The future is bright for the continued development of novel gene therapy approaches in liver disease. But, a deeper understanding of off-target effects and immune responses generated in host cells by gene carriers is needed to fully realize their potential. This workshop will provide an overview of current and emerging therapeutic gene editing strategies for liver diseases. Speakers will discuss how novel genome editing techniques and designer nucleases offer the ability to carry out sophisticated gene function studies in vivo.

Given recent attention to healthcare reform efforts in the U.S., a greater emphasis is being placed on generating and synthesizing evidence to inform policies affecting the clinical practice of hepatology. In turn, this program will review and teach attendees about the most common research designs and analytic methods associated with the conduct of healthcare delivery research.

Identifying best practices in the difficult management of patients with liver disease in the community outpatient setting is an important topic in clinical hepatology. It is particularly important to look at the approach to patients with non-alcoholic liver disease that are not  candidates for research studies, the management of portal hypertension and portal vein thrombosis, and outpatient intervention and monitoring of patients with cirrhosis and renal insufficiency.

Patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure frequently present to the ICU for care, and the mortality rate for cirrhotic patients requiring ICU approaches 50 percent.  Unique physiologic characteristics in the patient population warrant specialized, multidisciplinary, approaches to care.  The goal of this program is to further develop dialog between surgeons, hepatologists and intensive care unit teams to better deliver care to this complex patient population by focusing on the complex physiology of chronic liver failure.  In addition, we will devote special attention to are

Now, more than ever, hepatologists and hepatology health professionals must guide personalized treatment plans for their patients. 21st Century Hepatology will help you do just that by discussing new and best evidence, therapeutic advances, and breakthroughs on the horizon. From the application of biomarkers to genetics and lifestyle, this course offers a state-of-the art look at translating discoveries into modern-day hepatology practice.Ronald J. Sokol Michael P. Manns Naga P. Chalasani Naga P. Chalasani, MD, FAASLD currently serves as David W.

As HCV therapies now achieve high rates of SVR across a broad spectrum of individuals in patient care, there is a need to consider those HCV-infected persons who are not or may have difficulty accessing care or engaging in HCV therapy. Additionally, aspects related to prevention of reinfection are relevant in these difficult to reach populations. This program is targeting HCV SIG clinicians, public and global health experts as well as patient advocates with the goal of sharing expertise on how to improve the cascade of care in the “difficult to reach” populations.Mark W. Russo Mark W.

With the rising epidemic of NASH and NASH-related end stage liver disease, there is a pressing need to better define the pathogenesis of NASH, identify meaningful biomarkers and effective treatments.

If you are considering a career in hepatology, this is the course for you. The Career Development Workshop will educate medical students or residents who are considering a career in hepatology about training opportunities as well as arm current GI and/ or hepatology fellows with knowledge to help them succeed in academic hepatology. Attendees will learn about clinical and basic science research, funding mechanisms, mentorship and important career crossroads.

Alcoholic Hepatitis is the most severe form of Alcoholic Liver Disease (ALD). Currently the most effective form of treatment is Prednisolone, to which many patients do not respond. In the last years, there has been great interest in the development of new targeted therapies for alcoholic hepatitis. In the U.S., there are 4 NIAAA-funded consortia to develop such therapies.

Review the rapidly evolving landscape of non-invasive diagnostic tools for the diagnosis and staging of NAFLD. Non-invasive Diagnosis of NASH will look at the current role of — and available alternatives to —liver biopsy in the assessment of NASH and discuss the controversial issue of utilizing liver biopsy as the “gold-standard” endpoint in clinical trials.