The Philippine Liver Research Network (PLRN) held its second meeting on 23 September 2024, convening a diverse group of researchers, clinicians, and stakeholders dedicated to advancing liver health research in the Philippines. The virtual meeting highlighted the importance of collaboration in addressing liver health challenges and showcased innovative projects currently underway.

“We need to create a critical mass of researchers going from the north and the south to provide the necessary data,” said Dr. Claudio Tiribelli, international partner from the Fondazione Italiana Fegato and one of the initiators of PLRN. He underscored the potential for pooled resources and expertise to drive significant advancements in liver research.

The meeting featured a series of presentations that illustrated a wide array of ongoing and completed Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) supported projects, reinforcing the message that collaboration amplifies the impact of research initiatives. 

Technology Trends in Liver Health Research

Dr. Mark Carascal presented innovative 3D liver spheroids that offer a more accurate in vitro model of liver functions, effectively bridging the gap between animal studies and human physiology. Meanwhile, Dr. Edhel Tripon showcased a machine learning model aimed at early detection of liver cirrhosis using Filipino clinical data, highlighting the significance of collaborative validation for enhanced accuracy. Additionally, Dr. Ranzivelle Marianne Roxas-Villanueva discussed research that integrates genomic and clinical data through AI, stressing the necessity of collaborative input to advance diagnostic capabilities in liver cancer.

Public Health and Policies

The meeting also highlighted essential public health initiatives, such as the Strengthening the InTegrated Care and Treatment for Hepatitis (StITCH) project led by Dr. Janus Ong, aimed at improving hepatitis care in primary healthcare settings in both the Philippines and Vietnam. Dr. Chona Patalen also presented findings from a national survey estimating the prevalence of Hepatitis B and C, revealing both challenges and successes in data collection.

Biomarker Discovery in Liver Disease

Significant progress in biomarker discovery was presented by Dr. Angela Salvaña, who discussed a multi-institutional study focused on developing liquid biopsy markers for hepatocellular carcinoma, while Dr. Mara Panlilio explored the gut microbiome’s influence on chronic liver disease outcomes.

Attendees participated in breakout sessions to discuss collaborative opportunities, emphasizing the establishment of a centralized biorepository for data sharing, the need for a national framework to link liver disease registries, and the importance of training the next generation of researchers in molecular medicine.

Dr. Tiribelli concluded the meeting with a call for international collaboration, particularly with other Southeast Asian nations, and reiterated that peer-reviewed publications are vital outputs of these collective efforts. 

“Collaboration is the cornerstone of progress in liver health research. By uniting our efforts and sharing our expertise, we can create innovative solutions that will transform the landscape of liver care in the Philippines and beyond,” said Dr. Jaime Montoya, DOST-PCHRD Executive Director. 

The third meeting, integrated in the ASEAN Liver Research Initiative, will be held on October 17-18, 2024, at the Savoy Hotel in Manila.