Liver cirrhosis network coordinating treatments and patient data
Official title: Liver Cirrhosis Network: Scientific and Data Coordination Center
Funded at Northwestern University · NIH-11180469 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This program brings hospitals together to run and organize tests of treatments and care approaches for people living with liver cirrhosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | August 28, 2021 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,911,512 |
| NIH project number | 5U24DK130164-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11180469 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults diagnosed with liver cirrhosis, especially those at risk for or experiencing complications such as ascites, variceal bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy, or early signs of liver cancer, would be the main candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without liver disease, those already transplanted, or patients seeking immediate curative therapy rather than participation in coordinated studies are unlikely to benefit directly from this center's activities.
What this research studies
If I join, the network would enroll me at a participating clinic and collect standardized health information, lab results, and outcomes related to liver cirrhosis. The coordinating center helps set up clinical trials and observational studies across multiple sites, standardizes case report forms and data collection, and manages the combined dataset. Researchers use these shared data to compare treatments such as medications, beta-blockers, lifestyle changes, and other approaches to reduce complications like bleeding, ascites, and confusion. The center also supports analysis to understand risks like liver cancer and to speed trustworthy results back to doctors and patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to clearer treatment recommendations and fewer complications or hospitalizations for people with cirrhosis.
How similar studies have gone: Prior meta-analyses and a small number of randomized trials outside the U.S. suggest approaches like statins may help, but large, coordinated U.S.-based randomized evidence remains limited.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Smith, Abigail — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Smith, Abigail
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Liver Cirrhosis Network: Centers for Clinical Research
A multicenter study in people with cirrhosis from different causes (including HIV, NASH, and alcohol-related liver disease) to collect data and samples and test new ways to predict and monitor disease progression.
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Liver Cirrhosis Network: Mayo Clinic's Clinical Research Center
A Mayo Clinic-led project will follow and help people with compensated cirrhosis, using data, imaging, and a big AI tool to predict when complications may happen and test whether a statin can improve outcomes.
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Liver Cirrhosis Network: Longitudinal and Clinical Trial Studies
A network-wide NIH study focused on understanding cirrhosis better to prevent complications and improve care for people with advanced liver disease.
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Liver Cirrhosis Network: Coordinating Data for Better Care
A national effort is coordinating data to improve care for people with advanced liver disease and its complications.
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Liver Cirrhosis Network coordinating cirrhosis studies and a rosuvastatin trial
This project follows people with liver cirrhosis over time and tests whether the cholesterol medicine rosuvastatin helps people with cirrhosis.
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First-in-class treatment for liver cirrhosis with portal hypertension
A new therapy called XFB19 aims to reduce liver inflammation and scarring in people with advanced liver disease and portal hypertension.
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.