Despite advances in medical science—including the development of effective mRNA vaccines amid today’s pandemic—treatment for certain cancers remains lacking. For liver cancer, in particular, the efficiency of treatment options leaves much to be desired, and surgical options are typically available only for children and young adults with no prior liver problems. This is especially true for fibrolamellar carcinoma. While recent genetic studies have made progress in identifying the specific genes that drive the growth of fibrolamellar tumors, available drugs used to treat other types of liver cancer simply don’t work on this condition.

To address this, Dr. Sanford M. Simon, Ph.D and his team at The Rockefeller University took on the challenge to find a potential treatment. They did so by testing over 5,000 compounds — either already approved for other clinical uses, or used in clinical trials — to see whether any of the compounds could be repurposed to treat fibrolamellar carcinoma. The researchers discovered a few classes of therapeutics which destroy fibrolamellar tumor cells growing in mice.

“We decided to be completely agnostic about what we thought would work—we tried everything,” asserted Rockefeller’s Dr. Simon, in a press release. “To our surprise, we found a few compounds that work really well.”

Identifying the perfect therapeutic target for a disease and testing drugs to determine their efficiency can take years. As such, Simon and his team took an expedited approach and found few new classes of therapeutics that appear to effectively kill fibrolamellar tumor cells. Their study, published in Cancer Discovery, also provides molecular explanations for why these drugs can be effective against this type of liver cancer that has remained untreated for years.

Simon’s work is an example of precision medicine, which continues to change the face of cancer treatment, with its tailored approach that targets a patient’s specific condition, genetic composition, lifestyle, and environment.

“You don’t want to give everyone with a limp the same treatment—you want it ‘precisely targeted’ based on whether they have twisted their ankle, broken a bone, or just have a splinter,” explained Simon.

The key to applying precision medicine to cancer treatment, Simon explained, is not blindly testing drugs against cancer mutations, but conducting functional screenings that ask which drugs actually have an impact on the tumor in question.

Another key finding from using their precision medicine approach is that it will not be necessary to screen new cancer drug candidates in cells grown in mice before testing them on human cells. That shortcut saves an extra step that would prolong the cancer research for months; precious time which many liver cancer patients may not have.

Simon and his team tested the compounds on human cells taken directly from patients’ tumors. The success of this approach means physicians may soon be able to biopsy cells from a patient’s tumor and subject those cells to being tested by various drug candidates, in order to find the most effective treatment for a specific patient, in a matter of days.

“Up to this point, I’ve had to tell patients that we don’t have any medicines that are proven to work,” said Dr. Michael V. Ortiz — a pediatric oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center – who is also a collaborator on the study. “It’s really thrilling that we finally have some promising drugs to go after, in clinical trials. And, since each individual responds differently, it’s particularly exciting that we had multiple hits, which we can now test in combination with one another.”

With additional work underway, this team’s novel approach shows promise in producing the first therapy for fibrolamellar carcinoma. And while we wait for updates from this exciting new research, let’s heed ADRLF’s critical message: Screen. Vaccinate. Don’t hesitate.

To learn more about their work, visit the Simon Lab’s site here

To learn more about liver inflammation, read more here

To explore lifestyle tips for a healthy liver, visit our blog

Avocados may not be at the top of your summer fruit hit list, but this creamy and savory large berry offers a dynamic flavor that works great—even as a refreshing dessert—to serve at your next summer brunch! While avocados are known to be an excellent source of healthy fat, they are also rich in magnesium, potassium, and vitamins C, E, and K, among many other minerals. Its nutritious contents come with the added benefit of being low in sugar—making it liver-friendly. So, get creative and go beyond your go-to avocado toasts to fully explore the culinary potential of this healthy fruit. Try our yummy top avocado dessert ideas, as you safely enjoy the rest of summer!

(BONUS TIP: this versatile superfood goes very well with chocolates–another liver-healthy and antioxidant-rich ingredient!)

CHOCOLATE PUDDING POPS from https://www.loveandlemons.com/

INGREDIENTS:

2 medium ripe avocados

¼ cup chocolate chips, melted* (see note)

3 tablespoons cacao powder

3 tablespoons maple syrup

3 tablespoons almond butter

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 cups Almond Breeze Almondmilk (Vanilla)

¼ teaspoon sea salt

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Scoop the avocados into a blender along with the melted chocolate chips, cacao powder, maple syrup, almond butter, vanilla, almond milk, and sea salt. Blend until smooth. Pour into ice pop molds and freeze overnight, or for at least nine hours.
2. To remove the pops, let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes until the pops are loose enough to pull out.
3. Optional topping: Melt the additional chocolate chips together with the coconut oil. Drizzle on the pops and sprinkle the crushed nuts on top.
4. Alternatively, you can enjoy this as pudding in non-pop form. After you blend the mixture, scoop it into a bowl, or individual bowls, and chill in the fridge for at least four hours.

CREAMY AVOCADO LIME TART from https://www.eatingbirdfood.com/

INGREDIENTS:

Crust

1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut

1 cup chopped pecans

1 cup medjool dates (about 12)

1-2 teaspoons lime zest

pinch of sea salt

Tart Filling

4 avocados, about 1 1/2 cups of avocado puree

1/2 cup of fresh squeezed lime juice

1/2 cup coconut nectar, or honey

2 Tablespoons coconut oil

2 teaspoons lime zest

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Process the crust ingredients (coconut, pecans, dates, lime zest and sea salt) in a food processor or mini chopper until the dates have turned into a sticky paste holding the crust ingredients together. Take mixture out of the processor and press evenly into your springform pan. Place pan in freezer while you make the tart filling.
2. While the crust is setting in the freezer, blend ingredients for the filling (avocados, lime juice, agave, coconut oil and lime zest) in a high-speed blender or food processor until creamy.
3. Pour the avocado filling over the crust and use a spoon to make sure the filling is even and smooth.
4. Place pan in the freezer to set up, at least two hours, but can be overnight. Take out of freezer, remove the springform pan, let sit out for 10-15 minutes, cut into slices and serve. The longer it sits out, the filling will soften and become more like pudding. It still tastes amazing, but is not as firm. Store any leftovers back in the freezer.

AVOCADO &  COCONUT POPSICLES from https://muybuenocookbook.com/

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup water

½ cup sugar

2 large avocados, halved, pitted, and peeled

1/3 cup coconut milk, do not use coconut cream

2 tablespoons of fresh lime juice

Dash of salt

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. In a small saucepan add the water and sugar. Heat just long enough for the sugar to melt. Remove from the heat and allow time to cool.
2. Cut avocado in half and remove the pit. Spoon the avocado into a blender.
3. Add the sugar water, coconut milk, lime juice, and salt. Blend until smooth and creamy.
4. Pour mixture into popsicle molds, about 3 ounces per mold.
5. Place the popsicle sticks into the molds, put them into the freezer, and let them sit for about four hours or overnight.

CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY TRUFFLES from https://www.wholefoodbellies.com/

INGREDIENTS:

40 grams dark chocolate; preferably 73% cacao

½ avocado

¼ cup mixed berries (a mix of blueberries raspberries, pomegranate and cherries is preferred, but one variety of berry works great as well)

Pinch of salt

2 tablespoons pure maple syrup (use erythritol or liquid stevia to taste if keto)

½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

⅓ cup freeze dried raspberries

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Use a double boiler or a saucepan over low heat to melt the chocolate slowly. Make sure to stir regularly and take off the heat just before the chocolate is completely melted so it doesn’t burn.
2. Add the avocado, berries, and vanilla to a food processor and process until smooth.
3. Drizzle in the melted chocolate, a pinch of salt, and the maple syrup and process until smooth
4. The mixture will be runny so place it into the freezer until workable. You can roll it into a ball without it losing its shape.
5. While the chocolate is in the freezer make your raspberry dust. Place the freeze-dried raspberries in a blender and blend until it resembles bright red dust.
6. Roll a heaped teaspoon of the chocolate mixture into a ball and roll in the raspberry dust.
7. Place in a dish lined with parchment paper and refrigerate until ready to serve.

For more liver-friendly recipes, try these blueberry recipe ideas.

To learn more about protecting your liver and the benefits of screening, check out our blog.

Cool down this summer with an arrary of in-season fruits that make for yummy treats and also nourish your liver. In this blog, we’re putting the spotlight on blueberries! Dubbed as the ‘king of antioxidant-rich fruits’, blueberries are a powerhouse of anthocyanin—the antioxidant that gives it its chic blue hue, vitamin C, vitamin K, and other micronutrients. As you may have learned from our previous blog posts, antioxidants are key to liver health, as they help repair the liver cells, which are responsible for critical tasks such as processing toxins in the body. Antioxidants also have protective properties that help prevent the build-up of fat and other harmful substances in the liver. With these fantastic benefits in mind, check out our culinary curation of these unique and dee-lish blueberry recipes to savor all summer! And while you’re at it – consider taking some extra steps to take care of your liver: Screen. Vaccinate (for hepatitis and COVID-19 too!!!). Don’t hesitate!

Start with this refreshing salad!

WHITE BALSAMIC BLUEBERRY, CORN, AND FETA SALAD

INGREDIENTS:

8 medium ears sweet corn

3 tablespoons olive oil

3 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon minced fresh chives, plus more for garnish

3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1 cup fresh blueberries

1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Carefully peel back corn husks and remove the silk. Rewrap corn in husks and secure with kitchen string. Place in a stockpot and cover with cold water. Soak for 20 minutes then drain.
2. Grill corn, covered, over medium heat for about 20 minutes or until tender, turning often. Cut the string and peel back husks. Cool slightly. Cut the corn from cobs and transfer them to a large bowl.
3. In a small bowl, whisk the oil, vinegar, chives, salt and pepper. Pour over the corn and toss to coat. Gently fold in blueberries and feta. Garnish with additional chives as desired.

Try these unique main dishes!

BLUEBERRY-DIJON CHICKEN

INGREDIENTS:

4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (6 ounces each)

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1 tablespoon butter

1/2 cup blueberry preserves

1/3 cup raspberry vinegar

1/4 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

3 tablespoons Dijon mustard

Minced fresh basil or tarragon, optional

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, cook chicken in butter over medium heat until a thermometer reads 165°, 6-8 minutes on each side. Remove and keep warm.
2. In the same skillet, combine the preserves, vinegar, blueberries, and mustard, stirring to loosen browned bits from the pan. Bring to a boil, then cook and stir until thickened. Serve with chicken. Sprinkle with basil if desired.

Note: If using frozen blueberries, use without thawing to avoid discoloring the batter.

GRILLED PORK TENDERLOIN WITH BLUEBERRY SALSA

INGREDIENTS:

Salsa:

3 cups fresh blueberries

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

2 jalapenos, seeded and minced

1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced

1/3 cup red onion, diced

dash kosher salt

Tenderloin:

2 pounds pork tenderloin

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 clove garlic

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS:

Salsa:

1. Rinse the blueberries and drain well. Reserve 1 cup of berries.
2. Coarsely chop the remaining 2 cups of berries and place them in a bowl with the remaining ingredients. Stir gently, cover, and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Tenderloin:

1. Heat grill to medium heat (350-450 degrees).
2. Slice garlic clove in half and rub over all surfaces of the pork tenderloin. Brush the tenderloin lightly with olive oil and season with freshly ground black pepper. Allow the tenderloin to stand at room temperature for 15 minutes.
3. Grill the tenderloins over direct heat for 15 to 20 minutes, turning every 5 minutes. Keep the grill lid closed as much as possible. Cook until the pork is barely pink in the center.
4. Remove the tenderloin from the grill and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Ladle the blueberry salsa over the top of the slices and serve.

Stay cool with these desserts & drinks!

PEACH AND BLUEBERRY COBBLER

INGREDIENTS:

3/4 cup butter cubed (6 oz)

1 1/2 cups flour

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

3 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/4 cups milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 cups fresh peach slices (*see note)

1 cup fresh blueberries (*see note)

2 teaspoons lemon juice

1/2 cup brown sugar

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Add the cubed butter to a 9 x 13-inch baking dish or pan. Place the dish in the oven for a few minutes until the butter is melted.
2. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the milk and vanilla extract and stir until smooth.
3. Pour the batter evenly over the melted butter in the pan (do not stir!). The melted butter will rise over the batter.
4. Toss the peach slices and blueberries with the lemon juice and spread them evenly over the batter (again, do not stir).
5. Sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the top and bake for 40-50 minutes until the top is golden brown. Allow the cobbler to cool a few minutes before serving.

Notes: If using frozen or canned fruit, thaw the peaches first but use the blueberries frozen. If using canned peaches, be sure to drain them well.

BLUEBERRY AND MAPLE-PECAN GRANOLA PARFAITS

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups vanilla fat-free yogurt

2 cups blueberries

1 cup Maple-Pecan Granola

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Spoon 1/4 cup yogurt into each of 4 parfait glasses.
2. Top each serving with 1/4 cup blueberries.
3. Top each serving with 1/4 cup Maple-Pecan Granola, 1/4 cup yogurt, and 1/4 cup blueberries.

BLUEBERRY LEMONADE MOCKTAIL

INGREDIENTS:

Blueberry puree:

1 cup blueberries

1/3 cup water

1/3 cup sugar

Lemonade:

5 lemons, juiced (about 1 1/2 cups juice)

2/3 cup sugar

5 cups of water

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. In a food processor, blend blueberries and water until smooth.
2. Add 1/3 cup of sugar and continue blending.
3. If desired, strain the blueberry puree using a fine mesh strainer.
4. Meanwhile, juice lemons and add to pitcher.
5. Stir in 2/3 cups of sugar and water.

For liver-healthy smoothie ideas to try this summer, click here.  

To learn more about hepatitis and liver diseases, check out our blog.

The past year of pandemic turmoil has made it challenging for many of us to go for annual physical check-ups and other routine doctor visits that are typically circled as must-do’s on our calendars, once or twice a year. In fact, studies have found that health care utilization has substantially dropped since 2020, with many medical offices having closed at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic – and countless people not only delaying, but actually canceling their scheduled doctor appointments in looking to avoid potentially contracting the virus in a medical setting. Unfortunately, postponing or, worse yet, missing preventive medical appointments has its own risks—especially for people/patients with chronic conditions like HIV and hepatitis B. In a new study, researchers from the University of Washington in Seattle urge that individuals with these co-existing conditions must regularly monitor their health status to avoid the development of liver cancer.

People with HIV and hepatitis B are at risk for developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which is the most common type of primary liver cancer. Hepatitis B is among the leading causes of liver cancer worldwide, and people infected with both HIV and hepatitis B tend to have faster liver disease progression. Despite taking antiviral treatment, those with this co-infection should undergo regular monitoring for liver cancer, according to research presented at the virtual Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections. This annual conference brings together the latest developments in the battle against HIV/AIDS and related infectious diseases.

“Our findings underscore that antiviral therapy reduces but does not eliminate the risk of HCC,” said study author Dr. H. Nina Kim of the University of Washington in Seattle during her presentation.

Kim and her colleagues evaluated risk factors for HCC among people with HIV and hepatitis B. The study included 8,354 participants from an analysis cohort of nearly 124,000 HIV-positive people. The majority  (93 percent) were men, 41 were Black, and the median age was 43 years. Approximately one third reported heavy alcohol use, 22 percent had hepatitis C, and 12 percent had obesity as a health concern—all risk factors for liver disease progression. About 76 percent were taking antiretroviral treatment against hepatitis B.

Looking at the effect of hepatitis B treatment, they found that sustained hepatitis B virus suppression for a year or more reduced the risk of developing HCC by 58 percent; while suppression for four years or more reduced the risk by 66 percent.

Some study limitations include: the lack of women participants, deficient data on fatty liver disease, cirrhosis status, and hepatitis delta infection, which can sometimes occur along with hepatitis B.

“The data highlights the importance of hepatitis B virus surveillance and optimization of HBV suppression,” Kim said. “To gain maximal protective benefit from antiviral therapy for HCC prevention — sustained and ideally uninterrupted suppression of HBV may be necessary over years.”

Simply put, active monitoring of one’s liver health—along with antiviral treatment for those who need it—should be safely maintained amid the pandemic. Mask up and take the opportunity to safely: Screen. Vaccinate. Don’t Hesitate.

Learn more about the study here

Explore different ways to take care of your liver here

Learn more about COVID-19 and liver disease here

While self-care and lowering anxieties are of utmost importance as we cope with a global pandemic, while contending with related safety measures, it’s important to be reminded that not all coping tools are created equal. A recent study, for example, raises concerns about increased alcohol consumption during this pandemic, as more cases of alcohol-related liver diseases and hospitalizations have been reported over the past year.

Keck Hospital of the University of Southern California saw an increase of 30 percent in 2020 compared with 2019. According to a report from Kaiser Health, specialists at hospitals affiliated with the University of Michigan, Northwestern University, Harvard University, and Mount Sinai Health System in New York City reported that rates of admissions for alcohol-related liver disease have increased up to 50 percent since March 2020.

“There’s been a tremendous influx,” said Dr. Haripriya Maddur, a hepatologist at Northwestern Medicine. Many of her patients “were doing just fine” before the pandemic, having avoided relapse for years. But subject to the stress of the ongoing pandemic, “all of the sudden, [they] were in the hospital again.”

Factors that result from the pandemic, specifically isolation, unemployment, and hopelessness, are believed to be associated with the explosion of hospitalizations and cases of liver disease.

Even before the pandemic, alcohol-related liver disease was a growing problem in the United States, contributing to approximately 20 to 25 percent cases of liver cancer. Complications from alcohol-related liver diseases usually occur after years of heavy drinking.

These institutions have also reported that the age of patients getting hospitalized for alcohol-related liver conditions has been trending down, especially among those 40 years old and below. Pandemic-related factors greatly impacting young adults may include difficulties in getting entry-level jobs, as well as issues in entering the housing market and starting a family.

Notably, the pandemic has been disporportnately affecting women—not only in the jobs market, but also healthwise, in cases of alcohol-related liver disease as well. “[The] stress of the pandemic has, in some ways, particularly targeted women,” noted Dr. Jessica Mellinger, a hepatologist at the University of Michigan, in a report from Kaiser Health. Lower wages, less job stability, and the burdens of parenting tend to fall more heavily on women’s shoulders, she said.

“If you have all of these additional stressors, with all of your forms of support gone—and all you have left is the bottle—that’s what you’ll resort to,” added Mellinger. “But a woman who drinks like a man gets sicker faster.”

Women in general metabolize alcohol at slower rates than men. In fact, the CDC’s Dietary Guidelines for Alcohol recommends that women have one drink or fewer per day, compared with two or fewer for men.

Nationwide, alcohol consumption has risen sharply during pandemic shutdown. A national study conducted by RAND corporation found rates of alcohol consumption in spring 2020 were up 14 percent compared with the same period in 2019. Heavy drinking episodes—defined as four or more drinks within a couple of hours—have increased in women by 41 pecent. Unemployment, isolation, anxiety, lack of daily structure, and boredom all have increased the risk of heightened alcohol use.

If you or someone you know needs some help with alcohol consumption, check out the resources below. Aside from opening that bottle of bourbon, there are numerous productive ways to ‘take the edge off’ — from meditation to exercise to catching up with friends — as we look to care for ourselves and our loved ones through this stressful pandemic. And if you must indulge in, remember: moderation, in your approach to drinking, is key — especially in these fragile times. And as we start seeing a light at the end of this pandemic tunnel with increased vaccination, let’s continue practicing the necessary COVID-19 precautions while keeping our overall health—including mental health and liver health—in mind. And whenever you feel safe enough, per your doctor’s advice, to do so, ADRLF encourages you to: Screen. Vaccinate. Don’t Hesitate!

• Alcoholics Anonymous: www.aa.org
• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: www.samhsa.gov