The George Best Appeal for Funds to Support Research into Liver Disease.
The Appeal is being set up to obtain an initial sum of £500,000 to fund a dedicated laboratory named after George Best, within the Institute of Hepatology, University College London, along with associated equipment and consumables, a lead scientist and appropriate technical assistance. A three year period of study is planned in the first instance and any sums raised over and above the amount of the Appeal will enable a longer term programme. Parallel with the laboratory work, clinical trials on the efficacy of the monoclonal antibody blocking agents in improving the rate of recovery will be initiated. The results of such treatment on blood composition and on the function of other organs affected by liver failure will also be subject to detailed investigations.
Professor Roger Williams writes:
"Liver damage frequently occurs without the person being aware. In some instances the damage can have developed to the stage of severe liver failure before first illness and presentation of the patient. It is known that the causes of this liver damage relate to a series of events following on toxic injury to the liver cells from alcohol. Various intermediary substances known as cytokines interact and release yet further damaging factors within the liver. This cascade of events can become self-perpetuating, even when exposure to alcohol has ceased. The patient may have stopped drinking yet liver damage can progress, leading to further serious illness and even resulting in death. Although improvement can occur at this stage it is invariably slow. However, recent research into these intermediary substances and consequent cell damage has shown that it is possible to block certain of the key processes involved by specific drugs known as monoclonal antibodies, some of which have been developed for clinical trials in other disorders.
The purpose of the proposed research will be to gain a better understanding of the processes involved in liver damage from alcohol and their influence on the progression of the liver injury and in particular how self-perpetuating processes can be halted once initiated."
Professor Roger Williams writes:
"Liver damage frequently occurs without the person being aware. In some instances the damage can have developed to the stage of severe liver failure before first illness and presentation of the patient. It is known that the causes of this liver damage relate to a series of events following on toxic injury to the liver cells from alcohol. Various intermediary substances known as cytokines interact and release yet further damaging factors within the liver. This cascade of events can become self-perpetuating, even when exposure to alcohol has ceased. The patient may have stopped drinking yet liver damage can progress, leading to further serious illness and even resulting in death. Although improvement can occur at this stage it is invariably slow. However, recent research into these intermediary substances and consequent cell damage has shown that it is possible to block certain of the key processes involved by specific drugs known as monoclonal antibodies, some of which have been developed for clinical trials in other disorders.
The purpose of the proposed research will be to gain a better understanding of the processes involved in liver damage from alcohol and their influence on the progression of the liver injury and in particular how self-perpetuating processes can be halted once initiated."