November 2024

James Farrell, MD, recently published a review on the current state of clinical care and research for pancreatic cysts in the New England Journal of Medicine. We spoke with him about this paper, the state of research around pancreatic cysts, and why he is inspired to learn more about this field.

Our body’s most common immune cells have a reputation for destruction and inflammation. Now, researchers are beginning to realize there’s another side to the neutrophil.

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common form of liver cancer in adults. Hepatitis C infection is a known cause of hepatocellular carcinoma because the virus causes chronic inflammation and scarring of the liver, known as cirrhosis. Newer anti-viral drugs offer highly effective cures for hepatitis C, leading to stabilization of hepatitis C-related liver disease and decreased rates of hepatocellular carcinoma. Although new infections can occur at any age, the “baby boomer” generation born between 1945-1965 represents the largest population affected by hepatitis C in the United States. Yale's new research looked at whether ongoing liver cancer screening for individuals who achieved hepatitis C cure improves their overall survival rates.

Yale researchers are developing a machine-learning risk model that uses electronic health record (EHR) data to provide an initial patient assessment based on symptoms rather than where the bleeding is thought to be. In a new paper, they evaluate the machine learning risk model against clinical risk scores to determine the most accurate approach.

About 30% of patients with cystic fibrosis report liver abnormalities and 10% of these patients go on to experience severe liver disease. Traditionally, cystic fibrosis-related liver disease was thought to be caused primarily by defective bile secretion due to the dysfunctional CFTR protein, which limited treatment options. Yale’s recent study led by Romina Fiorotto, PhD, and Mario Strazzabosco, MD, PhD, has identified a connection between the gut microbiome and the development of liver disease in cystic fibrosis patients.