Evaluating early liver transplantation for patients with 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-10893429 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how early liver transplants can help people with severe liver disease caused by alcohol, even before they’ve stopped drinking for six months, to make sure more patients get the care they need and improve their chances of recovery.
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 | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $390,224 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA030965-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10893429 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals over 21 years old with severe alcohol-associated liver disease who are being considered for early liver transplantation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with mild liver disease or those who do not meet the criteria for liver transplantation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the outcomes of early liver transplantation (ELT) for patients suffering from severe alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD). It involves a longitudinal cohort of patients who are evaluated for transplantation before the traditional six-month abstinence period. The study aims to refine selection criteria and management practices for these patients, addressing the variability in current practices and improving access to life-saving care. By analyzing treatment efficacy and predicting liver recompensation, the research seeks to enhance patient outcomes and organ utilization.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a pathway for earlier liver transplantation, potentially saving lives and improving recovery for patients with severe alcohol-related liver disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results with early liver transplantation approaches, but this study aims to establish more standardized practices in a field that has seen significant variability.
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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-
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-
Regulatory dendritic cell therapy to reduce immunosuppressive drugs after liver transplant
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-
HOPE liver transplant: reducing infections and cancer risk for HIV-positive recipients
This grant aims to better understand why HIV-positive liver transplant recipients face higher infection and cancer risks and to improve safety and outcomes for these patients.
-
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.
-
Early liver transplant for severe alcoholic hepatitis (SAH) to save lives
A Johns Hopkins program is testing whether giving an early liver transplant to patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis who can’t be helped by standard treatments can save lives and reduce relapse risk.
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.