DEFINIZIONE DEL PANORAMA GENOMICO DELLA MASLD (DEFINING THE GENOMIC LANDSCAPE OF METABOLIC STEATOTIC LIVER DISEASE)

Status: Recruiting
Location: See location...
Intervention Type: Other
Study Type: Interventional
Study Phase: Not Applicable
SUMMARY

The Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) is a leading cause of chronic liver disease globally, with a prevalence exceeding 30% in the population. MASLD is strictly associated with insulin resistance and cardiometabolic conditions, and in 20-30% of cases, it can progress to steatohepatitis (MASH), which is characterized by progressive liver damage and inflammation. In patients at higher risk, the disease can lead to the onset of advanced fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). One of the main problems in the clinical management of MASLD is the absence of specific risk biomarkers and the lack of effective treatments, especially for patients with advanced-stage disease. MASLD has a well-documented and enormous genetic component, with studies having identified several common variants associated with this pathology, such as those in the PNPLA3, TM6SF2, and MBOAT7 genes. However, these variants identified so far only explain a small part of MASLD's heritability, suggesting the contribution of rare loss-of-function (LoF) variants as well. Furthermore, scientific evidence indicates that the accumulation of somatic variants, both in hepatocytes and myeloid cells, could also play a key role in MASLD progression. In particular, clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP), which is a condition characterized by the presence of hematopoietic clones with somatic mutations often associated with leukemia and cardiovascular diseases, might favor the onset of hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the evidence available to date is still limited and requires further investigation and studies on larger cohorts. The current study therefore aims to deepen this aspect through the analysis of the genetic profile using a Whole-Genome Sequencing (WGS) approach. DNA samples from peripheral blood from patients with advanced MASLD and peripheral blood DNA samples from controls presenting various associated metabolic risk factors will be sequenced. In addition, 80 liver tissue samples from patients with advanced MASLD will also be sequenced to identify specific somatic mutations. The expected results from this study include the identification of new genetic variants associated with MASLD progression, the improvement of risk stratification through the development of polygenic risk scores, and the identification of potential therapeutic targets. This study represents a fundamental step for understanding the biology of MASLD and could have important clinical implications for disease management.

Eligibility
Participation Requirements
Sex: All
Minimum Age: 18
Maximum Age: 90
Healthy Volunteers: t
View:

• Patients with advanced MASLD defined as liver fibrosis ≥2 and/or the development of HCC (Hepatocellular Carcinoma);

• Patients enrolled in the context of the SERENA study and, where applicable, also in the context of the REASON study;

• Liver biopsy for suspected Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) at the time of diagnosis;

• Cholecystectomies;

• Age \[40-70 years\];

• Patients who have signed the informed consent form.

⁃ Blood donors participating in the Liver Bible study aged between 40 and 70 years who are overweight or obese and have at least two of the following risk factors:

• Impaired fasting glucose or Diabetes Mellitus

• Dyslipidemia

• Arterial hypertension.

Locations
Other Locations
Italy
Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico - Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico di natura pubblica
RECRUITING
Milan
Contact Information
Primary
Luca Vittorio Carlo Valenti, Doctor
luca.valenti@policlinico.mi.it
02 5503 6595
Time Frame
Start Date: 2025-09-01
Estimated Completion Date: 2026-08-31
Participants
Target number of participants: 2880
Treatments
Experimental: Advanced MASLD Patients and Metabolic Controls
This study aims to identify inherited genetic variants and somatic mutations associated with the progression of advanced Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease MASLD.The research utilizes two distinct and extensively characterized cohorts for Whole-Genome Sequencing WGS analysis:~* MASLD Cohort: Consists of 800 patients whose peripheral blood will undergo WGS at 20x coverage.~* Metabolic Controls} Cohort: Comprises 2000 individuals matched for sex and metabolic risk factors who meet at least two criteria for metabolic syndrome but are free of MASLD. Their peripheral blood DNA will also be sequenced.
Sponsors
Leads: Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico

This content was sourced from clinicaltrials.gov