New treatments for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Official title: Them1 Inhibitors for the Management of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-11084502 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at new medicines that could help people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by targeting a specific enzyme to improve how the body handles fat and reduce liver inflammation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $499,999 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK133988-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11084502 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with alcoholic liver disease or other liver conditions unrelated to fatty liver may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing new medications to treat non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by targeting a specific enzyme called Them1, which plays a crucial role in fat metabolism. The approach involves creating small molecule inhibitors that can improve the body's ability to manage fat and reduce liver inflammation. The research will test these inhibitors in laboratory settings, including cell cultures and animal models, to ensure they are safe and effective. If successful, these treatments could help patients with NAFLD manage their condition more effectively.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide new, effective treatments for patients suffering from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting similar metabolic pathways for treating liver diseases, indicating potential for success in this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cohen, David E. — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Cohen, David E.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Role of fat droplets in liver fat and inflammatory signals in NAFLD
A study at Johns Hopkins will explore how fat droplets in the liver influence molecules that drive inflammation and progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in adults.
-
Them1 Inhibitors to Help Treat Fatty Liver Disease
Aims to develop and test small molecule drugs that block Them1 to help people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
-
How the TET1 gene affects non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Researchers are looking at whether changes in the TET1 gene and DNA 'tagging' (methylation) play a role in adult non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
-
Hepatocellular Genetic Clues for Fatty Liver in Hispanic Adults
A large NIH grant helps researchers study why fatty liver develops in Hispanic adults and how genetics interact with lifestyle to affect risk.
-
Toxic fats, vitamin B12 loss, and AHR may drive fatty liver disease
This grant looks at how certain environmental chemicals may trigger liver damage linked to fatty liver disease and how a vitamin found in the blood could be affected.
-
Glutamine and T cells in fatty liver disease
A study explores how liver glutamine levels affect inflammatory CD4+ T cells in fatty liver disease to find potential new ways to reduce liver inflammation.
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.