The purpose of this study is to find out about the safety and effectiveness of an investigation drug called Semaglutide for the treatment of NASH. (Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis). NASH occurs when the fat buildup in the liver leads to inflammation (hepatitis) and scarring. NASH is associated with increased risk of morbidity (medical problem or complication) and mortality (death). Currently, treatment options are few and insufficient. There is therefore an unmet medical need for effective and safe pharmacological treatment options. The study is designed to last 257 weeks (approximately 4 years and 11 months), with study visits occurring approximately every 4 weeks. Most visits will include blood work and some will include assessments such as body weight and vital signs. Most visits will include reviewing of diary entries during the course of the study. This study also includes weekly injections of semaglutide (or placebo). Semaglutide is a self-administered injection that is given under the skin. Semaglutide has built an extensive amount of data with other trials that have focused on weight management and Type 2 diabetes. Semaglutide is FDA-approved for diabetes treatment, but is investigational for this study. In these previous trials, semaglutide was found to be safe and well-tolerated. This study is randomized, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled. This means that you may receive the study drug or a placebo. Neither the study subject or the study team members will know which each subject will be receiving. Study subjects will be randomized 2:1. This means that subjects will have a greater chance (66%) of receiving the drug versus the placebo.
This is a two armed multicenter cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT), to assess the effectiveness of two pragmatic PC models for patients with ESLD (Consultative PC vs. Trained hepatologist led PC). To prevent bias at the level of providers, randomization will take place at the level of clinical centers; however patients will be the unit of inference. Parallel to this cluster-RCT, a qualitative study will be undertaken to evaluate the patient/caregiver experiences in the two PC models, using semi structured interviews.
To execute this project, Duke has identified 19 clinical centers to participate; 8 Veterans Health Administration (VHA) systems and 11 non-VHA, Academic Medical Centers.
Comparative Approaches:
1.Consultative PC led approach (Model 1): The PC model will include: 1) routine PC consults, using a standardized checklist , 2) in-person visits at initial, 1 and 3 months.
2.Trained hepatologist led PC (Model 2): The Hepatologist Led PC model will comprise: 1) Hepatologist training (through E Learning modules), and 2) in person visits utilizing the same PC checklist as utilized in Model 1. The in-person visits will occur at initial, 1 and 3 months i.e. similar to Model 1 and follow the same visit specified agenda.
MUSC has been assigned to the Model 2 approach, "Hepatologist led Palliative Care" to be lead by Dr. Don Rockey and Dr. Heather Simpson.
Adult patients 18 years of age or older will be enrolled. With 14 clinical centers in different geographic locations and diversity in race/ ethnicity, 1260 patient/ caregiver dyads will be enrolled.
This an observational study that aims to assess the outcome of patients with advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis recurrence in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection after HCV eradication. We aim to describe this unique group of patients as well as determine whether any particular variables are significant predictors of fibrosis/cirrhosis resolution. A multivariate analysis will be conducted to determine risk factors independently related to fibrosis/cirrhosis resolution and clinical outcome.
The study will compare two durations of treatment with Octreotide in patients with confirmed esophageal variceal hemorrhage who have undergone successful endoscopy and possible endoscopic therapy for control of bleeding. All procedures including the treatment are the standard of care. Octreotide infusion and endoscopic therapy for esophageal variceal bleeding are not investigational.