Advancing the Science and Care of Liver Disease: Highlights from the 6th Annual Liver Connect Meeting

The 6th Annual Liver Connect Meeting of the Chronic Liver Disease Foundation was held from February 26–28, 2026, at the Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center in beautiful San Diego, California. The meeting brought together more than 500 in-person attendees, along with a substantial number of virtual participants from across the country and internationally. The scientific program covered the full spectrum of chronic liver diseases, including metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), metabolic dysfunction–associated alcohol-related liver disease (MetALD), alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD), cholestatic liver diseases, viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, and pediatric hepatology. Sessions were designed to address both cutting-edge scientific advances and their practical application in clinical practice. Lectures were complemented by highly interactive discussions that engaged participants in thoughtful dialogue around emerging data, evolving therapeutic strategies, and implementation challenges. The meeting also provided valuable opportunities for collaboration and networking among attendees, distinguished faculty, and industry partners, further strengthening the shared commitment to advancing care for patients with chronic liver disease.

Performance of Non-Invasive Fibrosis Tests (NITs) in MASLD Varies by Age, Diabetes, and Obesity: Results from the Global MASLD (G-MASLD) Project from the Global NASH/MASH Council (GNC)

The G-MASLD project with 18,759 biopsy-confirmed MASLD patients from 41 countries has been carried out by members of GNC. The project continues to provide critical data about MASLD/MASH and NITs from real world practices. In this analysis of G-MASLD data, the diagnostic accuracy and performance of NITs were influenced by patient characteristics. FIB-4 performance declined with younger and older age as well as presence of type 2 diabetes, while liver stiffness measurement was mainly affected by obesity. Imaging-based and clinical composite tests, especially Agile-3+ and Agile-4 showed more stable performance across subgroups.

The Global NASH/MASH Council (GNC) at Qatar Health Congress 2026 (January 29–31, 2026)

The Global NASH/MASH Council (GNC) was pleased to collaborate with Qatar Health Congress 2026 to address key topics in MASLD and MASH. The Congress was co-organized under the leadership of Professor Abdel-Naser Elzouki, Chair of the Scientific Committee and a member of the GNC, by the Department of Medicine at Hamad Medical Corporation, in collaboration with the American College of Physicians, Mayo Clinic, and the Royal Colleges of Physicians (Edinburgh, Glasgow, and London), as well as the Global NASH/MASH Council (GNC). The Congress was attended by approximately 2000 participants from Qatar, the Gulf, and across the MENA region and covered a broad range of topics in internal medicine. In collaboration with Qatar Health Congress 2026 and the Steatotic Liver Disease Research Foundation in the MENA region (SLMENA), the GNC organized a dedicated scientific session entitled “From MASLD to MASH: Advances in Diagnosis and Management.” This symposium was highly interactive and featured presentations on MASH delivered by GNC members from the region. In addition, Zobair Younossi delivered a state-of-the-art lecture entitled “The Growing Burden of MASLD and Its Management in 2026: Challenges, Innovations, and Future Directions.” The GNC is delighted to support this very important region of the world in all our activities.

Highlights from Paris International Liver Meeting 2026

The first Paris International Liver Meeting (PILM 2026) was a highly successful three-day scientific conference held from January 19–21, 2026. The meeting featured outstanding scientific sessions covering key areas including MASLD, MetALD, alcohol-associated liver disease, viral hepatitis, hepatocellular carcinoma, cholestatic liver diseases, and complications of cirrhosis. To watch the highlights from the meeting, please click the link below: