A randomized trial found that a combination of dasatinib and quercetin improved liver fibrosis in people with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH).
Source: Human randomized trial, 31 participants with fibrotic MASH. People were assigned at random to take it or not: the strongest single kind of study for showing cause and effect.
What was found
In participants treated with dasatinib and quercetin, 47% showed at least one stage of fibrosis improvement without MASH worsening on liver biopsies, compared to 7% in the placebo group.
MASH resolution occurred in 53% of the dasatinib and quercetin group versus 7% in the placebo group. The NAFLD Activity Score also showed a greater reduction in the dasatinib and quercetin group.
Single-nucleus RNA sequencing indicated decreased senescence and fibrotic gene signatures, and reduced fibrogenic cell populations in the group receiving dasatinib and quercetin.
Adverse events were more frequent in the dasatinib and quercetin group (82% versus 43%), but all were self-limiting.
How it was done
This was a phase 2, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Thirty-one participants with fibrotic MASH were randomized to receive either dasatinib (100 mg per day) plus quercetin (1,000 mg per day) or a placebo.
Treatment was given for three consecutive days per week over three weeks, repeated across three 7-week cycles.
The primary endpoint was at least one stage of fibrosis improvement without MASH worsening, assessed by paired liver biopsies.
What it does not show
This was a small proof-of-principle trial with 31 participants, which limits the generalizability of the findings.
The study involved a relatively short treatment duration of three weeks per cycle, repeated over three cycles.
What happens next
The trial supports the need for future trials of senolytic therapy in fibrotic MASH.
Who was talking about it
- Bioengineer.org on the news (2026-10-08): Bioengineer.org reported that the first randomized trial of an anti-aging drug combination cleared senescent cells and reversed liver scarring. See the post
The source
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