Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver DiseaseMAIL-NITNCT06986447
Assessment of Non-Invasive Testing in Major Liver-Related Outcomes
An observational study of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease and MASLD, run by HRI-MAIL-NIT at 8 sites in United States.
Trial summary
This is a general clinical research protocol to study the clinical evaluation, investigation and long-term follow up of patients who have Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) and MetALD (MASLD and increased alcohol intake), and to assess the usefulness and accuracy of non-invasive testing… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 80 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease, MASLD, MASLD - Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease
- How many people
- 1,689 participants
- Where
- 8 sitesUnited States
- Study dates
- 25 Oct 2025to Jun 2029
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 80 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: Participants in this study will be recruited solely from the clinical practices of the participating sites.
Who may be able to join
- -
- Adults, 18-80, male or female.
- Cohort A (MASH): Evidence of MASH (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis) with fibrosis stage 3 or higher based on MRE stiffness of >3.63 kPa or liver biopsy.
- Cohort B (MetALD): Evidence of MetALD/ALD as defined by the AASLD nomenclature criteria and evidence of liver stiffness of 12 kPa or higher on VCTE.
- Willingness to participate in the study. Exclusion criteria
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- Involvement in the planning and/or conduct of the study (including sponsors, clinic staff, and vendors)
- Participation in another clinical study with intake of an investigational product during the last 60 days prior to Baseline
- Participation in a large multinational observational cohort (local registry and biobank are allowed) Target disease exclusions
- History of significant alcohol consumption for a period of more than 3 consecutive months within 1 year prior to baseline (For Cohort A only).
- MELD score ≥12, as determined at baseline, due to liver disease.
- Evidence of current, chronic liver diseases at the time of baseline:
- Primary biliary cholangitis b. Primary sclerosing cholangitis c. Chronic hepatitis B or D d. Hepatitis C, as defined by the presence of hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV) with detected circulating ribonucleic acid (RNA) within two years prior to Screening, or during Screening Period.
- HCV eradication by antiviral treatment less than three years prior to Screening.
- History or evidence of current active autoimmune hepatitis g. History or evidence of Wilson's disease h. History or evidence of alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency i. Evidence of genetic hemochromatosis (hereditary, primary) j. Evidence of drug-induced liver disease k. Known bile duct obstruction. l. Suspected or proven hepatocarcinoma, or metastatic tumor in the liver
- Evidence of hepatic impairment or decompensation within 3 months prior to baseline, as defined by any of the following parameters:
- History of ascites, or hepatic encephalopathy b. History of variceal bleeding c. Serum albumin < 3.5 g/dL, except as explained by non-hepatic causes. d. International Normalized Ratio (INR) ≥ 1.3, except for participants under anticoagulant treatment.
- o NOTE: INR may be repeated once to reassess eligibility e. Total bilirubin (TBL) ≥ 1.5 ULN
- o NOTE: Patients with Gilbert's Syndrome are eligible with a total bilirubin above 1.5 × ULN if reticulocyte count is within normal limits (typically 0.5% to 2.5%), hemoglobin is within normal limits (typically 13.5 to 17.5 g/dL for men or 12.0 to 15.5 g/dL for women), and direct bilirubin is <20% of total bilirubin f. Platelet count < 110,000/mm3
- Prior history of medium or large varices
- Bariatric surgery of any kind within 2 years prior to the baseline visit Medical History and Concurrent Disease Exclusions Cardiovascular diseases
- Any of the following diseases or procedures within 24 weeks prior to baseline:
- Myocardial infarction (MI)
- Cardiac revascularization surgery (coronary artery bypass graft / percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (CABG / PTCA))
- Unstable angina
- Transient ischemic attack, stroke or cerebrovascular disease Hematological and oncological diseases
- Active malignancy with a complete remission date within 2 years prior to the baseline visit (except for treated basal cell carcinoma or treated squamous cell carcinoma of the skin or resected carcinoma of the cervix) Other exclusion conditions
- Immunocompromised participants such as participants that underwent organ transplantation or are diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or participants with ongoing chemotherapy for stable malignant disease (such as a PD-1 inhibitor)
- Any other known serious disease (such as major infection, clinically significant gastrointestinal disorder, major autoimmune disease) or other disease which in the Investigator's opinion would exclude the participant from the study.
- Mental handicap, limited capacity of recognition, inability to follow the study procedures as evaluated by the Investigator, or any history of clinically important emotional and/or psychiatric illness.
- Use of non-permitted concomitant medication within 8 weeks prior to the initial baseline visit (A transient intake < 4 weeks may be allowed after approval of the Medical Monitor)
- Vitamin E >400 units per day. Participants on stable vitamin E therapy (same doses) for the last 12 weeks prior to baseline are eligible but the therapy should be maintained at stable dose throughout the study
- Pioglitazone >15 mg per day. Participants on stable pioglitazone therapy (same doses) for the last 12 weeks prior to baseline are eligible but the therapy should be maintained at stable dose throughout the study
- GLP1-RA, SGLT2-I unless on stable doses for the last 12 weeks prior to baseline
- Amiodarone within 12 months of enrollment
- Methotrexate within 12 months of enrollment
- Chronic use (> 2 consecutive weeks) of corticosteroids with a systemic effect at doses ≥ 5 mg/day of oral prednisone (or equivalent)
- Tamoxifen within 12 months of enrollment
- Estrogens at doses greater than those used for hormone replacement or contraception
- Anabolic steroids except testosterone replacement
- Valproic acid
- Any other medications known to affect liver function/steatosis at the Investigator's discretion (including vitamins, herbal and dietary supplements)
- Contraindications to MRI, including:
- Participants with incompatible pacemakers, metallic cardiac valves, magnetic material such as surgical clips, implanted electronic infusion pumps or other conditions that would preclude proximity to a strong magnetic field
- History of extreme claustrophobia
- The participant cannot fit inside the magnetic resonance scanner cavity
Who cannot join
- -
Trial locations and contacts
8 sites in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
8 sites in 1 country
United States8 sites
Arizona Liver Health
Chandler, Arizona, 85224
Houston Research Institute - Medical Center
Houston, Texas, 77030
Houston Research Institute - Dairy Ashford
Houston, Texas, 77079
Houston Research Institute - Pasadena
Pasadena, Texas, 77505
Arizona Liver Health
Peoria, Arizona, 85381
Houston Research Institute - Sugar Land
Sugar Land, Texas, 77478
Arizona Liver Health
Tucson, Arizona, 85712
CRIOH
Westlake, Ohio, 44145
About this study
Official title: MASH/MetALD Consortium for the Assessment of Non-Invasive Testing in Monitoring Interventions, Treatment Response, and Major Liver-Related Outcomes
This is a general clinical research protocol to study the clinical evaluation, investigation and long-term follow up of patients who have Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) and MetALD (MASLD and increased alcohol intake), and to assess the usefulness and accuracy of non-invasive testing such as MRI and Fibroscan in tracking the progression of disease. The protocol is designed to follow the natural history, pathogenesis, interventions, treatment response, comorbidities, major liver related outcomes, and major cardiac events in patients with MASLD and MetALD, especially those with significant and advanced fibrosis. Data will be collected to help further the understanding of non-invasive testing with the hopes of lessening the need for liver biopsies in phase 3 clinical trials of MASLD and in clinical practice. Additionally, the study will aim to define the natural history of MetALD, an area that is poorly understood.
- Conditions
- Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease, MASLD, MASLD - Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease, MASLD/MASH (Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease / Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis), MetALD
- Keywords
- MASLD, MetALD, Non-invasive testing
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| MASLD (Cohort A) | Patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease | |
| MetALD (Cohort B) | Patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and increased alcohol intake |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Occurrence of major adverse liver outcomes (MALO)
Variceal bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy, ascites, progression from MELD 13 to 15, liver transplant, death attributable to liver disease, progression to large varices
Measured: 2 years
Secondary outcomes (1)
Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE)
Fatal or non-fatal MI, fatal or non-fatal stroke, death attributable to cardiovascular disease
Measured: 2 years
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted23 May 2025
- Study start25 Oct 2025
- Primary completionFeb 2029 (estimated)
- Study completionJun 2029 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver DiseaseStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 1,689 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- HRI-MAIL-NIT
- Sponsor type
- Industry (pharma, biotech, devices)
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Mazen Noureddin, MD, MHSc, Principal investigator, Houston Research Institute
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06986447
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- MAIL-NIT
- Acronym
- MAIL-NIT
- Status last verified
- Mar 2026
- First submitted
- 15 May 2025
- Last updated
- 27 Mar 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 27 Mar 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- MASH/MetALD Consortium for the Assessment of Non-Invasive Testing in Monitoring Interventions, Treatment Response, and Major Liver-Related Outcomes
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06986447
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- MAIL-NIT / MAIL-NIT
- Conditions
- Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease, MASLD, MASLD - Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease, MASLD/MASH (Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease / Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis), MetALD
- Keywords
- MASLD, MetALD, Non-invasive testing
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Enrolling by invitation
- Enrolment
- 1,689 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- HRI-MAIL-NITIndustry (pharma, biotech, devices)
- Study start
- 25 Oct 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Feb 2029 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Jun 2029 (estimated)
- First posted
- 23 May 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This is a general clinical research protocol to study the clinical evaluation, investigation and long-term follow up of patients who have Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) and MetALD (MASLD and increased alcohol intake), and to assess the usefulness and accuracy of non-invasive testing such as MRI and Fibroscan in tracking the progression of disease. The protocol is designed to follow the natural history, pathogenesis, interventions, treatment response, comorbidities, major liver related outcomes, and major cardiac events in patients with MASLD and MetALD, especially those with significant and advanced fibrosis. Data will be collected to help further the understanding of non-invasive testing with the hopes of lessening the need for liver biopsies in phase 3 clinical trials of MASLD and in clinical practice. Additionally, the study will aim to define the natural history of MetALD, an area that is poorly understood.
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| MASLD (Cohort A) | – | –Patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease |
| MetALD (Cohort B) | – | –Patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and increased alcohol intake |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 80 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- Participants in this study will be recruited solely from the clinical practices of the participating sites.
Key inclusion criteria (46 listed)
- -
- Adults, 18-80, male or female.
- Cohort A (MASH): Evidence of MASH (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis) with fibrosis stage 3 or higher based on MRE stiffness of >3.63 kPa or liver biopsy.
- Cohort B (MetALD): Evidence of MetALD/ALD as defined by the AASLD nomenclature criteria and evidence of liver stiffness of 12 kPa or higher on VCTE.
- Willingness to participate in the study. Exclusion criteria
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- -
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Primary outcome
Occurrence of major adverse liver outcomes (MALO)
Time frame: 2 years
Variceal bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy, ascites, progression from MELD 13 to 15, liver transplant, death attributable to liver disease, progression to large varices
1 secondary outcome
Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE)
Time frame: 2 years
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 27 Mar 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Mazen Noureddin, MD, MHSc principal investigator
Houston Research Institute
8 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease and MASLD, run by HRI-MAIL-NIT at 8 sites in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 46 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: enrolling by invitation, as of the sponsor's last update on 27 Mar 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 8 sites in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Occurrence of major adverse liver outcomes (MALO) (time frame: 2 years). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 27 Mar 2026.