A new medicine can stop the liver from making too much fat. This could become a strong tool against a fast‑growing liver problem called MASH.
What Is MASH?
MASH (metabolic dysfunction‑associated steatohepatitis) is a serious type of fatty liver disease. It is linked to obesity and type‑2 diabetes. The disease often shows no signs for years, then can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, or cancer.
How the New Drug Works
The experimental drug, named ION224, blocks an enzyme called DGAT2. DGAT2 helps the liver create and store fat. By stopping this enzyme, ION224 reduces the fat that builds up inside liver cells, which in turn lowers inflammation and scarring.
Dr. Rohit Loomba, the study leader at the University of California‑San Diego School of Medicine, said the drug attacks the disease at its root cause, not just the symptoms.
Results From the Phase IIb Trial
The trial included 160 adults in the United States who had MASH and mild‑to‑moderate liver fibrosis. Participants received monthly injections of ION224 at different doses or a placebo for 51 weeks.
Those who got the highest dose saw the best results: about 60 % showed clear improvement in liver health compared with the placebo group. The drug was well tolerated, and no serious side effects were linked to it.
Why This Matters
Most current treatments focus on weight loss. ION224 improved liver condition even when patients did not lose much weight, suggesting it could work together with weight‑loss medicines.
Blocking DGAT2 is a new approach. It avoids some problems seen with other drugs that raise triglyceride levels.
The Growing Threat of Fatty Liver
Experts estimate that 1 in 4 adults worldwide may have some form of fatty liver disease. In the United States, more than 100 million people are affected.
Many do not know they have the disease because symptoms appear only after serious damage. Without treatment, scarring can become cirrhosis, and a liver transplant may be the only option.
What Comes Next?
The next step is larger Phase III trials to confirm safety and effectiveness in a broader group of patients before regulators can consider approval.
The research was funded by Ionis Pharmaceuticals.