This cutting-edge session focuses on current and upcoming treatments for hepatitis B and hepatitis D. Presenters also discuss important updates from recent viral hepatitis guidelines across the world regarding the management of hepatitis B, and provide insight into global pediatric issues related to hepatitis B and hepatitis D.
Metabolic syndrome and obesity are increasingly prevalent among persons with liver disease, particularly in those with metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). As hepatologists incorporate powerful incretin therapies into their treatment arsenal, understanding their optimal use in diverse and special populations becomes essential—and is the focus of this session.
Presenters discuss emerging evidence that highlights the importance of tailoring these therapies to unique patient groups including: (1) liver transplant candidates, recipients, and donors; (2) women with reproductive considerations; (3) Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) populations; and (4) nonobese individuals with metabolic syndrome. Speakers explore the latest insights and practical approaches for applying incretin therapies in these distinct populations, aiming to guide clinicians in personalized and effective management strategies.
The definition and research framework for acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) remain fragmented across different regions of the world. The primary objective is to bring together global experts, field leaders, and researchers to work collaboratively toward a unified understanding of ACLF. ACLF should be recognized as a single disease entity—similar to acute liver failure (ALF) or other well-defined disease etiologies—with clearly established diagnostic criteria, standardized therapeutic algorithms, and uniform patient management pathways. Such harmonization will facilitate collaborative research, attract industry support, enable competitive research funding, and, most importantly, represent a critical step toward improving patient survival and outcomes in this high-mortality condition. Key topics addressed in this session include:
Presenters highlight recent advances in the management of liver diseases commonly encountered in general gastroenterology and community-based inpatient practices. Using a case-based approach, speakers address:
This infomative symposium examines the care of patients with alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) from an equity and inclusion perspective. Key topics include: equity in the transplant candidate selection process; socioeconomic factors that limit access to care among those with alcohol use disorder (AUD); and reducing the stigma associated with ALD and AUD.
Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a leading driver of fibrosis progression and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), with implications that extend beyond the liver. This joint session traces the clinical continuum from MASLD/metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis (MASH) to liver cancer, highlighting how metabolic inflammation, fibrosis, and comorbidity shape cancer risk, prevention, and treatment.
The first part of the session focuses on MASLD/MASH as a systemic, pro-oncogenic condition. Topics include: (1) epidemiologic links between MASLD and hepatic and extrahepatic malignancies; (2) inflammation as a clinical framework connecting metabolic dysfunction, fibrosis progression, and cancer risk; (3) fibrosis as the key inflection point for risk stratification using noninvasive tools; and (4) the impact of contemporary MASH therapies on inflammation, fibrosis dynamics, and long-term oncologic outcomes.
The second part of the session follows the MASLD/MASH fibrosis to cancer continuum across liver cancer. Topics include: (1) mechanistic insights into how fibroinflammatory signaling and stromal remodeling enable tumor initiation and immune evasion; (2) risk-stratified HCC surveillance that moves beyond cirrhosis only paradigms, integrating fibrosis assessment with practical pathways when ultrasound visualization is inadequate; (3) cancer prevention and interception strategies in advanced fibrosis, including chemopreventive signals and pragmatic trial designs; and (4) immuno-oncology–era treatment of MASLD/MASH–associated HCC, emphasizing how fibrosis burden and metabolic comorbidity influence selection and sequencing of systemic and locoregional therapies.
Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a leading driver of fibrosis progression and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), with implications that extend beyond the liver. This joint session traces the clinical continuum from MASLD/metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis (MASH) to liver cancer, highlighting how metabolic inflammation, fibrosis, and comorbidity shape cancer risk, prevention, and treatment.
The first part of the session focuses on MASLD/MASH as a systemic, pro-oncogenic condition. Topics include: (1) epidemiologic links between MASLD and hepatic and extrahepatic malignancies; (2) inflammation as a clinical framework connecting metabolic dysfunction, fibrosis progression, and cancer risk; (3) fibrosis as the key inflection point for risk stratification using noninvasive tools; and (4) the impact of contemporary MASH therapies on inflammation, fibrosis dynamics, and long-term oncologic outcomes.
The second part of the session follows the MASLD/MASH fibrosis to cancer continuum across liver cancer. Topics include: (1) mechanistic insights into how fibroinflammatory signaling and stromal remodeling enable tumor initiation and immune evasion; (2) risk-stratified HCC surveillance that moves beyond cirrhosis only paradigms, integrating fibrosis assessment with practical pathways when ultrasound visualization is inadequate; (3) cancer prevention and interception strategies in advanced fibrosis, including chemopreventive signals and pragmatic trial designs; and (4) immuno-oncology–era treatment of MASLD/MASH–associated HCC, emphasizing how fibrosis burden and metabolic comorbidity influence selection and sequencing of systemic and locoregional therapies.
The 2026 Transplant Course—jointly presented by American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases and the International Liver Transplantation Society—is a premier international educational forum for transplant surgeons, hepatologists, and multidisciplinary transplant professionals.
Bringing together globally recognized faculty, the course offers expert-led sessions and case-based discussions focused on contemporary clinical practice, ethical and regulatory considerations, and emerging innovations in liver transplantation. Key topics include: living donor and donation after circulatory death (DCD) transplantation; equitable organ utilization; outcomes optimization; and the responsible integration of new technologies. Organizers aim to provide attendees with practical, actionable insights to enhance patient-centered care, strengthen transplant program quality, and contribute to the evolving future of liver transplantation worldwide.
Session 1: Living Donor Liver Tranplantation
Session 2: Transplant Oncology
Session 3: When to say no to the Prospective Liver Transplant Recipient
Session 4: Controversies and Challenges in Organ Transplantation Beyond Liver
Session 5: Wellness of the Transplant Team
This workshop highlights the evolving landscape of cirrhosis diagnosis and management, and explores how these changes are reshaping clinical research. Faculty challenge the traditional approaches to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) screening, and portal hypertension assessment and management. Presenters discuss the evolving concept of cirrhosis recompensation with a focus on implications for clinical trial design, end points, and patient stratification. Faculty provide a forward-looking view of cirrhosis research and address key research questions that need to be addressed in the near future. The workshop includes 3 breakout sessions where attendees have the opportunity to interact with experts in smaller groups to discuss clinical research topics of interest, including: (1) noninvasive tools for the management of portal hypertension; (2) recompensation in alcohol-associated liver disease; and (3) the future of HCC screening.
This workshop highlights the evolving landscape of cirrhosis diagnosis and management, and explores how these changes are reshaping clinical research. Faculty challenge the traditional approaches to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) screening, and portal hypertension assessment and management. Presenters discuss the evolving concept of cirrhosis recompensation with a focus on implications for clinical trial design, end points, and patient stratification. Faculty provide a forward-looking view of cirrhosis research and address key research questions that need to be addressed in the near future. The workshop includes 3 breakout sessions where attendees have the opportunity to interact with experts in smaller groups to discuss clinical research topics of interest, including: (1) noninvasive tools for the management of portal hypertension; (2) recompensation in alcohol-associated liver disease; and (3) the future of HCC screening.