betty and guy beatty center for integrated - Inova Health System

C ENTER FOR LIVER DISEASES ( CLD)
Two areas of research focus for CLD involves obesity-related fatty liver
disease and hepatitis C (HCV). The spectrum of our research portfolio includes,
clinical, translational, and outcomes research projects. Patients
who participate in clinical research gain access to the most recent approaches
in treating the two most common forms of chronic liver disease in
the world.
As noted previously, within its areas of research focus, CLD carries out
three types of research: Clinical Trials, Translational Research Protocols
(genomics and proteomics protocols), and Health Services Research Projects,
including quality of life projects.
search. The translational research projects of CLD include gene expression,
proteomics, and biomarker discovery protocols focused on obesityrelated
NAFLD and hepatitis C. Members of CLD are internationally recognized
experts in this area of research. These pioneering protocols are
performed in conjunction with colleagues from George Mason University
(Drs. Ancha Baranova, Vikas Chandhoke, Lance Liotta, and Emmanuel
Petricoin) as well as industry partners, such as Celera. As a result of
these collaborations, CLD has secured research grants and registered
five patents for biomarkers over the past year. These projects have
spawned a large number of original research publications in peerreviewed
journals and presentations at international scientific meetings.
The third type of CLD research focuses on health services, primarily
health-related quality of life. Again, CLD members are known internationally
for their expertise in quality of life (QoL) research in liver disease. In
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provide patients with superb clinical care and innovative, cutting-edge re- Research Program, the center is involved in functional assessment and
search protocols. Both activities are carried out in a clinical, academic en- nutritional status of patients with liver diseases.
vironment that involves teaching gastroenterology-hepatology fellows.
In addition, CLD has been involved in the analysis of large databases
such as NHANES III-mortality linked files to study the long term outcomes
of several important liver diseases. These analysis have led to
some very important data linking metabolic syndrome to mortality in patients
with chronic liver disease.
In 2009, the center carried out over 34 research projects for patients with
viral hepatitis and Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH). These projects
include 13 cutting-edge clinical trials, 7 translational research projects,
and 14 outcomes research projects.
RESEARCH TEAM
������������� ������ ����� ��������� ��������� -edge ���������� Members of �������� the CLD integrate ���their ������� clinical practice with patient-oriented
protocols for treating hepatitis C and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease research and teaching. Manirath Srishord, RN, BSN, Administrative Di-
(NALFD). The hepatitis C protocols are primarily phase 2-3 clinical trials of rector of the Center and Fatema Nader, MSBM, CCRC, Research Pro-
new protease, or polymerase inhibitors as well as new interferon products gram Manger oversee all aspects of clinical and research personnel. In
for HCV. These are multi-national protocols and CLD is one of the only addition to Dr. Zobair Younossi, who is the principle investigator for all
sites in this region of the country chosen for these protocols. Furthermore, projects, Dr. Nila Rafiq (Research Fellow), and Brian Lam, PA-C
CLD is carrying out investigator-initiated protocols in NAFLD with external (Physician Assistant), are sub-investigators for these protocols.
support but with our own IND obtained from the FDA.
In addition to the Clinical Trial Team, the Translational Research projects
The second area of research for members of the CLD is translational re- of the CLD is supported by a part-time Research Assistant, Arian Afendy,
P AGE 25 CLD