New biomarkers to predict outcomes after hospitalization for decompensated cirrhosis

Validation of New Prognostic biomarkerRs in Patients With cirrhOsis diScharged After a hosPitalization Due to acutE deCompensation or acuTe-on-chronic Liver Failure

Observational European Foundation for Study of Chronic Liver Failure · NCT06855056

This will test whether new blood and molecular markers can help predict which adults with decompensated liver cirrhosis will do well or have complications after they leave the hospital.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment189 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 80 Years
SexAll
SponsorEuropean Foundation for Study of Chronic Liver Failure Academic / other
Locations9 sites (Clichy, France and 8 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06855056 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

PROSPECT enrolls adults hospitalized for acute decompensation of cirrhosis who have recovered and are expected to be discharged within 48 hours, collecting biological samples for biomarker testing. The work builds on multi-cohort -omics analyses (lipidomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, micro-RNA, metabolomics, cytokines, extracellular vesicles) done in CANONIC, PREDICT, and ACLARA under the EU DECISION program. Both systems-medicine and conventional analytic methods are being used to link molecular signatures to clinical outcomes. The current study aims to validate candidate prognostic biomarkers already identified in those large observational cohorts across participating European centers.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 18–80 who were hospitalized for acute decompensation of liver cirrhosis (with or without ACLF during admission), have recovered from the acute event, and are expected to be discharged within 48 hours are the intended participants.

Not a fit: Patients with active nonallowed cancers, very recent or planned antiviral starts, uncontrolled alcohol use, certain untreated HIV/AIDS, planned admissions for procedures, or those not treated at participating hospitals are unlikely to be eligible or benefit from this validation effort.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, these biomarkers could help doctors identify patients at higher risk after discharge so they can receive closer follow-up or tailored treatments to reduce complications and death.

How similar studies have performed: Previous multi-omics analyses within the DECISION program and large cohorts have produced promising candidate biomarkers, but these require prospective validation as planned here.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age between 18 and 80 years.
2. Patients with decompensated cirrhosis admitted to hospital due to AD according to the EASL-CLIF criteria (rapid onset of ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, portal hypertensive- related gastrointestinal bleeding, bacterial infection, or any combination of these), including those who presented ACLF during hospitalization.
3. Recovery from AD and expected to be discharged within the next 48 hours.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Admission for planned diagnostic or therapeutic procedures
2. Active malignancy (except for hepatocellular carcinoma within the Milan criteria or nonmelanocytic skin cancer)
3. Antiviral treatment for hepatitis C, B and delta initiated in the last 6 months or planned to be initiated in the following 6 months.
4. HIV positive (except undergoing treatment and who do not exhibit clinical manifestations of AIDS).
5. Ongoing alcohol use disorder with an expected low adherence to prescriptions as judged by physician
6. Previous liver or other organ transplantation
7. Patients with TIPS or other surgical porto-caval shunts
8. Chronic organic renal failure stage IV and V or estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate \<20 ml/min according to the MDRD equations
9. Chronic heart failure NYHA class III or IV
10. Pulmonary disease GOLD III or IV
11. Patients with a history of significant extrahepatic disease with life expectancy \<6 months
12. Severe psychiatric disorders
13. Pregnancy and breast-feeding
14. Expected low adherence to study protocol as judged by physician
15. Patients who cannot provide written informed consent or refuse to participate

Where this trial is running

Clichy, France and 8 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Liver CirrhosisDecompensated Cirrhosis of LiverDecompensated Liver CirrhosisAcute on Chronic Liver FailureLiver DiseasesBiomarkers
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.