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The wider community of liver stakeholders witnessed an exciting July as new compelling data and presentations were revealed across two major meetings, EASL Congress and the American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions. Throughout that month, SurfingNASH provided real-time coverage and review of the emerging stories spanning topics like drug development, new nomenclature, omics and AI, NITs and more. For this episode the trio of co-hosts, Jörn Schattenberg, Louise Campbell and Roger Green, embark on their first exclusive discussion together in a while without any guest panelists. The overarching theme of the program observes what has made 2023 interesting and exciting thus far before offering a look into what the audience can expect to learn more about in the imminent months.

This conversation begins with Louise detailing a paper that she recently co-authored on 'The Accuracy of Ultrasound Controlled Attenuation Parameter (CAP) in Diagnosing Hepatic Fat Content.' The aim of this study was to delineate the accuracy of CAP in diagnosing hepatic steatosis, compared to the gold standard of liver biopsy. Notes on the topic broaden to consider the value of elastography and the challenges of making proper use of it. From here, the group shares comments around how the major events and conferences have panned out so far for 2023. Jörn notes that while the volume of information available grows over time, a clear set of events which captures attention relates to the advancement of resmetirom as a potential first approval for NASH-directed therapy. He recounts the trajectory of this story beginning in December 2022 with a press release of positive Phase 3 topline results, to follow up data presented at EASL Congress 2023 in June. Jörn highlights his excitement for analyzing these results on the podcast with Stephen Harrison, Principle Investigator of the MAESTRO studies. Briefly, Jörn underscores the second key event of the year: new nomenclature for liver diseases. When his comments around this conclude, the trio spend the rest of this conversation discussing the importance behind a resmetirom approval and some of the interesting data that emerged from later releases of the MAESTRO trials.

Reviewing this episode and the various conversations is a strong reminder of how much information has already become available this year and what it portends in terms of future episodes and an ever-increasing explosion of new information about liver disease, drugs, testing, and so much more. If you have questions or comments around the EASL Congress or ADA meetings, the discussed therapeutics, new nomenclature, or any other topic addressed in this episode, we kindly ask that you submit reviews wherever you download the discourse. Alternatively, you can write to us directly at [email protected].

Stay Safe and Surf On!