Personalized Approaches to Metabolic Liver Disease and MASH Management
Release Date: 11/04/2025
AI, HER2-Low, and the Future of Precision Oncology
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Late-Stage Breast Cancer Diagnosis Among Black Women in the Mid-South
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Understanding Cancer Disparities, Mistrust, and Access to Care
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In this episode of MD Newsline, Dr. Jordonna Brown, a medical oncologist at Kings County Hospital in New York City, shares her frontline experience caring for patients in a safety-net hospital setting. Speaking from the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS), Dr. Brown discusses cancer disparities, late-stage presentation, mistrust in the healthcare system, and the evolving landscape of breast cancer treatment. She offers a candid look at the social determinants of health shaping patient outcomes—from delayed screening and misconceptions about chemotherapy to barriers in long-term...
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Inflammation and Resistance in MDS & AML: Targeting the JAK-STAT Axis
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In this episode of MD Newsline, Dr. Theodoros Karantanos, Assistant Professor of Medical Oncology at the Johns Hopkins University Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, discusses the emerging role of inflammatory signaling in high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Dr. Karantanos shares insights from his laboratory research exploring how inflammatory pathways—particularly interferon gamma and JAK-STAT signaling—contribute to treatment resistance, including resistance to venetoclax. He also highlights the impact of TP53 mutations, bone marrow microenvironment...
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Host Factors in Immunotherapy: How Sex, Aging, and Lifestyle Shape Cancer Outcomes
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The Psychology of Prevention: Behavioral Strategies for Better Health Outcomes
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In this episode of MD Newsline, behavioral scientist Dr. Josh Klapow, registered dietitian Kim Shapira, and health advocate Sishman Rimpson explore the powerful connection between psychology, nutrition, and long-term health outcomes. Together, they unpack how behavioral patterns, mindset, and sustainable lifestyle changes influence chronic disease prevention and patient adherence. The discussion highlights the real-world challenges patients face when attempting to modify diet, physical activity, and stress management—and how healthcare professionals can better support lasting change...
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Beyond Statins: Modern Cholesterol Care, Risk Assessment, and the Future of Lipid Therapy
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info_outlineIn this episode of MD Newsline, Dr. Christopher Kaisa, Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition at the University of Chicago Medicine, provides an in-depth discussion on Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH) and the evolving strategies for its management. He explains the latest non-invasive diagnostic tools, pharmacologic advancements, and the importance of multidisciplinary care in improving outcomes for patients with metabolic liver disease.
Episode Highlights: Patient Populations and Risk Factors Dr. Kaisa describes how obesity, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension significantly increase the risk of developing MASH. He notes that up to 75% of patients with obesity and diabetes may have some form of fatty liver disease—underscoring the urgent need for early detection and intervention. Gaps in Primary Care and Early DetectionHe discusses existing gaps in primary care screening, emphasizing the importance of education and access to specialized metabolic liver clinics. Early identification of at-risk patients using tools like FibroScan and non-invasive fibrosis scores can dramatically change patient trajectories.
Risk Stratification and Fibrosis AssessmentDr. Kaisa details how fibrosis staging correlates with both cardiovascular and liver-related mortality. He explains the use of non-invasive tests (NITs)—including FibroScan and fibrosis scores—to monitor disease progression and therapy response over time.
Therapies and MonitoringThe episode highlights new treatments, such as resmetirom and GLP-1 receptor agonists (e.g., semaglutide), which have shown fibrotic and inflammatory benefits in clinical trials. Dr. Kaisa explains how these agents are monitored, when to adjust dosages, and how to manage common gastrointestinal side effects.
Multidisciplinary CollaborationDr. Kaisa emphasizes the value of a multidisciplinary team, including hepatologists, endocrinologists, dietitians, and pharmacists, to manage the complex comorbidities associated with MASH. This integrated approach enables personalized and effective care for each patient.
The Role of Genetics and Personalized MedicineHe also discusses the PNPLA3 genetic variant, a known risk factor among certain ethnic groups, particularly those of Hispanic descent. Recognizing genetic predispositions helps clinicians counsel patients on modifiable risk factors such as diet, exercise, and metabolic control.
Clinical Trials and Access to New TreatmentsDr. Kaisa explains how clinical trials serve as vital access points for emerging therapies, especially for patients who may not tolerate or qualify for current treatments. He stresses the need to broaden patient participation in research to ensure equitable advancement in the field.
Key Takeaway
Dr. Kaisa underscores the critical importance of early detection, comprehensive metabolic management, and multidisciplinary collaboration in treating MASH. With the recent FDA approval of semaglutide for MASH, and ongoing advancements in personalized medicine, clinicians have powerful new tools to change the trajectory of this increasingly prevalent disease.
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