CirrhosisNCT07249112
DEFINITION OF THE GENOMIC LANDSCAPE OF MASLD
A study testing genetic and somatic variants involved in its progression toward advanced fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in people with Cirrhosis and MASLD, run by Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico at 1 site in Italy.
Trial summary
The Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) is a leading cause of chronic liver disease globally, with a prevalence exceeding 30% in the population. MASLD is strictly associated with insulin resistance and cardiometabolic conditions, and in 20-30% of cases, it can progress to steatohepatitis… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 90 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- What is being tested?
- genetic and somatic variants involved in its progression toward advanced fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 2,880 participants
- Where
- 1 siteItaly
- Study dates
- 1 Sep 2025to 31 Aug 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
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 90 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Specific Inclusion Criteria for Patients with Advanced MASLD:
- Patients with advanced MASLD defined as liver fibrosis ≥2 and/or the development of HCC (Hepatocellular Carcinoma);
- Patients enrolled in the context of the SERENA study and, where applicable, also in the context of the REASON study;
- Liver biopsy for suspected Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) at the time of diagnosis;
- Cholecystectomies;
- Age [40-70 years];
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- Patients who have signed the informed consent form.
- Specific Inclusion Criteria for the Control Group:
- Blood donors participating in the Liver Bible study aged between 40 and 70 years who are overweight or obese and have at least two of the following risk factors:
- Impaired fasting glucose or Diabetes Mellitus
- Dyslipidemia
- Arterial hypertension.
Who cannot join
- Specific exclusion Criteria for Patients with Advanced MASLD:
- Positivity for chronic viral hepatitis (HCV-RNA and/or HBsAg);
- Positivity for other liver diseases such as autoimmune and viral hepatitis (Hepatitis B and C), hereditary hemochromatosis, alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, or Wilson's disease.
- Specific Exclusion Criteria for the Control Group:
- Subjects with chronic degenerative diseases will be excluded, with the exception of well-controlled hypertension and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus that does not require pharmacological therapy (as is already standard practice for blood donation eligibility). Also excluded are donors aged > 65 and < 40 years.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Italy1 site
Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico - Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico di natura pubblica
Milan, Milano, 20122
About this study
Official title: DEFINIZIONE DEL PANORAMA GENOMICO DELLA MASLD (DEFINING THE GENOMIC LANDSCAPE OF METABOLIC STEATOTIC LIVER DISEASE)
The Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) is a leading cause of chronic liver disease globally, with a prevalence exceeding 30% in the population. MASLD is strictly associated with insulin resistance and cardiometabolic conditions, and in 20-30% of cases, it can progress to steatohepatitis (MASH), which is characterized by progressive liver damage and inflammation. In patients at higher risk, the disease can lead to the onset of advanced fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). One of the main problems in the clinical management of MASLD is the absence of specific risk biomarkers and the lack of effective treatments, especially for patients with advanced-stage disease.
MASLD has a well-documented and enormous genetic component, with studies having identified several common variants associated with this pathology, such as those in the PNPLA3, TM6SF2, and MBOAT7 genes. However, these variants identified so far only explain a small part of MASLD's heritability, suggesting the contribution of rare loss-of-function (LoF) variants as well. Furthermore, scientific evidence indicates that the accumulation of somatic variants, both in hepatocytes and myeloid cells, could also play a key role in MASLD progression. In particular, clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP), which is a condition characterized by the presence of hematopoietic clones with somatic mutations often associated with leukemia and cardiovascular diseases, might favor the onset of hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the evidence available to date is still limited and requires further investigation and studies on larger cohorts.
Read more
The current study therefore aims to deepen this aspect through the analysis of the genetic profile using a Whole-Genome Sequencing (WGS) approach. DNA samples from peripheral blood from patients with advanced MASLD and peripheral blood DNA samples from controls presenting various associated metabolic risk factors will be sequenced.
In addition, 80 liver tissue samples from patients with advanced MASLD will also be sequenced to identify specific somatic mutations. The expected results from this study include the identification of new genetic variants associated with MASLD progression, the improvement of risk stratification through the development of polygenic risk scores, and the identification of potential therapeutic targets. This study represents a fundamental step for understanding the biology of MASLD and could have important clinical implications for disease management.
- Being tested
- genetic and somatic variants involved in its progression toward advanced fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma
- Medical subject headings
- Fibrosis
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
genetic and somatic variants involved in its progression toward advanced fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinomaOther
The focusing is the attention on the genetic and somatic variants involved in its progression toward advanced fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Through Whole-Genome Sequencing WGS of 800 patients with advanced MASLD, 80 liver tissue samples, and 2000 controls, the study aims to:
- Identify rare and structural genetic variants associated with the disease
- Analyze the role of clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential CHIP in MASLD progression.
- Develop polygenic risk scores to improve risk stratification.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced MASLD Patients and Metabolic Controls | Experimental | This study aims to identify inherited genetic variants and somatic mutations associated with the progression of advanced Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease MASLD.The research utilizes two distinct and extensively characterized cohorts for Whole-Genome Sequencing WGS analysis:
* MASLD Cohort: Consists of 800 patients whose peripheral blood will undergo WGS at 20x coverage.
* Metabolic Controls} Cohort: Comprises 2000 individuals matched for sex and metabolic risk factors who meet at least two criteria for metabolic syndrome but are free of MASLD. Their peripheral blood DNA will also be sequenced. Receives: Other: genetic and somatic variants involved in its progression toward advanced fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Identifying Genetic Risk for Advanced MASLD
The study's outcome measures are defined by two distinct, primary endpoints. The first is the Number of Genetic Variants Associated with Advanced MASLD, reported as the total count of genetic variants (germline and/o somatic) exhibiting a statistically significant association with the risk of developing advanced Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), defined as fibrosis ≥ 2 and/or hepatocellular carcinoma. The unit of measure for this outcome is Count (Number of variants). The second measure is the Odds Ratio (OR) for Association Between Germline Variants and Advanced MASLD, calculated by comparing the presence of specific germline variants in cases versus controls to determine the strength of their association with advanced MASLD.
Measured: 11 months
Secondary outcomes (1)
Mechanisms, Risk Stratification, and Therapy
This study aims to identify inherited genetic variants and somatic mutations associated with the progression of Advanced Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease MASLD), utilizing two distinct and extensively characterized cohorts for Whole-Genome Sequencing (WGS) analysis:
- MASLD Cohort: Peripheral blood will undergo WGS text. A subset of 80 pathological liver tissue samples from 35 patients HCC/advanced fibrosis) will be sequenced at to identify somatic mutations.
- Metabolic Controls Cohort: Individuals with metabolic risk factors but lacking advanced MASLD; peripheral blood will be sequenced (WGS 20x). This cohort is deeply characterized, including OMICs data.
The study's goals are to:
- Identify genetic factors contributing to MASLD and HCC risk.
- Develop polygenic risk scores (PRS) for better risk stratification.
- Identify potential therapeutic targets for precision medicine in advanced MASLD.
Measured: 11 months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted25 Nov 2025
- Study start1 Sep 2025
- Primary completion31 Jul 2026
- Study completion31 Aug 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for CirrhosisStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore PoliclinicoThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- 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
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 2,880 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Luca Valenti:, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07249112
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- DETECTIVE
- Status last verified
- Nov 2025
- First submitted
- 17 Nov 2025
- Last updated
- 4 Nov 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 4 Nov 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- DEFINIZIONE DEL PANORAMA GENOMICO DELLA MASLD (DEFINING THE GENOMIC LANDSCAPE OF METABOLIC STEATOTIC LIVER DISEASE)
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07249112
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- DETECTIVE
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 2,880 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore PoliclinicoUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Sep 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Jul 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 31 Aug 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 25 Nov 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.
The Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) is a leading cause of chronic liver disease globally, with a prevalence exceeding 30% in the population. MASLD is strictly associated with insulin resistance and cardiometabolic conditions, and in 20-30% of cases, it can progress to steatohepatitis (MASH), which is characterized by progressive liver damage and inflammation. In patients at higher risk, the disease can lead to the onset of advanced fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). One of the main problems in the clinical management of MASLD is the absence of specific risk biomarkers and the lack of effective treatments, especially for patients with advanced-stage disease.
MASLD has a well-documented and enormous genetic component, with studies having identified several common variants associated with this pathology, such as those in the PNPLA3, TM6SF2, and MBOAT7 genes. However, these variants identified so far only explain a small part of MASLD's heritability, suggesting the contribution of rare loss-of-function (LoF) variants as well. Furthermore, scientific evidence indicates that the accumulation of somatic variants, both in hepatocytes and myeloid cells, could also play a key role in MASLD progression. In particular, clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP), which is a condition characterized by the presence of hematopoietic clones with somatic mutations often associated with leukemia and cardiovascular diseases, might favor the onset of hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the evidence available to date is still limited and requires further investigation and studies on larger cohorts.
The current study therefore aims to deepen this aspect through the analysis of the genetic profile using a Whole-Genome Sequencing (WGS) approach. DNA samples from peripheral blood from patients with advanced MASLD and peripheral blood DNA samples from controls presenting various associated metabolic risk factors will be sequenced.
In addition, 80 liver tissue samples from patients with advanced MASLD will also be sequenced to identify specific somatic mutations. The expected results from this study include the identification of new genetic variants associated with MASLD progression, the improvement of risk stratification through the development of polygenic risk scores, and the identification of potential therapeutic targets. This study represents a fundamental step for understanding the biology of MASLD and could have important clinical implications for disease management.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced MASLD Patients and Metabolic Controls | Experimental | Other: genetic and somatic variants involved in its progression toward advanced fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinomaThis study aims to identify inherited genetic variants and somatic mutations associated with the progression of advanced Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease MASLD.The research utilizes two distinct and extensively characterized cohorts for Whole-Genome Sequencing WGS analysis: * MASLD Cohort: Consists of 800 patients whose peripheral blood will undergo WGS at 20x coverage. * Metabolic Controls} Cohort: Comprises 2000 individuals matched for sex and metabolic risk factors who meet at least two criteria for metabolic syndrome but are free of MASLD. Their peripheral blood DNA will also be sequenced. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 90 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (12 listed)
- Patients with advanced MASLD defined as liver fibrosis ≥2 and/or the development of HCC (Hepatocellular Carcinoma);
- Patients enrolled in the context of the SERENA study and, where applicable, also in the context of the REASON study;
- Liver biopsy for suspected Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) at the time of diagnosis;
- Cholecystectomies;
- Age [40-70 years];
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Positivity for chronic viral hepatitis (HCV-RNA and/or HBsAg);
- Positivity for other liver diseases such as autoimmune and viral hepatitis (Hepatitis B and C), hereditary hemochromatosis, alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, or Wilson's disease.
- Subjects with chronic degenerative diseases will be excluded, with the exception of well-controlled hypertension and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus that does not require pharmacological therapy (as is already standard practice for blood donation eligibility). Also excluded are donors aged > 65 and < 40 years.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| genetic and somatic variants involved in its progression toward advanced fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinomaThe focusing is the attention on the genetic and somatic variants involved in its progression toward advanced fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Through Whole-Genome Sequencing WGS of 800 patients with advanced MASLD, 80 liver tissue samples, and 2000 controls, the study aims to: * Identify rare and structural genetic variants associated with the disease * Analyze the role of clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential CHIP in MASLD progression. * Develop polygenic risk scores to improve risk stratification. | Other | Advanced MASLD Patients and Metabolic Controls |
Primary outcome
Identifying Genetic Risk for Advanced MASLD
Time frame: 11 months
The study's outcome measures are defined by two distinct, primary endpoints. The first is the Number of Genetic Variants Associated with Advanced MASLD, reported as the total count of genetic variants (germline and/o somatic) exhibiting a statistically significant association with the risk of developing advanced Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), defined as fibrosis ≥ 2 and/or hepatocellular carcinoma. The unit of measure for this outcome is Count (Number of variants). The second measure is the Odds Ratio (OR) for Association Between Germline Variants and Advanced MASLD, calculated by comparing the presence of specific germline variants in cases versus controls to determine the strength of their association with advanced MASLD.
1 secondary outcome
Mechanisms, Risk Stratification, and Therapy
Time frame: 11 months
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 4 Nov 2026.
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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. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing genetic and somatic variants involved in its progression toward advanced fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in people with Cirrhosis and MASLD, run by Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico at 1 site in Italy.
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 12 inclusion and 5 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: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 4 Nov 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Italy. 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?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
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?
Identifying Genetic Risk for Advanced MASLD (time frame: 11 months). 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 4 Nov 2026.