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Updated: Aug 6, 2026
10:45
Histological Analyses of Acute Alcoholic Liver Injury in Zebrafish
Published on: May 25, 2017
Therapeutics for Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease
Marta Melis1, Hamza Dahshi2,3,4, Laura E Nagy4,5
11Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical School, New York, NY, USA;
Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology
|July 20, 2026
Summary
Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) urgently needs new treatments. This review explores preclinical models and clinical trials for novel therapies targeting severe alcohol-associated hepatitis and earlier ALD stages.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology and Gastroenterology
- Translational Medicine
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) is a leading cause of liver-related morbidity and mortality worldwide.
- Severe ALD phenotypes include alcohol-associated hepatitis (AH), decompensated cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma.
- Current therapeutic options for ALD are limited, highlighting an unmet clinical need for effective treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review progress in identifying therapeutic targets for ALD using preclinical models.
- To summarize the rationale and current status of clinical trials for ALD therapies.
- To focus on strategies for slowing ALD progression and improving survival in severe AH.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of preclinical models investigating ALD pathophysiology.
- Analysis of ongoing clinical trials for novel ALD therapeutics.
- Synthesis of data on therapeutic target identification and clinical trial outcomes.
Main Results:
- Preclinical models have advanced the understanding of ALD mechanisms.
- Several therapeutic targets are being explored based on preclinical findings.
- Ongoing clinical trials aim to develop treatments for both early and severe ALD.
Conclusions:
- There is a critical need for new FDA-approved therapies for ALD.
- Advances in preclinical research are paving the way for novel therapeutic strategies.
- Clinical trials are actively investigating new treatments to improve ALD outcomes and patient survival.
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