Research and Clinical Trials
Through research, important advances in the treatment of liver disease continue to emerge. Clinical trials of innovative therapies designed to halt the progression of reverse liver injury are currently underway. Our current research is focused on:
- Molecular imaging to refine estimates of liver function
- Fatty liver and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (see fattyliver.ucsd.edu)
- Patient-centered outcomes research in liver disease
- Epidemiology of liver disease
- Advances in viral hepatitis screening and treatment
- Second generation antivirals and interferon-free regimens for hepatitis C
- New surgical techniques for resection of cancerous liver
- Bioartificial livers as a bridge for patients prior to liver transplantation
- The role of proteins and genes in liver malignancies
- Refinement of immunosuppression therapy to halt the recurrence and severity of hepatitis C after liver transplantation
- Effects of chronic liver diseases on emotional, social and cognitive functioning
- New therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma
- Complementary and alternative medicine for liver disease
- Hepatic encephalopathy
Read more about research at the Center for Transplantation at UC San Diego Health System.
Current Research Projects
For questions related to the following research projects, please contact Natali Navarro at 619-471-3922 or send an email to n1navarrocazarez@ucsd.edu.
Liver Research Biorepository
The UC San Diego Liver Research Biorepository serves the San Diego community by providing channels for the procurement, storage, distribution and study of human tissues and blood specimens. Current activities and services include collecting and banking tissue specimens from surgical materials in liver transplants, resections and biopsies, processing and banking blood, maintaining a sample database with extensive clinical and pathological data, and coordinating patient consent.
Retrospective Analysis of UC San Diego Health System's Liver Patient Population
This retrospective study of UC San Diego Health System's liver patient population helps the hepatology research group to understand our patient population. All data collected through medical charts and archived pathological specimens is expected to help facilitate how we plan and target future clinical research studies.
Barriers to Hepatitis B Screening and Awareness Among Asian Populations in San Diego County
This survey-based study is a joint effort between UC San Diego Health System and the Asian Pacific Health Foundation. The aim of this project is to identify the sociocultural barriers preventing effective screening and vaccination for hepatitis B among San Diego County’s Asian population . This study offers educational sessions to the Asian Pacific population through community outreach events.
Hepatitis Free San Diego: Screening for Viral Hepatitis, Its Role in Linkage to Care and Economic Ramifications in Healthcare
Hepatitis Free San Diego will be a countywide campaign to screen San Diego residents for hepatitis B and C. This project will provide free hepatitis B and C testing through a Point of Care (POC) system to adults at locations throughout San Diego. The aim is to increase the amount of people tested, diagnosed and, ultimately, treated for these diseases. We hope to show POC testing not only increases linkages to care but also establishes a path to treatment for those who are diagnosed with hepatitis B or C.
Correlations Between HBsAg Levels and Disease Severity, Progression and Prognosis
The purpose of this study is to better understand the correlations between hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) concentration and disease severity, progression and prognosis of chronic hepatitis B infection. A sensitive and reliable assay for HBsAg quantification will be used to correlate the amount of HBsAg in serum with the clinical, biochemical and virological features of each subject.
GI/Hepatology Patient Research Registry
Clinicians and researchers at UC San Diego Health System Division of Gastroenterology will create and maintain a research registry using data from patients receiving medical care at UC San Diego Health System. The purpose of this study is to use the Patient Research Registry (PRR) to promote and improve patients’ access to medical studies and clinical trials.
Physician-Scientist Research Laboratories and Centers at UC San Diego Affiliated with the Liver Center and the Center for Transplantation
Publications
View titles and abstracts of scientific articles written by UC San Diego Health System liver specialists.
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are highly regulated health research studies that move advances in the treatment of disease forward into clinical practice. They offer people the chance to receive newly developed therapies and provide crucial information for improving care. UC San Diego Health System is currently conducting clinical trials relating to a broad spectrum of liver diseases and issues related to abdominal transplantation. Find clinical trials currently seeking participants at the link below or call 619-543-5459.
Also visit the Clinical Translational Research Institute (CTRI) for more information on clinical research in health sciences.