Diagnostics
LITMUS study finds multimarker panels may improve MASH detection
Single markers had variable and limited performance for detecting at-risk MASH, while multimarker panels showed potential.
The Lancet-published LITMUS study assessed blood tests and ultrasound-based liver stiffness measurements in more than 1,500 patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. Medical Xpress reported that researchers compared dozens of blood and imaging biomarkers with liver biopsy readings by expert pathologists.
The Lancet report said single markers had variable and limited performance against histology for detecting at-risk MASH, while multimarker panels showed potential. Medical Xpress reported that the proteomic panel SOMAScan showed strong performance, but said liver biopsy is likely to remain necessary for enrollment in late-stage MASH trials. Findings from the studies support a proposed pathway using gamma-GT for initial screening, then ELF or FibroScan for further assessment, with advanced imaging for specialist care, after further validation.
