Early liver transplantation for severe alcohol-related liver disease
Official title: 4/4-American Consortium of Early Liver Transplantation-Prospective Alcohol-associated liver disease Cohort Evaluation (ACCELERATE-PACE)
Funded at Methodist Hospital Research Institute · NIH-11145186 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project follows adults with severe alcohol-related liver disease who are being considered for liver transplants before six months of sobriety to learn which selection and care practices lead to the best outcomes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Methodist Hospital Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $401,203 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA030965-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11145186 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults (generally age 21 and older) with severe alcohol-associated liver disease who are being evaluated for early liver transplantation, including those with less than six months of abstinence, are the ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People with mild liver disease who are not being considered for transplant or those with clear medical or psychosocial contraindications to transplantation may not receive direct benefit from this work.
What this research studies
You would join a group of adults with severe alcohol-related liver disease who are being followed over time while they are considered for early liver transplantation (before six months of sobriety). The project links transplant centers across the U.S. and collects detailed medical, psychiatric, and treatment information plus outcomes after transplant or with medical care alone. Researchers will compare different candidate selection practices and alcohol use disorder treatments and track whether the liver recovers with abstinence or whether transplant is needed. The goal is to identify fairer, more effective ways to choose and care for people with alcohol-associated liver disease so fewer lives are lost and organs are used well.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help more people with alcohol-related liver disease get timely transplants and improve fairness and outcomes in transplant decisions.
How similar studies have gone: Some single-center and smaller multi-center reports have shown good survival after early liver transplant, but large coordinated cohort data across many regions remain limited.
Where this research is happening
-
Methodist Hospital Research Institute
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ghobrial, Rafik Mark — Methodist Hospital Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Ghobrial, Rafik Mark
Related research
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Early liver transplant decisions for severe alcohol-related liver disease
A large study follows adults with severe alcohol-related liver disease to understand how to best select and manage patients for early liver transplantation.
-
Early Liver Transplant for Severe Alcoholic Hepatitis
A hospital-based program is studying whether offering an early liver transplant to patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis can save lives when standard medical treatment fails.
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Early liver transplant for severe alcoholic hepatitis (SAH) to save lives
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.