The Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD), Fondazione Italiana Fegato (FIF), and the University of the Philippines Manila (UP Manila) are set to explore more collaborative opportunities in liver research. 

Building on the partnership between the DOST-PCHRD and the FIF, a tripartite agreement with UP Manila was signed in 2021 to facilitate research collaborations that will support the establishment of the Philippine Liver Network. This was initiated to address the lack of evidence and research on liver diseases, despite its significant burdens among Filipinos. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority reveals that in 2020, 27.3 in every 1000 deaths were attributed to liver diseases.

Through its existing agreement, the parties cooperated in enabling research on the applications of OMIC technologies and artificial intelligence for liver research, as well as animal and non-animal models for liver diseases.

To date, the Council has supported four completed projects that tackle liver cancer diagnosis, hepatitis stigma, hyperbilirubinemia screening, and the development of the Philippine Liver Research Program. Currently implemented are three ongoing projects exploring AI-driven liver cancer diagnosis, liquid biopsy for liver cancer, and the development of a data registry for liver disease in the country. 

This year, a newly-approved program entitled, PHIL LIVER or Promoting Healthy Filipino Liver through Interdisciplinary Innovative Research Program composed of four component projects is set to commence implementation with funding from the DOST Grants-In-Aid Program. Under the PHIL LIVER Program, UP Manila will develop the PHIL LIVER biobank which will be used for the study of liver diseases, identify biomarkers for viral hepatitis, determine metabolic markers for chronic liver disease, and examine the liver condition of people living with HIV (PLWHIV).

“The first out of four strategic agenda of DOST is to promote the human well-being. That covers health concerns, food and nutrition, access to clean water environment, decent shelter and clothing, and quality education. The second is to create wealth so that Filipinos have income to sustain their daily activities. Just focusing on these two, we will definitely say that our collaboration to develop the liver network in the country would really be very beneficial to us Filipinos,” said DOST Secretary, Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr. “To really sustain our socioeconomic development, we need to have healthy Filipinos. Out of these health-related initiatives—products and services—we can develop certain income streams,” he added. 

DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum, Jr. (Photo courtesy: Henry De Leon/DOST-STII)

In support of the research efforts led by UP Manila, the pioneering scholars of the DOST-PCHRD PhD in Molecular Biomedicine scholarship program, Dr. Loraine Kay Cabral and Dr. Noel Salvoza, are set to work on the development of the country’s liver research roadmap. The two graduated from the program in September 2023 and are currently working with the Council as S&T Fellows. 

According to Dr. Cabral, the roadmap is important in the achievement of a shared agenda both within and across disciplines of liver research. “This will pave the way for obtaining scientific evidence that is key to creating innovations and formulation of future policies to drive improvements in liver disease prevention, treatment, and care,” she said.

Dr. Salvoza stressed the role of partnerships in advancing Philippine liver research. “As both a medical doctor and now, a trained scientist, I recognize the vital contribution that our research partners bring to this collaboration. Their expertise and dedication are crucial in advancing our understanding of liver health and bridging existing gaps in research.” he said.

“We are able to make such significant progress in liver research thanks to our partners from Italy and UP Manila, and support from the DOST,” said DOST-PCHRD Executive Director Montoya. “I look forward to more future collaborations that will address the burdens of liver disease among Filipinos,” he added. 

Dr. Eva Maria Cutiongco-De La Paz, Executive Director of the National Institutes of Health, highlighted the opportunities that the network will open. First, to build the capacity of researchers within the network of academic and research institutions to conduct liver research. Second, to allow partnerships to happen between multi-specialty collaborations; and third, to develop health policies regarding liver diseases. 

The Philippine Liver Network is envisioned to become a collaborative research hub exploring the application of various fields of research in the context of liver disease. The DOST-PCHRD and FIF are aligned in their shared aspiration to renew their partnership and continue cooperation for mutual advantages in promoting and pursuing scientific and technological collaboration. With this renewal, both entities aim to sustain the collaboration to support the Liver Research Program led by UP Manila, which would contribute in the establishment of the Philippine Liver Network.

From left to right: Dr. Jaime Montoya, DOST-PCHRD Executive Director, Prof. Claudio Tiribelli, Scientific Director, Italian Liver Foundation, Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr., DOST Secretary, Dr. Leah J. Buendia, DOST Undersecretary for Research and Development, Dr. Eva Maria Cutiongco-De La Paz, National Institutes of Health Executive Director (Photo courtesy: Henry De Leon/DOST-STII)