New blood test matches gold standard for liver disease diagnosis
MDGL•An experimental blood test from Hepta, LiquidTransformer, matched magnetic resonance elastography in assessing chronic liver disease and identified patients eligible for Madrigal Pharmaceuticals’ MASH drug. Separately, an Ipsen late-stage trial found 85.3% of patients receiving Iqirvo achieved normal alkaline phosphatase levels after one year, versus 23.3% on placebo.
1. Blood test stages liver disease
Hepta’s experimental LiquidTransformer test uses DNA circulating in blood to assess liver biology. In six presentations at the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases meeting, the test was reported to be nearly as accurate as magnetic resonance elastography and more accurate than certain second-line alternatives. Researchers working with Hepta and Madrigal Pharmaceuticals said it accurately staged liver damage and identified patients eligible for Madrigal’s Rezdiffra, the first approved MASH therapy.
2. Trial results for Iqirvo
In a late-stage trial of 92 patients with primary biliary cholangitis whose response to usual treatment was incomplete, 85.3% of those given Ipsen’s Iqirvo achieved normal alkaline phosphatase levels after one year, compared with 23.3% on placebo. Average ALP reductions were 36.5% and 4.2%, respectively. An accompanying editorial said the results do not yet show whether lowering ALP changes disease course, relieves symptoms, or is worth the risks for low-risk patients.
