Prediction and Prevention of Liver Decompensation in Cirrhosis Patients
Official title: Prediction and Prevention of Hepatic Decompensation in Patients with Cirrhosis
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11591423 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study at Duke aims to find factors that cause liver deterioration in people with cirrhosis and test whether a common cholesterol drug (statin) can help prevent worsening liver function.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2021 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $234,893 |
| NIH project number | 5U01DK130177-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11591423 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with diagnosed cirrhosis who are at high risk for hepatic decompensation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not at high risk or those who cannot safely take statins may receive limited or no benefit.
What this research studies
If you have cirrhosis, this project will follow patients over time to identify risks that lead to liver decompensation. It plans to test an interventional trial using a statin to see if it can preserve liver function in high-risk individuals. Researchers will collect data from participants to understand how liver trouble affects other organs and overall health. The study is grounded in how impaired liver regeneration may drive cirrhosis progression, with the hope of slowing or preventing complications.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could help people with cirrhosis maintain better liver function and delay serious complications.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in liver disease has shown promise with markers and interventions, but this study explores a targeted statin approach in a high-risk cirrhosis population.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Moylan, Cynthia a — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Moylan, Cynthia a
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Statin therapy for people with compensated cirrhosis
A big, long-term study at a major university is looking at whether statins can help people with compensated cirrhosis live longer and feel better.
-
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.
-
Outcomes in cirrhosis from different causes and the role of HIV and simvastatin
This study looks at how cirrhosis from alcohol, HIV, and other causes affects patients and whether simvastatin can influence outcomes.
-
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.
-
Understanding how risk factors affect progression of cirrhosis and response to statins in patients with cirrhosis
This project follows people with cirrhosis to see what factors speed up their liver disease and whether statin medicines help prevent worsening.
-
Cirrhosis Network study to understand mortality and therapies
A large, multi-center study in people with cirrhosis to find better ways to predict deaths and test the potential of statins to prevent complications like liver cancer and liver failure.
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.