Molecular Signatures Identified to Predict Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis Progression and Cancer Risk
Molecular Signatures Identified to Predict PSC Progression and Cancer Risk
Dr Ghada Nouairia
How can PSC progression be predicted?
Predicting the course of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a major clinical challenge because the disease varies significantly between individuals. Some people may develop severe liver damage, while others face an increased risk of bile duct cancer (CCA), and others face barely any disease progression at all. Researchers are urgently seeking new, non-invasive tools, known as biomarkers, that can provide a clearer and more timely prognosis than current methods. Dr Nouairia’s study was designed to use advanced data analysis to uncover new biological clues.
What did the research team analyse?
The study analysed blood samples from 33 people with and without PSC, measuring three specific types of circulating molecules: microRNAs, proteins, and metabolites. By applying advanced data analysis and machine-learning methods, the research team has successfully identified distinct molecular "signatures" linked to different presentations, or phenotypes, of the disease. This approach allows for a deeper understanding of the subtle biological differences in a condition known for its varied progression.
What are the key findings?
The results represent a crucial step towards developing diagnostic tools that could ultimately help predict disease progression and identify individuals at a higher risk of complications.
Key findings include:
- Each PSC phenotype has its own unique set of molecules that may serve as future biomarkers for disease progression and risk prediction of CCA.
- The machine learning approach could pick up subtle molecular differences between PSC with and without inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), even though they appear very similar biologically.
- Severe PSC and PSC that progresses to CCA were found to share few molecular features, suggesting possible distinct early markers for cancer risk.
What is the impact for people with PSC?
These promising findings move us closer to a future of more personalised follow-up for people living with PSC. If blood-based molecules can reliably predict who is at higher risk of cancer or severe progression, healthcare professionals could tailor monitoring and treatment strategies more effectively. PSC Support is proud to have funded this work, which directly aligns with our mission to unlock understanding and accelerate the development of effective treatments for the PSC community.
Turning Ambition into Action in 2026:
Our Fortnight in Focus
At PSC Support, we want a world without PSC. We work tirelessly behind the scenes to drive research and improve lives. Here is a snapshot of what we've been up to:
Progressing Research: We supported a major research funding application to help secure the resources needed for high-quality studies into PSC treatments. This vital work ensures that promising scientific ideas have the backing they need to become the breakthroughs of tomorrow.
Improving Care: We attended the British Association for the Study of the Liver (BASL) Immune Special Interest Group meeting to stay at the forefront of clinical advances. By focusing on areas like transition care for young people, we ensure our future work is perfectly aligned with the evolving needs of the PSC community.
Progressing Research: We championed the use of new tools that help doctors better understand how PSC affects daily wellbeing. By focusing on these patient-reported outcomes, we are ensuring that future clinical trials measure the symptoms that matter most to our community.
Building Partnerships: We met with national regulators to ensure that patient symptoms are officially recognised when new medicines are being assessed. This advocacy is vital for making sure the patient voice directly influences whether new PSC treatments are approved for use.
Organisational Excellence: We explored how emerging technologies like AI can be used to spot liver changes earlier. Staying at the forefront of innovation supports our strategic goal to turn scientific discoveries into faster diagnoses and better treatments.
Improving Care: We worked with our helpline nurse to improve our helpline services and digital learning, ensuring every patient gets expert support when they need it.
Empowering our Community: We updated our website with the latest findings from our funded research programmes. By turning complex scientific breakthroughs into accessible information, we ensure you stay informed about the progress your donations are making possible.
Organisational Excellence: We analysed our social media reach to ensure our health information and research updates are reaching as many people as possible. This helps us grow our community and ensures that no one has to face a PSC diagnosis alone.