6 Hepatology Headlines You Missed in August 2025

August 2025 brought a major milestone in hepatology with the FDA approval of semaglutide (Wegovy) 2.4 mg for adults with noncirrhotic metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), based on results from the phase 3 ESSENCE trial. The decision further elevates GLP-1 receptor agonists in liver care, a focus of recent Diabetes Dialogue and Liver Lineup episodes.

Other research this month highlighted persistent challenges across other facets of liver health, including pruritus in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), healthy diet and physical activity in the context of alcohol-related liver mortality, and infectious disease screening within substance use treatment programs.

Check out this August 2025 hepatology month in review for a recap of HCPLive’s coverage of the top hepatic news and research from the past few weeks:

FDA Approves Semaglutide (Wegovy) Injection 2.4 mg for Noncirrhotic MASH

On August 15, 2025, the FDA approved Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide (Wegovy) injection 2.4 mg for the treatment of adults with MASH with moderate to advanced fibrosis, but not with cirrhosis, in conjunction with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity. The decision was based on results from the phase 3 ESSENCE trial investigating the effects of once-weekly semaglutide 2.4 mg injection on liver histology in adults with MASH and moderate to advanced liver fibrosis at week 72.

Diabetes Dialogue: FDA Approves Semaglutide (Wegovy) for MASH

In this episode of Diabetes Dialogue, cohosts Diana Isaacs, PharmD, and Natalie Bellini, DNP, break down semaglutide’s FDA approval for MASH, emphasizing how the new indication not only broadens treatment options but also raises awareness of MASH as a progressive, life-limiting condition that warrants active management.

Liver Lineup: GLP-1 RAs and FGF21s for MASH, with Mary Rinella, MD

In this episode of Liver Lineup, cohosts Nancy Reau, MD, and Kimberly Brown, MD, are joined by Mary Rinella, MD, to discuss the rapidly evolving therapeutic landscape for MASH, focusing specifically on the promise of GLP-1 RAs and FGF21s. Within the next decade, Rinella says she anticipates a much richer therapeutic armamentarium that could allow most patients with MASH to receive targeted treatment. However, the group acknowledges that decompensated cirrhosis remains an area of unmet need, with no therapies yet convincingly effective.

Pruritus Increases HRQoL Burden in PBC, Underscoring Need for Effective Treatments

New research suggests people with PBC and moderate-to-severe pruritus experience a greater health-related quality of life (HRQoL) burden and reduced activity compared to those with mild-to-no pruritus. Specifically, those who reported experiencing pruritus experienced a significantly greater negative impact on HRQoL across a range of domains, including those related to itch, fatigue, and social and cognitive function. Of note, those with pruritus reported infrequent use of treatments targeting itch, with minimal or no relief.

Healthy Diet, Physical Activity Improve Alcohol-Related Liver Health

Findings from this study shed light on the benefits of adhering to a healthy diet and being physically active in the context of alcohol-attributable liver-related mortality risk, highlighting notable attenuations in this risk across all drinking patterns, including heavy and binge drinking.

Daily alcohol intake and binge drinking were independently associated with greater risks of liver-related mortality, but this risk was found to be reduced with healthy dietary patterns and increased physical activity. Of note, women achieved greater liver survival benefits than men.

Infectious Disease Screening in Substance Use Treatment Programs Effective, Study Finds

Embedding infectious disease (ID) screening within inpatient substance use disorder programs may offer notable benefits, including increases in testing uptake and low-barrier delivery of preventive and therapeutic treatment. This effectiveness study evaluated a comprehensive ID screening, prevention, and treatment intervention embedded within an inpatient withdrawal management and substance use recovery program at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center and found that embedding ID services in this setting significantly increased completion of hepatitis A virus, hepatitis B virus , and latent tuberculosis screening.