GLP-1 and NASH-CHECK Patient Outcomes Studies Presented at EASL 2024

In a series of presentations at the 2024 European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) held in Milan, Italy, Target RWE shared new real-world data on the usage of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) patients and the impact of disease progression on patient-reported outcomes. These findings shed light on the potential applications and effectiveness of GLP-1 therapy and underscore the necessity of integrating patient-reported outcomes into clinical practice.

One of the significant presentations was titled "Real-World Use of Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 (GLP-1) Receptor Agonists in Patients with MASLD: A Cross-Sectional Analysis from TARGET-NASH." This study utilized data from the U.S. TARGET-NASH observational cohort and found that 11% of adult MASLD patients, including those with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and cirrhosis, were prescribed GLP-1 therapy. The importance of this study lies in its potential to inform future treatment pathways, given the high prevalence of type 2 diabetes and obesity in this population.

Dr. A. Sidney Barritt IV, a leading expert in the field, emphasized the significance of real-world evidence in combating metabolic liver diseases. According to Dr. Barritt, who is a Professor of Medicine and the Director of Hepatology at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, understanding patient characteristics among those prescribed GLP-1 treatments can provide valuable insights for better therapeutic strategies.

The study revealed that the MASLD population had significant comorbid conditions, with 99% suffering from type 2 diabetes and 76% being obese. Other common comorbidities included cardiovascular disease, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension, among others. These findings highlight the complex health profiles of MASLD patients and the need for comprehensive treatment approaches.

Another notable presentation was "A Prospective Analysis of Disease Progression Impact on Patient-Reported Outcomes in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease." This analysis leveraged data from the NASH-CHECK patient-reported outcome (PRO) measure within the TARGET-NASH longitudinal cohort from 2021 to 2023. The NASH-CHECK instrument assesses six symptom scales and three health-related quality of life (HRQOL) scores specific to MASLD.

The cross-sectional analysis of NASH-CHECK demonstrated significantly worse PRO scores in patients with MASH and cirrhosis compared to those with MASL or MASH. Dr. Arun J. Sanyal, a prominent figure in liver disease research and co-chair of the TARGET-NASH steering committee, pointed out the critical need for targeted interventions and personalized care for these patients. Dr. Sanyal emphasized that integrating PROs into clinical practice is crucial for understanding and addressing the needs of the MASLD population.

In addition to these insights, a new publication in the American Journal of Gastroenterology reported high concordance between the new MASH nomenclature and the prior pragmatic definitions used by TARGET-NASH, with 99% of enrolled patients meeting the new MASLD diagnostic criteria. This publication further validates the robustness of the TARGET-NASH real-world cohort data.

In summary, the recent findings presented by Target RWE at EASL 2024 underline the importance of real-world evidence in understanding and treating MASLD. The studies highlight the potential benefits of GLP-1 therapy in this patient population and the critical role of patient-reported outcomes in managing disease progression. These insights are expected to guide future research and clinical practices, ultimately improving patient care and outcomes in MASLD.

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