Researchers at McMaster University have revealed early-stage findings that a new drug may not only treat liver fibrosis but also potentially reverse the damage caused by the disease.
The study, published in Cell Metabolism, offers new hope for millions of people living with liver conditions.
Liver fibrosis occurs when scar tissue builds up in the liver due to disease, potentially leading to liver failure or liver cancer if left untreated.
It is commonly associated with MASH (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis), which affects people with obesity or type 2 diabetes, and can also increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and the need for liver transplantation.
Dr. Greg Steinberg, lead author of the study and professor at McMaster, explained that while a healthy lifestyle may slow disease progression, it cannot reverse existing liver damage. Early lab studies suggest that a new drug candidate, EVT0185, could do just that.
Developed by Espervita Therapeutics, a company co-founded by Dr. Steinberg, EVT0185 is a small molecule compound initially tested for liver cancer, where it was found to halt tumor growth.
Lab experiments now show it can also treat MASH and reduce liver scarring by helping the body eliminate harmful fats through urine, potentially allowing the liver to heal and regenerate.
Dr. Steinberg noted that the drug could address a major gap in current liver disease treatments, most of which do not reverse fibrosis. Human clinical trials are expected to begin by 2027, pending completion of further safety and preclinical studies.
If successful, EVT0185 could transform the treatment of serious liver disease and significantly improve outcomes for millions worldwide.
