Liver cirrhosis is the end stage of chronic liver damage — from hepatitis, alcohol, or fatty liver disease — where scar tissue replaces healthy cells and the liver gradually loses function. It affects millions worldwide and is a major driver of liver cancer, liver failure requiring transplant, and cirrhosis-related complications like fluid accumulation and internal bleeding.
What's actually going on in research
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is now a major cause of cirrhosis, and several anti-fibrotic drugs targeting TGF-beta, galectin-3, and other fibrosis pathways are in trials specifically for this population. TIPS (transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt) procedures and pharmacological approaches to portal hypertension are being refined for complications like recurrent ascites. Antiviral treatment of hepatitis B and C can halt and in some cases partially reverse early cirrhosis, and trials are studying whether antiviral therapy benefits patients at later stages.
Anti-fibrotic drugs
Several drugs targeting the pathways that lay down scar tissue in the liver — including TGF-beta inhibitors and galectin-3 blockers — are in mid-stage trials for cirrhosis reversal.
Portal hypertension management
Drugs including non-selective beta-blockers, terlipressin, and new vasoactive agents are being compared for preventing and treating the complications of elevated pressure in the liver's blood vessels.
NASH-cirrhosis treatment
Resmetirom and other NASH drugs have shown fibrosis reduction in early cirrhosis, and trials are now enrolling compensated cirrhosis patients to see if structural benefit is achievable.
What to know before you search
Eligibility depends on cirrhosis etiology, Child-Pugh or MELD score, presence of complications, and whether the patient is listed for transplant.
What types of trials are currently open
- Drug trials — Testing anti-fibrotic, anti-inflammatory, or metabolic drugs to halt or reverse cirrhosis progression.
- Complication trials — Testing treatments for ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, variceal bleeding, and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.
- Transplant trials — Evaluating organ preservation, immunosuppression, and post-transplant outcomes.
- NASH cirrhosis trials — Testing lipid, glucose, and fibrosis-targeting drugs specifically in NASH-related early cirrhosis.
- Surveillance trials — Comparing HCC screening strategies in cirrhotic populations.
Recently added Liver Cirrhosis trials
Nutrition and Exercise Prehabilitation in Patients Awaiting Liver Transplantation
This study aims to evaluate the effects of a diet with even protein distribution plus exercise (Group A) versus a diet with skewed protein distribution plus exercise (Group B) versus standard dietary and physical activity advice (Group C) on nutritional status, body composition and functional status in patients awaiting liver transplantation.
Apixaban-PK Trial: Preventing Portal Hypertension Complications in Cirrhosis
The APIXABAN-PK trial is a prospective, randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled study designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of apixaban in combination with carvedilol versus placebo with carvedilol in preventing portal hypertension-related complications in patients with cirrhosis. Conducted at the Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department and Clinical Trials Unit (CTU) of Asian Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS) Hospital, Hyderabad, Pakistan, the trial will enroll eligible cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension. Participants will be followed for 12 months to monitor hepatic decompensation events, variceal bleeding, portal vein thrombosis, and mortality, while safety and tolerability of apixaban will be closely assessed. This study aims to provide local evidence for apixaban use in cirrhosis management in Pakistan.
Find Liver Cirrhosis trials matched specifically to you
Answer 3 quick questions and we'll show you trials that fit your situation.