Special Programs

Basic Science Symposium: Metabolic Landscape and Networks in Hepatobiliary Malignancies, Parts 1-4

8:00 AM - 5:30 PM

This basic science symposium delves into the intricate interplay between metabolism and liver cancer. The program brings together leading experts, researchers, and scientists from various fields to explore cutting-edge developments in the understanding of how metabolic processes impact the development and progression of liver malignancies. The session includes presentations on metabolic reprogramming; metabolic competition between cancer cells and cells of the tumor microenvironment; immunometabolism; metabolic plasticity; and therapeutic opportunities targeting liver cancer metabolism. Growing awareness of the significance and prevalence of these mechanisms is leading to a deeper understanding of their involvement in tumor initiation and advancement. This understanding, in turn, is guiding basic and translational liver cancer research to identify metabolic vulnerabilities of liver cancers that might be exploited as therapeutic strategies.

Postgraduate Course, Parts 1-4: The Future Is Here - Practicing Hepatology in 2024

8:00 AM - 5:30 PM

With rapid advancements in digital health, big data, and artificial intelligence, the practice of hepatology is undergoing a transformative evolution. This 4-session course provides comprehensive updates on crucially important diagnostics and therapeutics as they relate to persons with liver disease with a focus on innovation and changing paradigms. Each session is practical and interactive, featuring 4 lectures followed by a question-and-answer discussion with the panel.

Session 1 (8:00 AM - 9:30 AM): A Day in the Life of the Modern Hepatologist-Steatotic Liver Diseases: Addresses MASLD and ALD, modern risk-stratification techniques, and novel treatments for obesity and alcohol use disorders.

Session 2 (11:00 AM - 12:30 PM): Liver Cancers-New Solutions for Old Problems: Reviews novel risk stratification and surveillance methods, evolving paradigms for cholangiocarcinoma, and new treatments for HCC.

Session 3 (2:00 PM - 3:30 PM): Updates for the Liver Clinic in 2024: Covers hereditary, pediatric, autoimmune liver diseases, and viral hepatitis developments.

Session 4 (4:00 PM - 5:30 PM): Paradigm Shifts in Hepatology: Explores digital health disparities, new treatments for portal hypertension, and technological advances in organ donation.

Obesity Medicine Course, Part 1: Obesity Fundamentals

2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

This session focuses on providing a foundational understanding of obesity as a disease and equips health care professionals with essential tools for the evaluation and diagnosis of adult and pediatric persons with obesity. The course delves into the basic concepts defining obesity and its pathophysiology. Presenters explore the 4 pillars of obesity treatment: nutrition therapy, physical activity, behavior modification, and medical management. Continuing education credits earned at this session count as group 2 credits toward the American Board of Obesity Medicine qualifications for certification via the CME pathway.

Obesity Medicine Course, Part 2: Practical Approaches to Obesity Treatment: Strategies and Tools

4:00 PM - 5:30 PM

Building on the foundational knowledge acquired in part 1 of the obesity medicine course, this session focuses on practical strategies for treating adult and pediatric persons with obesity. Speakers present valuable tools to develop effective treatment plans for persons affected by obesity. The session also addresses how to ethically—and in a nonstigmatizing manner—evaluate persons for obesity and related diseases. Continuing education credits earned at this session count as group 2 credits toward the American Board of Obesity Medicine qualifications for certification via the CME pathway.

Hepatology Associates Course, Part 1: Viral Hepatitis and Alcohol Use Disorder in the Liver Clinic Today

8:00 AM - 9:30 AM

The hepatology associates course aims to expand participants' knowledge and thereby improve patient outcomes. Topics include viral hepatitis, alcohol use disorder in the liver clinic, liver biopsy in clinical practice, current noninvasive testing for portal hypertension, diagnosis of liver lesions, and practical use of genetics in liver clinical practice.

NASPGHAN Course: Harnessing Research and Clinical Breakthroughs in the Care of Children with Liver Disease

8:00 AM - 9:30 AM

Targeted research and clinical trials have resulted in considerable progress in novel treatment strategies for liver disease. This session highlights innovations in both adult and pediatric hepatology that have the capacity to transform the care of pediatric patients with a spectrum of liver disease. Topics include:

1. The current landscape of ileal bile acid transporter (IBAT) inhibitors for the treatment of children with Alagille syndrome and progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis, and investigation in other cholestatic liver diseases.
2. Utilization of existing and novel therapies for cures or bridging to transplant in pediatric acute liver failure, including terlipressin, bioartificial liver systems, and hepatocyte and auxiliary transplant.
3. Use of gene therapy in pediatric liver disease and the landscape for future innovations.
4. Overview of current and future therapeutics for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and applicability to young adults treated at pediatric centers.
5. Promising data on small interfering RNA therapy for alpha-1-antitrypsin disease and other applications.

Hepatology Associates Course, Part 2: Diagnostic Tools in Liver Disease

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

The hepatology associates course aims to expand participants' knowledge and thereby improve patient outcomes. Topics include viral hepatitis, alcohol use disorder in the liver clinic, liver biopsy in clinical practice, current noninvasive testing for portal hypertension, diagnosis of liver lesions, and practical use of genetics in liver clinical practice.

Point of Care Liver Ultrasound: The Next Frontier, Part 1

2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

This symposium will introduce the concept of point of care ultrasound (POCUS) of the liver as an extension of the clinical exam to be performed by hepatology providers. The symposium will provide a rationale for the use of POCUS, basics of liver ultrasonography, common applications and a path to implement POCUS in clinical practice.

Point-of-Care Liver Ultrasound: The Next Frontier, Part 2

5:00 PM - 6:30 PM

This course introduces the concept of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) of the liver as an extension of the clinical exam performed by hepatology professionals. The symposium reviews the rationale for use of POCUS; the basics of liver ultrasonography; common applications of liver ultrasonography; hands-on training in a simulated environment; and a proposed path to implement liver POCUS in clinical practice.