Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH): Asia Pacific Clinical Trial Landscape

NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) is the most common chronic liver disease in the world, affecting 25% of adults. The condition is heterogeneous and complicated, with a wide range of clinical symptoms that can be influenced by hereditary and environmental factors. NAFLD, defined by the presence of fat build-up (steatosis) in >5% of hepatocytes is divided into two types based on histologic findings: non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Both NAFL and NASH cause hepatic steatosis, but NASH is distinguished by inflammation and hepatocyte damage (ballooning) with or without fibrosis, which raises the risk of cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and end-stage liver disease. It is therefore a cause of higher morbidity and mortality. Up to 20% of cases of NASH may progress to cirrhosis. [1,2]