Chronic liver disease is a major cause of poor quality of life and is a contributor to excess death, making it a significant concern for both patients and the NHS.

In our liver disease theme, we explore the contribution that the ageing process makes to the biology of liver disease. To do this, we harness the expertise of Newcastle’s world-class ageing biology research.

Theme co-leads are; Quentin Anstee, Professor of Experimental Hepatology and an Honorary Consultant Hepatologist at Newcastle Hospitals. He leads one of the largest MASLD clinical services in the UK.

And Helen Reeves, Professor of Liver Cancer and an Honorary Consultant Hepatologist at Newcastle Hospitals. She leads care for patients with liver disease and cancer in the UK.

 

What we cover in this theme

Newcastle BRC’s Liver Disease Theme studies the following conditions:

  • Metabolic Dysfunction Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD)
  • Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)
  • Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC)
  • Auto immune hepatitis (AIH)

We are researching the mechanisms behind these conditions in order to find treatments that can improve the quality life and survival of those affected.  

Published Papers

Awards

  1. THRIVE project – Tumor-host interactions in liver cancer of childhood and adults

THRIVE is an EU-funded initiative that brings together a strong and multidisciplinary team with 13 partners, from 8 countries, with complementary expertise in liver cancer research and in the use of cutting-edge technologies

Prof. Helen Reeves is leading the evaluation of clinical/molecular features to identify determinant of liver cancer onset and progression (WP2)

  1. NASH-DTA/ADVANCE (£20 million, 2022 to date). Prof Quentin Anstee and the consortium leverages the latest advances in integrative multi-omics technologies to study the pathophysiology of cirrhosis and its downstream complications including hepatic decompensation and HCC.

 

  1. Dr Kate Hallsworth, Physiotherapist and Allied Health Care Professional (AHP)

Supported by the Liver Theme, Dr Kate Hallsworth has secured an NIHR Senior Clinical and Practitioner Research Award – 5 year personal fellowship (NIHR304350). She has also received a NuTH Celebrating Excellence Award for the Active Hospitals Team in the Innovation, Transformation and Research category. She is an integral part of our AHP team, supporting ongoing clinical trials in our region, including ‘How can we improve the detection and management of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease in primary care settings? A qualitative interview study with healthcare professionals’ (running in Teesside). She has led the development and implementation of an innovative AHP-led group education programme for patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease at NuTH and she has been invited to be part of the European Association for Study of The Liver (EASL) Nurse and AHP Taskforce (3y tenure).

  1. Dr Laura Haigh, Academic dietician - completed PhD, secured a fellowship, led a study on Food Insecurity in patients with chronic liver disease, presented orally at BSG annual meeting July 2024. Howarth R et alO35 Gut 2024;73:A20-A21.

Additional Resources

placeholder related links block LIVErNORTH: The Charity for Liver Patients

 

Theme Leadership and Contacts