San Diego Liver Cirrhosis Network
San Diego Cirrhosis Clinical Research Network
This project tests whether taking statins like atorvastatin can lower the risk of liver cancer and complications in people living with cirrhosis by following a large, diverse group over time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11169045 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project will create a Liver Cirrhosis Network that follows people with cirrhosis at clinics over time. You would be seen at multiple centers and your health information, medication use (including statins), and blood samples may be collected on a regular schedule. Researchers will look for factors that predict worse outcomes such as liver cancer, ascites, bleeding, decompensation, or need for transplant and will compare results across causes like NASH, hepatitis C, and alcohol-related liver disease. The network will also support future randomized trials to test whether treatments like atorvastatin can reduce complications and death.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults diagnosed with liver cirrhosis (including from NASH, hepatitis C, or alcohol-related disease) who can attend participating clinical sites and are willing to provide clinical data and samples.
Not a fit: People without cirrhosis, children, or those with medical contraindications to statins or who cannot attend participating centers are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to clear guidance on using statins and other therapies to reduce liver cancer, hospitalizations, and deaths among people with cirrhosis.
How similar studies have performed: Prior observational studies and smaller analyses suggest statins may lower risks of liver cancer and decompensation, but large randomized trials are still needed to confirm benefit.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- University of California, San Diego — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Loomba, Rohit — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Loomba, Rohit
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 below.