SUMMARY
Manal F. Abdelmalek, M.D., focuses on understanding risk factors for acquisition and progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. She also researches the discovery of new approaches to treat its progressive form, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, formerly known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.
Dr. Abdelmalek has expertise in clinical-translational research, and in the design and conduct of clinical trials, including investigator-initiated, industry-sponsored and National Institutes of Health-funded clinical studies. The research, trials and clinical studies she undertakes evaluate new therapies and biomarkers for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis. She collaborates extensively to transition new compounds to first-in-human clinical studies and is a leading investigator in global trials of new and emerging therapies for the treatment of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis.
Dr. Abdelmalek is a key opinion leader in the field of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis therapeutics. She is a member of the Liver Forum. She is also an adviser and consultant to many industries, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and biomarker development companies. Dr. Abdelmalek advises these groups in the area of diagnostics and therapeutics for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis.
Focus Areas
- Therapies for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis. Dr. Abdelmalek is the director of the Metabolic Dysfunction Associated Steatotic Liver Disease Clinical Research Program at Mayo Clinic. She investigates new therapies for the treatment of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis. These new treatments include antimetabolic, anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic therapies such as glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists, pan-peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor agonists and fibroblast growth factor-21 agonists.
- Repurposed medicines for treating metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis. Dr. Abdelmalek evaluates the pathogenic mechanisms and clinical outcomes of therapies that are being used to treat complications of metabolic syndrome and their effects on outcomes in metabolic dysfunction liver conditions.
- Preventing progression of fibrosis. Dr. Abdelmalek is dedicated to evaluating therapies that have potential to prevent the progression of liver scarring, known as fibrosis, and strives to decrease the risk of cirrhosis, liver cancer and the need for liver transplantation.
- Outcomes in people with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis and advanced hepatic fibrosis. One of the challenges in clinical practice is the inability to predict complications of liver disease before such complications occur. Dr. Abdelmalek's research strives to develop predictive biomarkers or integrated models for liver conditions. These biomarkers may predict the likelihood of an outcome in those who have well-compensated metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis-related cirrhosis.
Significance to Patient Care
Liver disease is one of the leading causes of death in the United States and the world. This is especially true in liver disease relating to weight gain, obesity and metabolic syndrome. While researchers have made many advances, few therapeutic options beyond lifestyle modifications currently exist.
Dr. Abdelmalek and her colleagues target the investigation of new therapies for fatty liver disease, also called steatotic liver disease, and liver fibrosis attributable to metabolic dysfunction. This includes the development of new diagnostic tests, such as biomarkers, and new therapies for people with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis and liver cirrhosis.
Professional Highlights
- Member, Global Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Council, 2024-present.
- Member, Steering Committee, Chronic Liver Disease Foundation, 2023-present.
- American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases:
- Chair, Global Outreach and Engagement Committee, 2022-present.
- Member, Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Practice Guidelines Writing Committee, 2021-2023.
- Co-chair, Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Special Interest Group, 2016-2017.
- Chair, Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Placebo Cohort Working Group, Liver
- Member, Nutrition in Liver Disease Guidelines Writing Committee, American College of Gastroenterology, 2021
- Associate editor, Hepatology, 2021-2026.