Liver Meeting 2025 highlights mounting advocacy and AI innovation amid political challenges
The 2025 Liver Meeting, hosted by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) in Washington, D.C., continues to be a focal point for hepatology professionals worldwide, showcasing the latest research and collaborative efforts to advance liver disease understanding and treatment. Against the backdrop of significant political and funding challenges, the event is emphasising both scientific innovation and advocacy for the future of liver health.
A central theme during the meeting has been the mounting challenge posed by federal research funding cuts and the growing politicisation of science. Former National Institutes of Health (NIH) director Francis Collins, speaking at the conference, highlighted how once bipartisan support for research has become deeply partisan, describing this shift as a "dangerous sign for the future of our society." Collins stressed the crucial role of researchers and clinicians as advocates, urging them to engage not only in scientific outreach, such as visiting high school science classes, but also in political advocacy efforts exemplified by AASLD’s Capitol Hill Day. Grace Li-Chun Su, current AASLD president and professor of gastroenterology at the University of Michigan, reinforced this message by underscoring the importance of advocacy from Washington, D.C., where public health policies that shape liver care globally are debated and decided. The conference also featured remarks from Senator Bill Cassidy, who spoke on expanding hepatitis C treatment access, vaccine challenges, and the ongoing federal government shutdown, which has impacted research activities and attendee travel.
The government shutdown was notably disruptive to some research initiatives, such as those tracking liver injuries caused by dietary and herbal supplements. Victor Navarro of Jefferson Health in Philadelphia explained that accessing crucial FDA data on reports of liver damage, particularly from unregulated supplements like high-dose turmeric, became difficult, slowing the surveillance process and illustrating the real-world impacts of political gridlock on medical research.
On the clinical side, the meeting shed light on the evolving landscape of hepatology, which increasingly intersects with addiction medicine and behavioural health. Alcohol use disorder and obesity, often connected with addictive behaviours, are central contributors to liver disease. New treatments, including GLP-1 receptor agonists, show promise in managing these complex co-morbidities. Additionally, clinicians are adopting psychological techniques such as motivational interviewing to better support patients. Gerald Scott Winder, a psychiatrist from Henry Ford Health, remarked that hepatology is “becoming psychiatric practice,” illustrating the shifting skills required by providers in this field.
Innovative research contesting traditional liver disease treatment paradigms was also prominent. Studies presented revealed that patients with cirrhosis refractory to standard beta blockers might benefit from statins, while nutritional support through nasogastric feeding showed potential in improving outcomes for those with decompensated cirrhosis awaiting transplant. Another study resurrected oral betaine, an antioxidant supplement, demonstrating significant reductions in liver enzyme levels in patients with mild alcohol-related steatohepatitis (MASH). Furthermore, an analysis of noninvasive liver screening tests illuminated the inadequacies of commonly used tools like Fib-4, with a newly devised test, MAF-5, outperforming others, raising important questions about screening guidelines and clinical trial enrolment criteria.
Artificial intelligence also took centre stage, reflecting the broader enthusiasm for AI applications in medicine. UCSF’s Jin Ge introduced "LiVersa," a chatbot trained specifically on AASLD clinical guidelines to assist clinicians with liver disease queries. However, comparisons with popular AI tools such as ChatGPT highlighted significant limitations in accuracy and depth, signalling that AI integration into hepatology practice will require further refinement. UCSF hepatologist Jennifer Lai noted this trend as inevitable and full of opportunity for professional societies to shape its development.
Beyond the scientific and advocacy sessions, the meeting also featured lighter moments and community-building activities, including a two-floor indoor “park” with recreational amenities like a pickleball court and golf simulator, alongside a visible yet modest presence of pharmaceutical sponsors. Novo Nordisk’s promotion of Wegovy generated particular attention, while evening events sponsored by companies such as Boehringer Ingelheim, Mium Pharmaceuticals, and Gilead Sciences fostered networking opportunities, including a Pride reception. Notably, the event upheld a mindful approach to addiction medicine by limiting alcohol and offering sugar-sweetened beverages instead.
Adding to the atmosphere was Livvy the Liver, the official mascot of the Liver Education Advocates, who became a popular photo subject in the convention hall, raising liver health awareness with playful slogans about liver-friendly choices and detoxification.
Looking ahead, AASLD’s event schedule continues to offer a comprehensive suite of educational opportunities in 2025 and beyond, including emerging topic conferences on metabolic and alcoholic liver diseases and the eagerly anticipated Liver Meeting scheduled for November 2026 in Las Vegas. These initiatives are bolstered by the AASLD Foundation’s substantial investment of over $60 million in hepatology research and career development, underscoring the community’s commitment to advancing liver disease science and care despite external challenges.
For association executives and trade bodies serving the hepatology sector, the Liver Meeting exemplifies a crucial convergence of cutting-edge science, patient-centred advocacy, and professional development. The ongoing political and funding uncertainties make the call for active advocacy within the community all the more urgent, as these factors will significantly influence how liver care and research evolve globally in the coming years.