The AlcHepNet consortium succeeded the DASH (Defeat Alcoholic Steatohepatitis) consortium and added new centers. There are eight clinical centers conducting a randomized clinical trial and additional translational research centers.  In addition to University of Louisville, the participating centers include:  Cleveland Clinic, Indiana University, Mayo Clinic, University of California San Diego, University of Massachusetts, University of Pittsburgh, University of Texas Southwestern, Virginia Commonwealth University and Yale University. This consortium has two overarching aims:

Specific Aim #1

The objective is to conduct a prospective, multicenter, observational study of patients with well-characterized alcoholic hepatitis (AH) and age-, gender-, and race- matched individuals with comparable history of alcohol consumption but no clinical evidence of liver disease (heavy drinking controls), and patients with no alcohol consumption (healthy controls). Subjects with AH and heavy drinking controls will be followed for 3 months, and healthy controls are evaluated at baseline. A robust central bio-repository of serum/plasma, peripheral mononuclear cells, genomic DNA, stool samples, urine, and liver tissue (where available) will be developed from both cases and controls. This study will be carried out at all 8 clinical centers of the AlcHepNet consortium.

Specific Aim #2

We hypothesize the clinical efficacy and safety of Anakinra (plus zinc) will increase survival at 90 days compared to the current standard medical treatment consisting of prednisone in participants with clinically severe AH.

Interested patients/providers can e-mail Dr. Vatsalya Vatsalya for more information.