The National Health Service is preparing to launch a significant clinical trial of a groundbreaking new treatment for a deadly form of liver disease. The trial, set to begin in early 2026, will involve 72 seriously ill patients across 13 major UK hospitals.
How the Dialive Device Works
The trial will evaluate a medical device called Dialive, which is designed to clean a patient's blood. The machine removes harmful toxins that accumulate when the liver fails, a condition known as acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). Patients are connected to the device, which filters their blood, aiming to halt further organ damage and allow the liver a chance to regenerate.
This process is crucial because ACLF triggers a cascade where the body's vital organs begin to shut down. The current mortality rate for the condition is high, and existing treatments often cannot reverse the destructive cycle of inflammation.
Expert Hopes for a Medical Breakthrough
Leading liver specialists involved in the study have expressed considerable optimism. Professor Rajiv Jalan, a senior liver specialist and co-principal investigator who founded Yaqrit (the company that developed Dialive), stated the trial's goal is clear.
"Our goal is to demonstrate that we can resolve life-threatening ACLF more often and faster than standard care," said Jalan. "These are gravely ill patients with multi-organ failure and high risk of death, so there is a desperate need for effective treatments not only here but all around the world."
Dr Rohit Saha, a consultant at London's Royal Free Hospital and another co-investigator, explained the current challenge. "Many patients die because their bodies become trapped in a destructive cycle of inflammation that current treatments can’t reverse," he said. "Dialive offers new hope, with the potential to put this condition into remission."
The Future Impact on Patient Care
The randomised controlled trial will carefully compare outcomes for patients receiving the Dialive treatment alongside standard care against those receiving standard care alone. If successful, the technology could transform care pathways for some of the NHS's sickest patients.
Dr Mansoor Bangash, a consultant at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and a principal investigator, highlighted the broader potential. "If we can support more patients to recover, with new devices like Dialive, while simultaneously tackling underlying infections, then we can improve survival rates and ensure they are in the best possible condition for a transplant-free future," he said.
This national trial represents a critical step in addressing a condition with limited treatment options. The medical community will watch closely, hoping the Dialive device can deliver on its promise to increase survival chances and reduce time in hospital for those battling acute-on-chronic liver failure.
