Targeting IL-1 in severe alcohol-related hepatitis: How many frogs will we need to kiss to find an effective therapy?

Alcohol-related hepatitis (AH) is an acute presentation of alcohol-related liver disease characterised by jaundice and features of liver failure on a background of heavy and recent alcohol consumption.1 In the severe form, defined by Maddrey ’s discriminant function ≥32 or model for end-stage liver disease score (MELD) ≥20, mortality is around 30% at 90 days after presentation. Although corticosteroids are frequently used as specific treatment for severe AH, a meta-analysis of numerous clinical trials demonstrated only a short ter m (1 month) survival benefit which was lost by 3 months.
Source: Journal of Hepatology - Category: Gastroenterology Authors: Tags: Editorial Source Type: research