Findings from liver research and clinical trials

Alcohol Research Fellowship
Dr Nick Sheron – University of Southampton, School of Medicine
Final report

UK Alcohol Strategy
Professors Gerard Hastings and Linda Bauld – University of Stirling
(Jointly funded with Cancer Research UK)
Stirling Report Health First

A nurse‐led FibroScan^® outreach clinic to encourage socially deprived heavy drinkers to engage with liver services
Karen Matthews, NHS Lothian
Final report

Primary Liver Cancer Gene Therapy
Dr Phil Harrison – Kings College School of Medicine, Institute of Liver Studies, London
Final report

Development of Novel Diagnostic Makers for Bile Duct Cancer
Dr Stephen Pereira – Royal Free and UCMS
Final report

Proteomic Profiling of Plasma for Biomarkers in Primary and Secondary Liver Cancers and Benign and Malignant Biliary Disease; using SELDI-TOF Mass Spectroscopy
Dr Shahid Khan – Imperial College, London
Final report

Establishment of Natural Killer Cell Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)
Professor Salim I Khakoo – University of Southampton
Final report

Insights into the Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) Patient Journey: First Global Quality of Life Survey
International survey led by Jennifer Gill – London School of Economics
Final report

Coffee and Liver Health
The British Liver Trust commissioned a review of the evidence and research on coffee and liver health.
For further information click here

TIMP 1 and Fibrosis
Dr John P Iredale – University of Southampton, School of Medicine
Final report

Hepatocyte Proliferation and Apoptosis
Dr Chris Day – University of Newcastle, Medical School
Final report

Cloning & Biochemical Analysis of UTEBF
Dr D Mann – University of Southampton School of Medicine
Final report

Engineered Forms of HGF/SF in Chronic Liver Disease
Dr E Gheradi – University of Cambridge – Dept of Oncology
Final report

How Stellate Cells Modify the Local Immune Response of the Liver
Dr A Holt – Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham
(Funded jointly with the Digestive Disorders Foundation CORE)
Final Report

Optimisation of Small Interfering RNAs (siRNA) Targeted at the NF-kB Pathway for the Treatment of Liver Disease
Professor Derek Mann – University of Newcastle upon Tyne
Final report

Antigen Presentation in HBV Infection
Miss S Shanmuganathan – St Mary’s Hospital, London
Final report

Pathogenesis of Primary Biliary Cirrhosis
Dr J Neuberger – University Hospital Birmingham
Final research article

The Molecular Basis of Mucosal T Cell Homing to the Liver in Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
Professor David Adams – University of Birmingham
Final report

Organ and Tissue Donation: an Evaluation of Health Care Professionals’ Knowledge and Training and Implications for Education
Doctoral thesis by Timothy Collins – University of Greenwich School of Education, London
Final report

Epidemiology of Liver Disease in Tayside Study
Dr J F Dillon – Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee
Final report

Impact and Burden of Liver Disease in the UK
Dr P Roderick – University of Southampton, School of Medicine
(Funded jointly with the Foundation for Liver Research)
Final report

Systematic Review of the Prevalence of Mildly Abnormal Liver Function Tests and Associated Health Outcomes
Sven Radcke, John F Dillon and Aja L Murray – British Liver Trust, University of Edinburgh, University of Dundee
To read the full article visit the European Journal of Gastroenterology
Abstract     Results Table 1    Results Table 2

James Lind Alliance Alcohol-Related Liver Disease Priority Setting Partnership (PSP) 
The British Liver Trust played a key part in this exercise that sought to agree key research priorities. Data was collected through a survey asking patients, carers and health professionals for their unanswered questions around the diagnosis, treatment and care of alcohol-related liver disease. Over 230 responses were received from across the UK, and the top 25 questions were then taken to the JLA Alcohol-Related Liver Disease PSP workshop in September, where health professionals, patients and carers worked collaboratively to reach the final Top 10.

General Public Awareness Survey
The British Liver Trust commissioned survey from market research company ComRes to find out the perception of liver disease among adults in the UK.
Final report

LOCATE – Early Detection Model
Dr Nick Sheron – University of Southampton
This is a project of patient based research to implement screening to increase the earlier detection and diagnosis of liver disease. The desired outcome was an effective detection model that could be used nationally and adapted for international implementation.

End of Life Care for people with Liver Disease
Partnership with Marie Curie and the Royal Free Hospital, London.  The research was completed in 2017 and the report is available here: https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/7/8/e016887.full?ijkey=PGkAXwp8zrd7zyj&keytype=ref

Survey of Liver Services in Scotland
Alastair MacGilchrist – Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Survey commissioned by the British Liver Trust and the Scottish Society of Gastroenterology on the provision of secondary care services for patients with liver disease in Scotland 2013.
Report – Survey of Liver Services in Scotland

Developing Effective Liver Function Tests (LFTs)
Led by British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG)
Study on the effectiveness and knowledge of outcomes of LFTs in Primary Care and GP surgeries.  This was launched in December 2017, here is the report: https://www.bsg.org.uk/resource/new-guidelines-on-the-management-of-abnormal-liver-blood-tests—press-release.html