Pediatric MASLD: a blood test to detect liver disease progression in kids
Official title: Integrative Single Cell and Serum Biomarker Discovery for Pediatric MASLD Progression
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11442484 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A child-friendly blood test is being developed to spot liver disease progression in kids with MASLD without needing biopsies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | September 11, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $440,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R21HD123190-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11442484 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are children and adolescents with suspected MASLD or related liver disease who require noninvasive monitoring.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without MASLD or those not undergoing blood-based testing for liver disease may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to connect what happens in the liver at the single-cell level with what shows up in the blood, to create an easy, biopsy-free test for kids with MASLD. It uses pediatric-focused biology to identify circulating markers that reflect liver immune activity and fibrosis. The goal is to provide a practical tool for early risk stratification and monitoring in routine pediatric care. The research is designed to better tailor care for children and reduce the need for invasive procedures.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the test could help doctors diagnose and monitor MASLD progression in children without repeated biopsies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work linking liver biology to blood biomarkers supports this approach, but pediatric-specific validation is still needed.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hartmann, Phillipp — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Hartmann, Phillipp
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Them1’s role in fat metabolism and MASLD progression
Aims to understand how a fat-regulating protein (Them1) affects energy use in fat and liver, and how this could contribute to MASLD in people who are overweight.
-
Understanding MASLD progression to MASH and liver cancer in Alaska Native communities
A patient-facing overview of a study that looks at why a common liver disease progresses to more serious conditions in Alaska Native and American Indian people.
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Growth Hormone and DNA Repair in Children's MASLD outcomes
A small, patient-friendly study will explore how growth hormone and the ATM DNA repair pathway affect liver health in children with MASLD.
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Isocaloric navy bean substitution for MASLD with fibrosis
A small, patient-friendly trial tests whether swapping in navy beans for some daily calories can help adults with MASLD and liver fibrosis without changing total calories.
-
S100A9+ immune cells driving liver scarring in MASLD/MASH
Affects people with MASLD/MASH may benefit from a better understanding of how certain immune cells contribute to liver fibrosis and how to stop it.
-
Multi-ancestry genetic study of MASLD with follow-up tests
A large genetics study will look for liver disease risk genes across diverse populations and follow up with functional tests to understand how these genes affect MASLD.
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.