MASLD is closely linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes and can lead to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.

MASLD affects several organs and systems. This includes the liver, gut, fat tissue, pancreas, and immune system. Having so many things involved makes the condition difficult to study. This is one reason for the lack of effective, widely approved treatments.

What is the MIMIC project?

MIMIC is a UK‑wide programme to improve MASLD research. The platform uses human cells from people affected by MASLD. Instead of looking at just the liver, these cells are used to create small models of organs. Such as the liver, gut, fat tissue, and parts of the immune system. These models are connected through fluid channels. This means that hormones, nutrients, and inflammatory signals can move between them.

The platform recreates the main features of fatty liver in the laboratory. Including liver scarring and metabolic dysfunction. Researchers can also see how organs communicate during metabolic disease.

The work aims to include cells from donors with different ethnic backgrounds.  This could help researchers learn how ethnicity affects who gets a condition. And how it develops.

The work is funded by the Medical Research Council, Wellcome Trust and the Innovate UK (UKRI3162).

Replacing animal testing

In 2025, the UK government announced a plan to cut down on and replace animal testing.  In the United States, animal testing is no longer automatically required before trials of new medicines. Both countries are encouraging the use of human‑relevant models, like MIMC, instead.  This strengthens the project’s relevance for future drug development.

Laboratory models can’t yet capture all the complexity and variety in real patients. And they cannot fully reproduce long-term disease processes. But MIMIC is an important part of the move toward more accurate, human‑focused science.

Who could benefit from this research?

This work is relevant to:

• people living with MASLD
• people with obesity or type 2 diabetes
• people with ongoing liver scarring, including fibrosis and cirrhosis

In the longer term, research may also help to reduce liver cancer risk in people with metabolic liver disease.

What could this mean for people with MASLD?

MASLD involves several organs. So treatments that target only the liver often have limited success. By recreating MASLD in a multiorgan system, MIMIC helps researchers:

• understand why the disease gets worse in some people but not others
• learn how someone’s genes could influence how liver scarring progresses
• study inflammation, metabolism, and scarring in combination
• study how processes such as insulin resistance or gut inflammation cause liver injury
• test new treatments in a more realistic way in the laboratory, before they reach clinical trials

This increases the likelihood that future medicines will be safer and more effective.

Several scientific discoveries made in animal models do not replicate when tested in humans. Where possible starting or using human relevant methods will reduce such a gap in translation.

-Prof Aithal

How will the research be tested?

Researchers will test the platform to see how well it predicts human responses. They will compare results from the platform with patient data.  This will make sure it accurately reflects real-life with MASLD. They will also use medicines with known effects to test the platform.

MIMIC will be tested and improved over time. It will also be linked to clinical data. This will make it more reliable. And more useful for developing new MASLD treatments.

Where and when is this research taking place?

The project is led by Professor Amir Ghaemmaghami from the University of Nottingham. It involves several UK and US institutions (Universities of Nottingham, Edinburgh, Southampton, Harvard, Quadram Institute and Medicines Discovery Catapult). As well as NHS‑linked centres (NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre).

These bring together experts in:

• liver disease (Profs Guruprasad Aithal and Prakash Ramchandran)
• metabolism (Profs Jaswinder Sethi and Naiara Beraza)
• immunology (Prof Amir Ghaemmaghami)
• bioengineering (Profs Shrike Zhang and Alvaro Mata).

MIMIC is ongoing, with findings expected over the next few years.

When might this make a difference for people with MASLD?

Some benefits, like improved safety testing for medications, may show up in 4 to 5 years. Larger impacts on day‑to‑day treatment will take longer.

But MIMIC lays an important foundation. In the future it could lead to faster and more accurate development of treatments for MASLD.

Find out more about MIMIC

Find out more about:

• MASLD
• The stages of liver disease
• Liver cancer
• Research

The post Recreating metabolic liver disease in the lab: how the MIMIC project could change MASLD research appeared first on British Liver Trust.

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Dr Ahmed Elsharkawy, a dedicated trustee of the British Liver Trust and a passionate advocate for people affected by liver disease.

The post A tribute to Dr Ahmed Elsharkawy appeared first on British Liver Trust.

This two-day event will bring together patients, carers, healthcare professionals, and advocates who share a passion for improving liver health. The programme will include practical training, expert discussions, and opportunities to connect with others working to advance liver care and policy in the UK.

The Advanced Advocacy Academy, developed by the Global Liver Institute, is designed to help participants build the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to advocate effectively for better liver health awareness, care, and policy.

Through interactive sessions and collaborative discussions, attendees will explore how patients, carers, and healthcare professionals can work together to influence change and improve outcomes for people affected by liver disease.

The event may be of interest to:

• People living with liver disease
• Carers and family members
• Healthcare professionals

Attendance is free, but registration is required and places are limited.

Participants will be asked to complete a short application form, and confirmation will be provided once registration has been reviewed.

Click here to apply for a place.

The post Become a voice for liver health: Join the Advanced Advocacy Academy UK appeared first on British Liver Trust.

To become a ‘trusted information creator’, we have had to undergo an assessment showing we met 10 key criteria.

This means you can be assured that what you are reading, watching or listening to is evidence-based, understandable, jargon-free, up-to-date and produced to the best possible standard.

The British Liver Trust’s Information and Awareness Officer, Joanne Taylor, said: “Gaining the PIF TICK shows we have a strong process for developing our health information resources. With so much information online it can be difficult to know what to trust. This quality mark is a quick and easy way for people to be assured our information is reliable and trustworthy.”

The PIF TICK, which launched in May 2020 is run by the non-profit Patient Information Forum (PIF).

In July 2021, a public website, www.piftick.org.uk, was launched to raise awareness of PIF TICK accredited members and help people find trusted health information.

The site also includes guides on topics including spotting false health information and understanding evidence.

PIF TICK manager Dan Wills said: “We are thrilled to welcome British Liver Trust to our ever-growing community of accredited PIF TICK members. Accurate, accessible, evidence-based information is key to increasing patient empowerment and improving health outcomes.”

The post British Liver Trust gains PIF TICK accreditation to become a ‘trusted information creator’ appeared first on British Liver Trust.

Here, he explains the concept of ‘Social Legacy’ and the positive, measurable and impactful change you are able and willing to help create for the individuals, communities and charitable causes and organisations close to your heart.

“What does ‘Social Legacy’ mean to you and are you currently as engaged with your own as you would like to be? You may not have heard this term before, but a Social Legacy is a fundamental component of the Legacy you are creating every day and will one day leave behind. 

A Social Legacy is the lasting positive impact, values, practices, and relationships you leave behind for future generations. It can be based on your attitudes and approaches to the causes you support, capturing your desire to help others and make a positive difference. A Social Legacy not only consists of the donations you have made to charity, but also the other ways you have supported causes in which you believe, like sharing your story, fundraising, or volunteering. It can reflect the things you have done, or your plans for the future – like leaving a gift in your will.  

While we often feel reluctant to consider or identify ourselves as particularly ‘wealthy’, wealth is more than a monetary amount. True wealth consists of both our emotional as well as our financial wealth, encompassing the lessons we have learnt, the successes we have enjoyed and the experiences we have shared throughout our life. It is for this same reason that when we come to identify our ‘assets’, we are often surprised at how ‘wealthy’ we realise we are. 

Your passions, values, and beliefs will fundamentally drive your Social Legacy. For many, the personal connection driving your Social Legacy is a family member or a friend who has been affected by a particular health related issue, or the support you have received yourself. Your Social Legacy should absolutely reflect what is important to you and can be linked to a charity close to your heart. 

Here at Hereditas, we are proud to be supporting the British Liver Trust, to promote and develop our mutual understanding of Social Legacy and the immeasurable benefit that Legacy Planning brings to our charitable giving journey. Together, we believe that Legacy Planning is about learning from the past, living in the present, and building for the future. 

Everyone is entitled to leave a meaningful and lasting legacy, regardless of the amount of their financial wealth, and our vision is a world where Legacy Planning is not a luxury but the norm. Hereditas believe that ultimately, our strength lies in what we give and not what we take and that a true legacy isn’t what we leave behind, but what we set in motion. 

We will all leave behind a legacy of some kind, whether we intend to or not and by engaging actively and thoughtfully in the creation and development of our Social Legacy, we can make our legacy both meaningful and lasting for generations to come.” 

Hereditas have a new Legacy Planning Questionnaire, which is located on their website. It only takes 5-10 minutes to complete following which you will receive a detailed and personalised report based on your response and at no cost, highlighting exactly where you are in your Legacy Planning journey. 

If you would like to find out more about ways you can support the British Liver Trust, and create your own legacy, you can find information here. 

You can find out more about leaving a gift in your will here.

To find out more about Hereditas and to complete the questionnaire please visit www.hereditas.co.uk 

This blog has been provided by Andrew Dodson and reflects his personal views. 

The British Liver Trust recommends you seek professional advice when making or updating your will. 

The post What does ‘Social Legacy’ mean to you? appeared first on British Liver Trust.

In its first year, the APPG secured a high-profile parliamentary debate on fatty liver disease, calling for greater NHS preparedness ahead of the anticipated first wave of new medications. The debate marked a significant step forward in raising political awareness of this growing public health challenge.

Co-Chairs Dr Beccy Cooper MP and Lorraine Beavers MP also visited liver units at the Royal Free Hospital and Worthing Hospital, where they heard directly from patients and NHS staff about the transformative work taking place on the frontline of liver care. The APPG’s influence was further strengthened through a series of op-eds authored by the Co-Chairs in key policy publications, helping to raise awareness of critical issues in liver health among decision-makers.

In January 2025, the group hosted a highly successful Love Your Liver scanning day in Parliament, putting early detection of liver disease at the forefront of the Government’s agenda and engaging MPs and peers directly in understanding their own liver health.

Pamela Healy OBE, Chief Executive of the British Liver Trust, who attended the meeting, also reflected on the APPG’s progress:

“We have had a truly impactful first year – from securing the first-ever parliamentary debate on fatty liver disease to visiting liver units at Worthing Hospital and the Royal Free Hospital. Critically, in September the NHSE Liver Transformation Programme started its work, which represents a generational opportunity to reshape liver health.”

The meeting re-elected the APPG’s leadership, with Dr Beccy Cooper MP and Lorraine Beavers MP continuing as Co-Chairs, and Peter Bedford MP and Robin Swann MP serving as Officers.

Looking ahead, the APPG agreed five key priorities for the coming year:

1. Making liver disease and liver cancer a priority as national health plans are implemented.
2. Improving access to new treatments and ensuring equitable access to clinical trials.
3. Promoting early detection through clear local pathways and wider use of non-invasive liver checks.
4. Protecting the Liver Transformation Programme as NHS England evolves.
5. Campaigning for a comprehensive national alcohol strategy to reduce alcohol-related harm, including looking at preventative measures such as MUP.

With strong parliamentary leadership and growing policy momentum, the APPG is well placed to build on its first year of success and continue driving progress for people affected by liver disease and liver cancer.

The post The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Liver Disease and Liver Cancer sets ambitious agenda for the year ahead appeared first on British Liver Trust.

“Back in 2022, I became really unwell,” says Stephanie, 38, who lives in Beith. “A virus caused my immune system to attack my liver. Doctors told me that my liver markers in my blood should be about 50 and mine were up over 3000! I was diagnosed with acute viral hepatitis and was being considered for a liver transplant. 

“Thankfully, this was not necessary because the treatment I received at Crosshouse Hospital in Kilmarnock worked, but this health scare really highlighted to me how important our livers are and how I wasn’t looking after myself.  

 “When I got out of hospital, I was straight onto the British Liver Trust website and did lots of research. Reading people’s stories and seeing how they used a health scare to turn their lives around was really inspirational to me. 

  “I decided to make some changes. I’ve cut down on processed food, have lost over two stone to get myself down to a healthy weight and am now a very active person, and I don’t drink alcohol at all. I have sadly been left with a few complications, but nothing that I will complain about because for the most part, I live an extremely normal and healthy life! 

  “I’m actually now grateful that it happened because I am now the healthiest version of myself. I’m a district manager for Slimming World and I try very hard to highlight as often as I can, that following a healthy diet of whole foods, unprocessed and being active, is the best way a human can look after their liver and in fact their whole body. 

“When I had my liver scanned two years ago, I was told it was a very healthy liver, which was music to my ears.   

 “I’ll do anything I can to support the British Liver Trust. Lots of people don’t really think about their liver health, and I used to be one of them. I didn’t realise how important it was, until mine wasn’t working!  

 “So I’m excited about doing the Supernova Kelpies, it looks like a beautiful event, and I’m also training for a 10K in September. Both events will help raise funds and awareness for the British Liver Trust which is something I’m passionate about.”  

  Dan Painter Public Fundraising Manager at British Liver Trust commented: “As a charity, we are leading the fight against liver disease and liver cancer. We reach over two million people each year; providing information and support to patients and families and providing vital advice to help people improve their liver health. But there is still so much to be done. Liver disease is the only major disease in the UK where death rates are rising, and we want to change that. We’re so grateful to Stephanie for taking on these runs for us and hope that the Supernova Kelpies proves a memorable experience!” 

 You can support Stephanie’s Supernova Kelpies run here   Stephanie Caira is fundraising for British Liver Trust 

The post Life-changing health scare prompts Stephanie to spread the word appeared first on British Liver Trust.

For people affected by liver cancer, that ambition matters — but only if it is delivered.

Liver cancer survival remains unacceptably low. Only 13% of patients survive five years, largely because too many people are diagnosed late and struggle to access specialist care and clinical trials. Every day, 17 people in the UK die from liver cancer, making it the fastest-rising cause of cancer death in the country.

The British Liver Trust welcomes the Plan’s clear focus on rare and less common cancers, earlier diagnosis, specialist MDT care, genomics, and tackling health inequalities. After years of slow progress for less survivable cancers, this represents a real opportunity for change. The Liver Cancer Health Check programme will also be expanded.

Pamela Healy, Chief Executive of the British Liver Trust, said:

“Liver cancer is the fastest rising cause of cancer death in the UK, and most people are diagnosed when is too late for effective treatment, and sadly only 13% survive for more than five years.  We are delighted that the Cancer Plan will address early diagnosis of rarer types of cancer and will introduce a personalised cancer plan.

“Liver cancer patients have really complex treatment needs, due to often having an underlying liver condition to manage alongside the cancer. This new personalised approach will ensure that people have supportive services delivered in a coordinated joined-up way, which is truly centred on the individual.”

Why this Plan matters for liver cancer

If delivered at pace, the Plan’s commitments could be transformational for liver cancer, including:

• Earlier diagnosis and faster treatment, with cancer waiting time standards restored by 2029
• Expanded diagnostic capacity, including Community Diagnostic Centres operating extended hours
• Greater access to specialist MDTs for rarer cancers
• Improved use of genomics to guide treatment and clinical trial access
• Targeted action on inequalities, where liver cancer outcomes are worst
• Personalised care package and integration with the NHS app.

This matters because liver cancer is often diagnosed too late. Symptoms are vague and easily missed, and around 40% of cases are diagnosed via emergency routes, when outcomes are poorest. Identifying and monitoring people at highest risk — particularly those with cirrhosis and advanced liver disease — must be a priority.

Inequalities cannot be ignored

Liver cancer is one of the starkest examples of health inequality in England. Men in the most deprived areas are twice as likely to develop liver cancer as those in the least deprived; women face rates 58% higher. The Plan’s £200 million Neighbourhood Early Diagnosis Fund is welcome — but liver cancer must be explicitly prioritised within this investment.

Rare cancers, research and innovation

We also welcome commitments to implement the Rare Cancers Bill, strengthen national leadership for rare and less common cancers, and accelerate research and innovation. For liver cancer, where the evidence base is limited and access to trials remains inconsistent, this focus is long overdue.

Our call to action

The ambition to reach 75% five-year cancer survival by 2035 is rightly described as a moonshot. For liver cancer, it will only be achieved through clear prioritisation, sustained funding and accountability.

The British Liver Trust stands ready to work with Government, the NHS and partners across the system to ensure this Plan delivers real, measurable change for everyone affected by liver cancer.

For liver cancer patients, this Plan must be more than hopeful words. It must be a turning point.

You can read the full plan here

The post The National Cancer Plan: Liver Cancer Patients Can’t Be Left Behind appeared first on British Liver Trust.

“I had always liked the idea of climbing Snowdon but wanted it to be attached to a good cause. So, when I saw that the British Liver Trust was organising a Snowdon hike, I jumped at the opportunity! I was born with chronic hepatitis B, and I liked the idea that I was doing this for myself and for anyone suffering from liver disease. 

“Although I enjoy walking, I had never taken on anything as extreme as Snowdon before. I trained by joining group hikes to Box Hill and just walking around National Trust parks to increase my walking endurance three weeks prior to the Snowdon hike.  

“As far as fundraising is concerned, because I have personal experience of liver disease, I shared my story on my fundraising page and was overwhelmed by the support I received – it was brilliant to beat my expected fundraising target! 

“When it came to the big day, I would say that the hike was tougher than I expected, mainly due to the weather conditions on that day. While it was nice and sunny in England, it was windy and raining in Wales which made the hike even more challenging. However, since this was for a good cause, we were all able to push through the unfavourable weather to reach the top. The group were a very friendly bunch, and the hiking guides were very careful to pace us, so we had ample time to rest and continue the hike until we reached the top.  

“I did have aching legs for about a week after the hike, but it was completely worth it! When you can achieve something on behalf of a cause it gives you a real sense of fulfilment that you have done something that goes beyond yourself. I would certainly encourage anyone who is thinking of doing something similar to go for it! It is an amazing and memorable experience, and you will meet so many lovely people along the way.  The hikes are very well organised, and you have absolutely nothing to worry about.” 

If you’d like to be part of an organised hike like Abdul, check out details of this summer’s Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge here  . 

The post So glad I took on Best Foot Forward! appeared first on British Liver Trust.

Over recent months, we have been working in collaboration with a range of health organisations, including the Patient Information Forum (PIF), Macmillan Cancer Support, and the British Heart Foundation to raise concerns about the growing use of AI-generated summaries in online search results and the risks these pose when health information is inaccurate, incomplete or misleading.

Together, we highlighted multiple examples of AI-generated overviews presenting information in ways that could confuse or falsely reassure people, especially in the context of medical tests. The issue was covered by The Guardian and hundreds of media outlets worldwide, bringing global attention to concerns raised by health organisations and reinforcing the urgent need for stronger safeguards around AI-produced medical information

In early 2025, we identified a particularly concerning issue when people searched online for information about liver blood tests.

As Pamela Healy, our Chief Executive at the British Liver Trust, explains:

“One of the most alarming examples we have seen was when you type ‘What is the normal range for liver blood tests’ into Google and it gives misleading information for liver function tests.

Many people with liver disease show no symptoms until the late stages, which is why it’s so important that they get tested. But what the Google AI overviews say is ‘normal’ can vary drastically from what is actually considered normal. It’s dangerous because it means some people with serious liver disease may think they have a normal result and then not bother to attend a follow-up healthcare meeting.”

We raised these concerns collectively, setting out how inaccuracies like this could delay diagnosis, discourage follow-up care and ultimately put lives at risk. This joint approach helped ensure the issue was recognised not as an isolated problem, but as a wider challenge affecting public health information more broadly.

As a result of this work, Google has now adjusted its AI-generated summaries relating to liver blood tests — a positive and welcome step that demonstrates how expert-led feedback can lead to meaningful change.

Pamela Healy added:

“This is excellent news, and we’re pleased to see improvements in the AI-generated summaries for liver blood tests. However, if the question is asked in a different way, a potentially misleading AI overview may still be given, and we remain concerned that other AI-produced health information can be inaccurate and confusing.

We strongly encourage people to rely on trusted, expert-verified sources such as the British Liver Trust or the NHS for reliable guidance.”

While these changes represent progress, this work highlights the ongoing need for scrutiny, collaboration and public education to ensure that people seeking health advice online can trust the information they find.

These concerns are reinforced by a recent survey of PIF members, which found that almost half (49%) had seen inaccuracies or misinformation about their topic area in AI overviews. More than six in ten health charities also reported a decline in traffic to their websites since the rollout of AI-generated health summaries, raising concerns that people may not be accessing original source information or receiving vital professional context and support when it is most needed.

The coalition is therefore calling on Google and other search engine providers to take immediate action to reduce potential harm, including:

• clear signposting to NHS-approved advice and support services

• prioritisation of verified UK-based sources, with links to further information

• clear disclaimers that AI-generated content cannot substitute for medical advice

References

1. The Google AI Search results & the Health Sector report was produced in May 2025 and is being made available to the public for the first time. 70 organisations from across the health sector fed into the report, including NHS organisations and UK charities. You can download it here.

The post British Liver Trust works with health organisations to improve AI health information appeared first on British Liver Trust.