Highlights from ACG2026

Focus on Metabolic Dysfunction–Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH, formerly NASH)

DAY 3: Resmetirom May Be More Effective in Preventing Cirrhosis than Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists

Treatment with resmetirom achieved a marked decrease in the incidence of cirrhosis compared with glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists in a large population living with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), according to real-world data presented at the 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology in Nashville, Tennessee.

October 21, 2026

DAY 3: Delayed Recognition Leads to Worse Outcomes in Lean Patients with Steatotic Liver Disease

Retrospective data presented at the 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG 2026) reinforced previous observations that non-obesity-related steatotic liver disease may carry a significant risk of worse hepatic outcomes despite a lower body mass index (BMI) and a reduced burden of metabolic comorbidities.

October 21, 2026

DAY 3: Accurate Diagnosis of Compensated Cirrhosis Relies on Complementary Evidence

A multimodal approach combining different noninvasive screening tools with etiology-specific thresholds may increase diagnostic certainty, ensuring timely management of patients with compensated cirrhosis. Data presented at the 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology showed that commonly used noninvasive tests designed to assess different features of liver disease may yield different results in different populations, and may not uniformly identify compensated cirrhosis.

October 21, 2026

DAY 3: Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists May Improve Survival for Patients with Cirrhosis

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist therapy may benefit patients with liver disease even after they develop cirrhosis, potentially reducing their risk of liver decompensation and mortality, according to an analysis presented at the 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology in Nashville, Tennessee.

October 21, 2026

DAY 1: Cardiometabolic Profiles Matter When Selecting Therapies for Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis

Clinicians may need to look beyond hepatic fibrosis and consider cardiovascular risk when selecting therapeutic options for people with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) or metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Considering the cardiometabolic profiles of different therapies is particularly important when managing individuals with dyslipidemia and other cardiovascular risk factors, according to real-world data presented at the 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG 2026) in Nashville, Tennessee.

October 19, 2026

DAY 1: Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome Increases Risk for Steatotic Liver Disease In Women

An analysis presented at the 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology in Nashville, Tennessee revealed that polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) significantly increases the risk of developing metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and associated complications.

October 19, 2026

DAY 1: Are Primary Care Providers Equipped to Screen and Manage Patients with Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease?

Addressing provider confidence and simplifying risk stratification are two critical steps in the process of integrating the management of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) into primary care clinics, according to survey findings presented at the 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology in Nashville, Tennessee.

October 19, 2026

DAY 1: Translating Targeted Therapies for Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis Into Real-World Uptake Poses Significant Challenges

The real-world uptake of resmetirom remains low more than 1 year after the medication received regulatory approval in the United States for the treatment of adults with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and moderate-to-advanced fibrosis, according to retrospective data presented at the 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology in Nashville, Tennessee.

October 19, 2026

DAY 2: Non-Invasive Monitoring Tool Enables Earlier Assessment of Treatment Response in Patients with Liver Fibrosis

Emerging clinical data have continued to reinforce the role of LIVERFASt, a noninvasive blood-based test, as a reliable option for the longitudinal monitoring of patients who initiate resmetirom therapy. Real-world findings presented at the 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology showed that LIVERFASt may provide earlier insights into therapeutic response and disease progression in patients being treated for metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis (MASH) compared to other noninvasive monitoring modalities.

October 20, 2026

DAY 2: Resmetirom Improved Key Cardiovascular Risk Markers Regardless of Statin Use

A secondary analysis of data from the phase 3 MAESTRO-NASH trial showed that treatment with resmetirom led to significant improvements in atherogenic lipid profiles in people with metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and moderate-to-advanced fibrosis, irrespective of background statin therapy.

October 20, 2026

DAY 2: Physical Activity May Improve Survival for People With Steatotic Liver Disease

Findings from a population-based study spanning three decades showed that engaging in regular physical activity may reduce mortality odds for people living with steatotic liver disease, and may particularly benefit individuals who previously led completely sedentary lifestyles. “Among patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death,” said Sahiljot Singh Bhupal, MD, an internal medicine resident at the St. Francis Medical Center, in Lynwood, California, who presented the results at the 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology.

October 20, 2026

DAY 2: Double Burden of Steatotic Liver Disease and Metabolic Disorders May Affect Women Disproportionately

A retrospective analysis of U.S. mortality trends over the past two decades revealed a steep increase in the death rates associated with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) among individuals with metabolic comorbidities, particularly type 2 diabetes and obesity. While these trends reflect an upward trajectory of metabolic dysfunction in the U.S. population at large, women with comorbid diabetes or obesity have been disproportionately affected by MASH-related mortality, according to the findings presented at the 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology in Nashville, Tennessee.

October 20, 2026

DAY 2: Echocardiography Can Act as an Early Screening Tool for Steatotic Liver Disease

Incorporating hepatic imaging into cardiac evaluations may help detect metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) early and prevent disease progression, according to findings presented at the 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology in Nashville, Tennessee.

October 20, 2026

Highlights from ACG2026

Focus on Metabolic Dysfunction–Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH, formerly NASH)

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