Biomarkers in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has emerged as the most prevalent chronic liver disease globally, posing a significant public health challenge. Its progression from simple hepatic steatosis to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, and subsequently to advanced fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma, underscores the urgent need for accurate and non-invasive diagnostic, prognostic, and monitoring tools. Liver biopsy, while historically considered the gold standard, is limited by its invasive nature, risk of complications, cost, and potential for sampling variability. In this article, we comprehensively discuss the role of various blood-based and imaging biomarkers in the diagnosis, staging, prognosis, and management of MASLD.