DEFINING THE GENETIC DRIVERS OF ADULT-ONSET CHOLESTATIC LIVER DISEASE (NCT07317193) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
DEFINING THE GENETIC DRIVERS OF ADULT-ONSET CHOLESTATIC LIVER DISEASE
Italy60 participantsStarted 2025-11-01
Plain-language summary
Cholestatic disease in adults comprises a heterogeneous group of conditions characterized by intra- or extrahepatic alterations of bile flow that can lead to fibrosis or hepatic decompensation. Due to the heterogeneity of clinical manifestation, which is sometimes very subtle, diagnosis based on clinical, histological, and radiological evaluation is often very complicated. Genetic testing can be helpful in identifying the cause of the clinical phenotype, thereby allowing for targeted follow-up adequate to the patient's specific characteristics and risk factors. Although the utility of genetic analysis has been well documented for other liver diseases or in pediatric cohorts of children with cholestatic disease, the use and benefits of genetic testing in adults with cholestatic disease are still little explored and investigated. In this context, through the use of whole-genome sequencing (WGS), the FIRST project aims to evaluate the role of rare genetic variants in the pathogenesis of cholestatic disease and the utility of WGS in defining a genetic diagnosis.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 65 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion criteria
. persistent or intermittent elevations in serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) or gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) for at least six months not explained following standard diagnostic assessment adhering to the guidelines of the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL), or with a positive family history of unexplained cholestasis or hepato-biliary cancer, negative to previous genetic tests (targeted panel for PFIC genes or WES);
. primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) with unusual features: small-duct PSC, non-typical radiological findings according to radiological guidelines on PSC, absence of concomitant inflammatory bowel disease, negative to previous genetic tests (targeted panel for PFIC genes or WES) or who didn't perform previous genetic test;
. primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) without specific anti-mitochondrial antibodies, negative to previous genetic tests (targeted panel for PFIC genes or WES) or who didn't perform previous genetic test.
Blood donors (age 18-65 years) without clinical signs of liver diseases based on the collected clinical parameters: anthropometric (BMI\>18 and \<25), haematological (Hb, white blood cells, platelets within the reference range), biochemical traits (albumin, bilirubin, AST, ALT, GGT, ALP within the reference range), medical history (negative for chronic or concomitant diseases, including immunological diseases)
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Primary Endpoint: Diagnostic Yield of Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) in Adult Patients with Unexplained or Atypical Cholestasis
Timeframe: 9 months
Trial details
NCT IDNCT07317193
SponsorFondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico