Autoimmune Hepatitis Clinical Research Network

May 2023 Council

Lead Division/Office

DDN

Point(s) of Contact

Averell H. Sherker, M.D. FRCPC; Katrina Loh, M.D.

Executive Summary

Autoimmune hepatitis is a poorly understood form of liver disease that affects a wide range of individuals across the lifespan and a significant cause of end-stage liver disease, liver transplantation and death. Few advances have been made in the pathogenesis of this disease since it was first described in the mid-1950s, and little progress made in its management and treatment. The overall objective of this initiative is to establish cohorts of patients to conduct epidemiological-, clinical- and laboratory-based research focusing upon translation of molecular findings into clinical benefit to patients with these diseases through the creation of a clinical research network. The proposed clinical research network has the potential to contribute significantly to a part of clinical practice where progress has remained stagnant for decades by further investigating pathogenesis, treatment and perhaps prevention or cure for autoimmune hepatitis.