Project Leader: Prof. Mauro Panteghini
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), previously defined as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), affects 30% of adults worldwide and is the second most common cause of end-stage liver disease and liver transplantation in Europe. Approximately 30–60% of MASLD patients develop non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which can lead to advanced liver fibrosis (ALF), increasing the risk of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Early identification of patients at high risk of ALF is crucial, particularly in primary healthcare settings.
The gold standard for assessing liver fibrosis and diagnosing ALF is biopsy; however, its invasive nature, associated risk of complications, technical limitations in obtaining tissue samples, and limited accessibility prevent its widespread use. In recent years, research has focused on non-invasive methods for assessing liver fibrosis, particularly laboratory tests and liver elastography (FibroScan). Nevertheless, these methods are not yet widely used in healthcare due to limited access to imaging techniques (FibroScan) and the lack of validated laboratory-based algorithms for MASLD patients, especially in Central European countries such as Poland, where metabolic disorders are increasingly prevalent.
The goal of the LFR research team is to develop and evaluate new diagnostic algorithms based on indirect routine laboratory tests assessing liver fibrosis (e.g., ALT, AST, platelet count) and direct fibrosis markers (components of the extracellular matrix) measured in blood, to improve ALF risk stratification. Biomarker-based algorithms provide a simple and cost-effective alternative to invasive procedures and specialized imaging studies. Their implementation in routine diagnostics could revolutionize liver disease screening, enabling early identification of individuals at risk of ALF. This strategy facilitates early intervention to prevent disease progression and optimizes healthcare costs by reducing unnecessary specialist referrals.
The project aligns with the objectives of Priority Research Areas, particularly Clinical Medicine and Healthcare, contributing to the development of new diagnostic methods that significantly enhance preventive and therapeutic strategies.
The research team consists of four physicians and five laboratory diagnosticians, including two professors, two habilitated doctors, and five PhDs, with specializations in internal medicine, diabetology, hepatology, and laboratory medicine, ensuring a multidisciplinary approach:
- Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, Faculty of Pharmacy, CM UMK: Prof. Mauro Panteghini (leader), Dr. hab. Magdalena Krintus, Prof. UMK; Dr. hab. Anna Stefańska, Prof. UMK; Dr. Katarzyna Bergmann, Dr. Łukasz Szternel, Dr. Joanna Siódmiak, Mgr Aleksandra Wolska
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Faculty of Medicine, CM UMK: Prof. dr hab. Roman Junik, Dr. Szymon Suwała
- Hepatology Clinic, Gizińscy Medical Center, Bydgoszcz: Dr. Paweł Rajewski
The project also enables interdisciplinary collaboration with other UMK units across various scientific disciplines, including the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science for data modeling and algorithm development, and the Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences for evaluating the impact of socio-economic factors on ALF risk.