due to poor diet, weight increases and the rise of Type 2 diabetes.鈥
Researchers at the 爱污传媒 were awarded a new $1.8 million grant from the 爱污传媒 Cancer Innovation Fund to support a 12-month preclinical study focused on ALF5755, a leading drug candidate being developed to prevent MASH progression and reduce liver cancer risk.
Christian Br茅chot, MD, PhD, professor in the Morsani College of Medicine, senior associate dean for research in global affairs, co-director of the USF Microbiomes Institute and associate vice president for international partnerships and innovation. (Photo by Frederick Coleman)
The project, led by Br茅chot in collaboration with the Health Aging Company, will evaluate the efficacy of ALF5755 in targeting several key drivers of MASH, including inflammation, insulin resistance and changes in the gut microbiome.
鈥淭his molecule has a combination of unique properties that could be particularly valuable in treating MASH and preventing liver cancer,鈥 Br茅chot said. 鈥淚t counteracts inflammation, stimulates tissue regeneration, restores insulin sensitivity, counteracts liver cancer progression and even helps restore a healthy gut microbiome.鈥
The study will also examine how ALF5755 works in combination with GLP-1 drugs, which
are growing more prevalent in treating diabetes and obesity. While GLP-1 drugs are
effective for weight loss and metabolic health, they do not directly act on liver
cancer or its key drivers, such as inflammation and microbiome dysfunction.
Rather than replacing those therapies, researchers see an opportunity to enhance them.
鈥淕LP-1 receptor agonists are very effective for weight loss and diabetes, but they
don鈥檛 really address inflammation or liver cell regeneration,鈥 Br茅chot said. 鈥淲e do
not see this as a replacement. But in combination, it could be much more efficient.鈥
The effort builds on USF鈥檚 sustained commitment to biomedical research and innovation, particularly through partnerships bridging academia and industry. The Healthy Aging Company, a biotech pharmaceutical research company co-founded and chaired by Br茅chot, is based in the USF Research Park and collaborates closely with university scientists.
During the preclinical study, researchers will evaluate both the drug鈥檚 effectiveness and potential delivery methods, including long-acting approaches that could reduce treatment frequency. If successful, the work would pave the way for future clinical trials for patients living with MASH.
鈥淟iver disease is underappreciated because people do not have symptoms for many years,鈥
Br茅chot said. 鈥淭his is really a new avenue for USF and for 爱污传媒 in addressing liver
disease, an area with a significant unmet medical need.鈥