Single blood protein stands out among 30 tests for assessing fatty liver disease
The reliable assessment of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is crucial for determining the stage of the disease, initiating appropriate treatments and monitoring the course of therapy. To date, a liver biopsy has often been necessary for this purpose. In this invasive procedure, a tissue sample is taken and examined.
The LITMUS study examined 30 different biomarkers and test combinations for diagnosing metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and its more advanced form, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Conducted on 1,590 patients with confirmed MASLD via liver biopsy between 2018 and 2023 at 37 centers across Europe and the US, the study found that no single test met the predetermined threshold for early detection without significant fibrosis. However, several tests performed well in identifying significant fibrosis and cirrhosis.
Among the evaluated tests, thrombospondin-2 (TSP2) emerged as a particularly promising blood-based marker. TSP2 is a connective tissue protein whose blood concentration reliably indicates fibrotic changes in liver tissue associated with an increased risk of cirrhosis. The study highlights TSP2's potential as a non-invasive test for assessing progressive and advanced liver fibrosis and inflammation in MASLD.
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