Research and clinical trials

Clinical trials can help researchers learn more about liver disease and how effective treatments are. They are often to test new treatments or medicines. Clinical trials need people, often including people with a diagnosed condition, to participate to test this.

Liver UK does not carry out or fund any clinical trials ourselves. However we do work with researchers to help them find participants.

If you are interested in taking part in a clinical trial, you can find details of any opportunities we currently know about below.

This page also contains information for researchers:

How we support research
How we can help with patient involvement

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Current clinical trials

We have been told about the clinical trials listed here. You can also visit the NIHR website to search for more current UK trials by location and condition.

Always ask your doctor for advice about clinical trials and whether you may be suitable to take part.

A clinical study for people living with alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD)

The STARLIGHT Study is testing a study drug to see if it can reduce the harmful effects of alcohol on the liver in adults with ARLD who: • Are 18 to 70 years of age. • Have drunk alcohol within the last 4 months. • Have been ...

New study aims to improve liver health after menopause

Researchers from Imperial College London will look at a treatment called kisspeptin. They hope to find out if it has health benefits for post menopause women with signs of MASLD. After menopause, hormone changes can raise the risk ...

Recreating metabolic liver disease in the lab: how the MIMIC project could change MASLD research

One of the most common causes of chronic liver disease in the UK is MASLD. This stands for metabolic dysfunction‑associated steatotic liver disease. It was previously known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or NAFLD. MASLD is ...

How we support research

Research into liver disease and liver cancer is poorly funded compared with other conditions. We partner with key organisations including funders and research bodies to influence how they and others invest in research.

Patients must be part of the decisions made on research. Bringing them into the conversation from the beginning helps make sure research answers the questions that matter most to patients.

Liver disease research needs to have the same standing and funding as for other major diseases. To work towards this goal we:

Campaign to stimulate research investment
Work with researchers and funders to ensure research meets patient needs
Provide patient and public involvement in research projects from governance and design to communication of results
Support researchers with grant applications and sharing results
Build the evidence base and ensure research findings are considered in the provision of care and development of new policy

Patient Involvement in Research (PPI)

We are sometimes able to support requests for patient engagement or involvement (PPI) in research. These requests vary and include:

asking patients to attend a focus group
disseminating a survey being involved in the governance of a research project checking research materials aimed at patients
advertising for patients to take part in clinical trials providing advice and information in support of a research study, right through to publicising the results.

In recognition of the time and resource taken to process and implement these requests, we incorporate best practice recommendations from other charities and from the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) and make a small charge for some of these services. Please do get in touch if you require our pack regarding public/patient involvement in your study by emailing [email protected].

Wherever possible, we suggest contacting us at the earliest possible opportunity so that the relevant costs can be included in your grant applications.