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We report to YOU

This section keeps you updated on any major developments throughout the course of the DECISION project. For PDFs of our own press releases please go to DOWNLOADS. To receive our project newsletter please subscribe here!

  • 30 June 2025

    Halfway There: COMBAT Hits 50% Recruitment Milestone

    We’re proud to share that the COMBAT study, part of the DECISION project, has reached 50% of its recruitment target!

    This marks an important moment in our shared effort to advance personalised treatment strategies for acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). Every inclusion brings us closer to actionable insights that can improve patient care.

    Our thanks go out to all participating clinical sites and their teams for their continued dedication, as well as to our study participants and their families.

    Curious about the COMBAT trial? Our questions and answers videos are available in English, German, Italian, Spanish, and French. Check out the full playlist!

  • 26 June 2025

    New keynote lecture: Inflammation in AD & ACLF

    🎥 Now available to watch!
    We’re excited to share the recording of Prof. Dr. Richard Moreau’s keynote lecture on inflammation in acute decompensation (AD) and acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF), delivered at the DECISION General Assembly.

    Prof. Moreau, Director of EF CLIF, walks us through key terminology, explores the immune dysfunctions characteristic of cirrhosis, and proposes a common mechanism underlying systemic inflammation and immune deficiency in AD and ACLF.

    This is a must-watch for anyone interested in liver failure pathophysiology and immune response research.
    📺 Watch here 👉 https://youtu.be/KWoUbTsNjQM

  • 17 June 2025

    DECISION on LinkedIn: 500 Followers and Growing

    We’re pleased to share that our LinkedIn community has now surpassed 500 followers!
    This growing network reflects the increasing interest in DECISION’s work to improve patient outcomes in decompensated cirrhosis through translational research and clinical trials.

    We’re grateful for your continued support and look forward to sharing more updates, results, and opportunities for collaboration in the months ahead.
    📲 https://www.linkedin.com/company/decision-project/

  • 13 May 2025

    Reflections on EASL 2025!

    After an energizing few days in Amsterdam, we’re back with renewed motivation and important insights from this year’s EASL Congress 2025.

    The DECISION team had the pleasure of participating in a number of sessions and meetings – from scientific presentations to networking events and our own investigator meeting. Each encounter reaffirmed the value of collaboration in tackling the complexities of decompensated cirrhosis and ACLF.

    Among the highlights:

    • → Our Networking Session brought together researchers, clinicians, and project partners to exchange on cutting-edge data – including biomarker discovery and single-cell sequencing.
    • → The Investigator Meeting reaffirmed our shared commitment to advancing recruitment and bringing both the COMBAT and PROSPECT studies toward completion.
    • → Many poster presentations!

    We’re deeply grateful to everyone who engaged with us, supported our sessions, or simply stopped by to learn more about our work. Events like EASL remind us how vital community is to scientific progress.

  • 5 January 2025

    We’re on Bluesky!

    Exciting news! DECISION has officially joined the social media platform Bluesky, a fresh and dynamic space for connecting and sharing research results.

    By expanding our digital presence, we aim to reach more individuals passionate about hepatology and cutting-edge research in decompensated cirrhosis. Whether you’re a researcher, patient advocate, or simply curious about our work, Bluesky offers a new way to stay informed and engaged.

    Follow us @decision4liver.bsky.social or https://bsky.app/profile/pancaid.bsky.social for updates, insights, and conversations about how we’re advancing this research field.

    Not on Bluesky? You can also connect with us on LinkedIn, or Twitter / X.

  • 19 December 2024

    Happy Holidays from DECISION!

    As this year comes to an end, we take a moment to reflect on the progress made by the DECISION consortium in 2024. Thanks to the dedication of our teams and collaborators, we’ve reached important milestones that advance our mission to improve the understanding and treatment of liver diseases.

    Some of the highlights of this year include:

    📄 Key Publications

    Two important subprojects of DECISION were published this year:

    💡 Progress in the COMBAT Trial

    This year also marked the inclusion of the first patient in the COMBAT trial. This multicenter Phase II study aims to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of a combinatorial therapy using human albumin and enoxaparin alongside standard medical care.

    To all our collaborators, partners, and supporters—thank you for being an integral part of DECISION’s journey. Wishing you a joyous holiday season and a successful year ahead!

  • 21 October 2024

    This was our 6th General Assembly Meeting

    The DECISION project held its 6th General Assembly from October 16–18, 2024, in Bologna, Italy, focusing on novel therapies, biomarker validation, and clinical translation for acutely decompensated cirrhosis.

    Scientific Highlights:

    • Epigenetics and Transcriptomics: Estefania Huergo presented on epigenetic signatures, while Richard Moreau highlighted RNA-sequencing data, both offering insights into predicting adverse outcomes and mortality risks.
    • Biomarker Discovery: Johanna Reissing and Cristina López-Vicario identified potential biomarkers like microRNAs and inflammatory proteins linked to disease progression and ACLF risk. Pierre-Emmanuel Rautou discussed extracellular vesicles and their correlation with mortality.
    • Preclinical Models: Frank Uschner showcased progress in preclinical models testing combinatorial therapies like albumin and enoxaparin for ACLF.
    • Patient Stratification: David Gomez-Cabrero reported advancements in predicting outcomes using multi-omics data.
    • Clinical Trials: Paolo Caraceni outlined the COMBAT trial, assessing a combinatorial therapy, and the PROSPECT study focusing on biomarker validation and survival prediction.

    Outreach and Impact: Tamara Berghammer emphasized dissemination efforts through a dedicated website, social media, and conference participation, ensuring the project’s influence and visibility.

    The assembly concluded with a summary of progress in identifying new therapeutic strategies for liver disease, underscoring the consortium’s dedication to translating research into clinical practice.

    Article is adapted from the EF-CLIF‘s news piece here.

  • 16 October 2024

    New MASH-cirrhosis animal models

    📢 We are excited to share our latest publication from DECISION members, where we developed a fast and reproducible animal model of advanced MASH-cirrhosis in rats. By using a combination of CCl4, a high-fat Western diet (WD), and phenobarbital (PB), we’ve been able to mimic the key histological and pathophysiological features of decompensated MASH-cirrhosis seen in humans.

    🔬 In just a shorter timeframe compared to existing models, this approach accurately reflects the advanced stage of the disease, making it an excellent tool for the development of new pharmacological treatments for MASH-cirrhosis.

    For more details, read the full paper here:
    🔓 https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/13/20/1707

    Congrats to first authors Nico Kraus and Frank Erhard Uschner, as well as all contributing authors: Magnus Möslein, Robert Schierwagen, Wenyi Gu, Maximilian Brol, Elke Fürst, Inga Grünewald, Sophie Lotersztajn, Pierre-Emmanuel Rautou, Marta Duran Güell, PhD, Roger Flores Costa, Joan Claria, Jonel Trebicka, and Sabine Klein!

  • 9 July 2024

    Press release: COMBAT Trial – First patient enrolled

    Barcelona, Spain, 9th July 2024 – DECISION, an EU-funded research consortium in liver disease research, is pleased to announce the enrollment of the first patient at Hôpital Beaujon, Clichy, France in the COMBAT Trial, a multicenter, randomized, open-label, Phase II clinical trial. This trial is a crucial component of the DECISION project, which aims to transform the treatment of decompensated cirrhosis and acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF).

    More information in our Press release.
    Watch this video for more information on the COMBAT Trial, a lecture by Prof. Paolo Caraceni, Principal Investigator of the COMBAT Trial.

  • 2 July 2024

    Liver International special edition on ACLF and AD: Sneak Peek #6

    We’re continuing our series: Some partners of DECISION are currently preparing a special edition in Liver International on acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) and acute decompensation (AD) of cirrhosis! ✨
    As a sneak peek, we are excited to share some of the reviews and articles that will be cited in this special edition! (read reviews #1, #2, #3, #4, and #5 here)

    The sixth review is:
    Shantha R. Valainathan, Qing Xie, Vicente Arroyo, Pierre-Emmanuel Rautou: Prognosis algorithms for acute decompensation of cirrhosis and ACLF. Liver Int 2024.

    🔓https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/liv.15927

    🔑 Key points

    • CLIF-C AD score is a score developed and validated for patients with acute decompensation of cirrhosis without ACLF.
    • For patients with ACLF, three different scoring system are widely used, namely the CLIF-C ACLF score, the AARC score and the NACSELD score.
    • Predictive value of currently available scores can still be improved.
    • Multiomics analyses may help develop novel tools to improve prediction of patients outcome.
  • 27 June 2024

    ClustALL published!

    Stratification unveils unique patient subgroups in acutely decompensated cirrhosis.

    Exciting news! Sara Palomino Echeverría et al. just published their work on ClustALL, a robust clustering strategy for stratification unveils unique patient subgroups in acutely decompensated cirrhosis.
    Published in the renowned Journal of Translational Medicine. ✨

    Open access via 🔓 https://translational-medicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12967-024-05386-2

    Use the ClustAll web tool here: https://decision-for-liver.eu/for-scientists/clustall-web-application/

  • 25 June 2024

    Liver International special edition on ACLF and AD: Sneak Peek #5

    We’re continuing our series: Some partners of DECISION are currently preparing a special edition in Liver International on acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) and acute decompensation (AD) of cirrhosis! ✨
    As a sneak peek, we are excited to share some of the reviews and articles that will be cited in this special edition! (read reviews #1, #2, #3, and #4 here)

    The fifth review is:
    Peter Lemmer, Jan-Peter Sowa, Yesim Bulut, Pavel Strnad, Ali Canbay: Mechanisms and aetiology-dependent treatment of acute liver failure. Liver Int 2023.

    🔓https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/liv.15739

    🔑 Key points

    • Acute liver failure (ALF) has a high mortality of about 30% and can quickly lead to death despite maximum therapeutic intervention.
    • On a cellular level, ALF is characterized by massive hepatocyte death due to different types of cellular demise.
    • In the past decades, there has been a shift concerning the predominant etiologies, with drug-induced liver injury as the most common cause in the Western World today.
    • Therapy of ALF comprises intensive care medicine, aetiology-specific therapies, and in cases where ALF is irreversible. emergency liver transplantation (ELT).
    • ELT as therapeutic option is strongly limited by organ shortage.
  • 18 June 2024

    Liver International special edition on ACLF and AD: Sneak Peek #4

    We’re continuing our series: Some partners of DECISION are currently preparing a special edition in Liver International on acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) and acute decompensation (AD) of cirrhosis! ✨
    As a sneak peek, we are excited to share some of the reviews and articles that will be cited in this special edition! (read reviews #1, #2, and #3 here)

    The fourth review is:
    Salvatore Piano, Nadim Mahmud, Paolo Caraceni, Marta Tonon, Rajeshwar Prosad Mookerjee: Mechanisms and treatment approaches for ACLF. Liver Int 2023

    🔓https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/liv.15733

    🔑 Key points

    • ACLF is a life-threatening syndrome characterized by severe systemic inflammation, acute decompensation of cirrhosis and organ failures.
    • ACLF is often precipitated by intrahepatic or extrahepatic insults, such as infections, alcohol-related hepatitis or HBV flare.
    • The severe systemic inflammation, circulatory dysfunction, metabolic alterations and competition for energetic substrates contribute to the occurrence of organ failures.
    • Current management options for ACLF include: early identification and treatment of precipitants, support of each one of the organ failures and rapid assessment for the liver transplantation.
  • 11 June 2024

    Liver International special edition on ACLF and AD: Sneak Peek #3

    We’re continuing our series: Some partners of DECISION are currently preparing a special edition in Liver International on acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) and acute decompensation (AD) of cirrhosis! ✨
    As a sneak peek, we are excited to share some of the reviews and articles that will be cited in this special edition! (read reviews #1 and #2 here)

    The third review is:
    Ruben Hernaez, Hai Li, Richard Moreau, Minneke J. Coenraad: Definition, diagnosis and epidemiology of acute-on-chronic liver failure. Liver Int 2023

    🔓https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/liv.15670

    🔑 Key points

    • Acute-on-chronic liver failure is a highly prevalent condition with high short-term mortality.
    • The presence of cirrhosis sets apart the East and the West definitions.
    • Liver failure is the organ with the highest variability in the ACLF definition.
    • Each definition can be used clinically but depends on the aim of the study.
  • 28 May 2024

    Liver International special edition on ACLF and AD: Sneak Peek #2

    We’re continuing last week’s series: Some partners of DECISION are currently preparing a special edition in Liver International on acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) and acute decompensation (AD) of cirrhosis! ✨
    As a sneak peek, we are excited to share some of the reviews and articles that will be cited in this special edition!

    The second review is:
    Constantine (Dean) Karvellas, Thierry Gustot, Javier Fernandez: Management of the acute on chronic liver failure in the intensive care unit. Liver Int 2023

    🔓https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/liv.15659

    🔑 Key points

    • Early appropriate antimicrobial therapy improves outcomes in patients with acute on chronic liver failure.
    • In patients with circulatory failure, dynamic tools such as bedside echocardiography are recommended. Balanced crystalloid should be considered first line as resuscitation fluid.
    • Goals of resuscitation should be a MAP >65 with normalization of lactate. Norepinephrine is considered first line as a vasoconstricting agent.
    • Incorporate a lung-protective strategy in mechanically ventilated patients with ACLF while considering both liver and non-liver-related causes of acute lung injury.
    • Vasoconstricting agents (i.e. terlipressin) are associated with reversal of HRS-AKI with ACLF responders to vasoconstrictors having better short-term outcomes.
    • Consider organ failure prognostic scores (i.e. CLIF-C ACLF) when determining prognosis.
    • Early liver transplantation improves survival in patients with severe ACLF.
  • 21 May 2024

    Liver International special edition on ACLF and AD: Sneak Peek #1

    We have some hot news to share: Some partners of DECISION are currently preparing a special edition in Liver International on acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) and acute decompensation (AD) of cirrhosis! ✨
    As a sneak peek, we are excited to share some of the reviews and articles that will be cited in this special edition!

    Let’s dive right into the first review:

    Engelmann C, Zhang IW, Claria J.: Mechanisms of immunity in acutely decompensated cirrhosis and acute-on-chronic liver failure. Liver Int 2023.

    🔓 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/liv.15644

    🔑 Key Points

    • Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is characterized by hepatic and extrahepatic organ failure and high mortality.
    • Organ failure and mortality are closely associated with asystemic hyperinflammatory response.
    • In ACLF patients, systemic inflammation coexists with persistent immunodeficiency that increases the risk of secondary infections.
    • Novel therapies targeting immunosuppression and the hyperactivation of the immune system are currently under consideration.

  • 1 March 2024

    New review: Acute and non-acute decompensation of liver cirrhosis

    New research challenges the current view of decompensated cirrhosis. Acute and Non-Acute Decompensation pathways offer nuanced perspectives. This review by Martin Schulz, Paolo Angeli and Jonel Trebicka (WWU) explores these insights, guiding future clinical approaches.

  • 27 February 2024

    Masterclass: Health economic studies in liver diseases by Professor Isabelle Durand-Zaleski

    Health economics – a topic quite far from most people’s everyday preoccupations and concerns. But it needn’t be! Discover answers to questions like: What do health economics and shopping for a hoodie have in common? How do you calculate QALYs? Why are drug prices so high and when is a treatment “too expensive”?

    Understanding how policy makers utilize health economic studies is not only interesting for healthcare professionals, but also for citizens.

    Watch the masterclass on health economic studies in liver diseases by Professor Isabelle Durand-Zaleski, from partner AP-HP:

  • 17. January 2024

    DECISION project video

    We are thrilled to announce the release of our latest video, which dives into the details of the DECISION project – a European research consortium, aiming to enhance our understanding of decompensated cirrhosis and acute-on-chronic liver failure at a systems level. 🎥

    Join in, as project partners discuss their roles within the project and emphasise the importancesignificance of collaboration in advancing scientific research. Learn more about the upcoming clinical trial and the role and representation of patients within DECISION.

    🔍 Watch the full video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/RelITLtg2w8

  • 15 January 2024

    Join discussions of DECISION experts

    We are thrilled to invite industry stakeholders to be part of our research journey. You now have the opportunity to attend DECISION meetings, where experts of our research program discuss the latest advancements before they reach scientific publications.

    By joining these discussions, you gain early access to cutting-edge research in the field of acute decompensation of cirrhosis and ACLF. We believe in collaboration and welcome your involvement.

    In exchange for valuable insights, we are open to exploring customized solutions that align with your objectives. Your support will play a crucial role in advancing our research goals.

    To secure your spot and discuss tailored opportunities, reach out to us at info[at]decision-for-liver[dot]eu.

    Thank you for considering this collaboration. We look forward to welcoming you to our upcoming sessions.

  • 12. December 2023

    Keynote Lecture: Natural History of Decompensation by Prof. Paolo Angeli

    Immerse yourself in the natural history of decompensation with Prof. Dr. Paolo Angeli, Chief of Internal Medicine and Hepatology at University of Padova.

    Discover insights into pathophysiology, the EASL-Clif consortium’s new definition of decompensation, and scientific evidence for preventing acute decompensation and ACLF, and much more on acute and non-acute decompensation!

    ▶ https://youtu.be/4ZEdrPGZCQI

  • 24. November 2023

    Decompensated Cirrhosis

    In 2013, cirrhosis claimed 1.2 million lives globally, with an additional 750,000 liver cancer deaths linked to cirrhosis. Decompensation, marked by severe symptoms, is a critical turning point.

    Key Facts:

    • Compensated cirrhosis life expectancy: 10-13 years; Decompensation: 2 years.
    • Within 1-3 months of decompensation, acute-on-chronic liver failure risk is 11% at day 28, death risk is 5% at day 28, and 14% at day 90.

    Treatment Challenges:

    • Available treatments include antibiotics, antivirals, diuretics, and more.
    • Variable patient response attributed to clinical diversity and overlooked pathophysiological factors.

    This clinical heterogeneity calls for novel and personalised combinatorial therapies according to underlying mechanisms based on each patient’s genetics, gender, disease history, and physiology.

  • 11. August 2023

    DECISION Summer reading

    Here are our picks of recent liver research. With contribution by DECISION members:

    1️⃣ Assessment of portal hypertension severity using machine learning models in patients with compensated cirrhosis by Jiří Reiniš, Oleksandr Petrenko et al. in Journal of Hepatology

    https://www.journal-of-hepatology.eu/article/S0168-8278(22)03119-1/fulltext

    2️⃣ Essential role for #albumin in preserving liver cells from TNFα-induced mitochondrial injury by Marta Duran-Güell, Glória Garrabou, Roger Flores-Costa, et al. in FASEB.

    https://faseb.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1096/fj.202201526R

    3️⃣ Management of splanchnic vein thrombosis by Laure Elkrief, Audrey Payancé, et al. in JHEP Reports.

    https://www.jhep-reports.eu/article/S2589-5559(22)00239-7/fulltext

    Want more scientific reading? ➡ Check out our publications page!

  • World Hepatitis Day – How DECISION ties in

    Each year, 28th July marks World Hepatitis Day – a day to raise awareness of viral hepatitis.

    Hepatitis C is a viral infection that leads to liver inflammation, caused by the hepatitis C virus.

    According to the World Health Organization (WHO)[1], approximately 15 to 45% of individuals infected with the Hepatitis C virus spontaneously recover within six months of infection without requiring any treatment. Conversely, the remaining 55 to 85% will progress to develop a chronic HCV infection. Within a span of 20 years, around a quarter of those affected by HCV (15 to 30%) will develop cirrhosis, a condition characterized by permanent scarring of the liver.

    Cirrhosis can be classified into two stages. The first stage is known as compensated cirrhosis, which indicates that the body is still able to function to some extent despite the presence of reduced liver function and scarring. On the other hand, decompensated cirrhosis represents a more advanced stage where liver functions are deteriorating. In this stage, serious symptoms can arise, such as, jaundice, and kidney failure ascites[2].

    DECISION strives to better understand the pathophysiology of decompensated cirrhosis leading to acute-on-chronic liver failure. The ultimate goal is to significantly reduce mortality through combinatorial therapies that are tailored to the specific needs of individual patients.

    [1] https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-c

    [2] https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-37591-7.00021-5

  • 2023-06-24

    EASL Clinical Practice Guidelines on acute-on-chronic liver failure published!

    We’re especially excited as many DECISION partners are main contributors and the chair is Richard Moreau [INSERM]. New knowledge from DECISION has also been considered.

    The objective of the present Clinical Practice Guidelines is to provide recommendations to help clinicians recognise ACLF, make triage decisions (ICU vs. no ICU), identify and manage acute precipitants, identify organ systems that require support or replacement, define potential criteria for futility of intensive care, and identify potential indications for liver transplantation.

    View the Clinical Practice Guideline document!

  • Shared networking event at EASL Congress

    Join our shared networking and results presentation session with MICROB-PREDICT on Wednesday, 21st June at 13:30 – 14:30 at EASL | The Home of Hepatology’s EASL Congress.
    In a shared session, Pierre-Emmanuel Rautou, DECISION coordinator and Jonel Trebicka, MICROB-PREDICT coordinator will moderate flash-talks of the projects’ results, given by DECISION scientists Frank Erhard Uschner, Sara Palomino Echeverría and Estefanía Huergo Iglesias, as well as MICROB-PREDICT researchers Dávid Tornai, Wenyi Gu and Lindsey Ann Edwards.

    📅Wednesday, 21st June, 2023; 13:30 – 14:30
    📍Cirrhosis & Complications Track Hub

  • 12.05.2023

    DECISION in EASL Studio

    DECISION members Pierre-Emmanuel Rautou and Paolo Caraceni have recently participated in two EASL Studio sessions, a weekly broadcast on news in hepatology and related fields.

    Listen to Pierre-Emmanuel Rautou, coordinator of DECISION, in the EASL Studio Season 4, Episode 14 – EASL-EF CLIF and EU Grants: exploring novel mechanism and treatment of chronic liver failure

    Additionally, tune in to Paolo Caraceni of UNIBO, contributing to Season 4, Episode 17 – Albumin in Cirrhosis: For All, For Some, For None.

  • 17 March 2023

    Watch the recording of the patient event on 6th March 2023

    The event ‘The COMBAT-trial: A novel COMBinATorial therapy with albumin and enoxaparin in patients with decompensated cirrhosis at high-risk of poor outcome.’ is now available on YouTube.

    Tune in as experts from DECISION explain the upcoming clinical trial or discuss the recruitment process.

    Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zS3-QKd9Nlg

  • 26 January 2023

    New Masterclass Video of Agustín Albillos

    In this new Masterclass video on YouTube, DECISION consortium member Prof. Dr. Agustín Albillos Martínez (SERMAS) provides an overview of the effects of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) in cirrhosis, including the mode of action of anti-coagulants, followed by the pathophysiological basis for the long-term use of anticoagulation in cirrhosis as well as the experience with anticoagulants in the clinic. The masterclass took place in the realm of the 4th General Assembly (GA) Meeting on 19th October 2023 in Madrid, Spain, as part of DECISION’s training programme for the project’s early-career scientists (ECS). View all Masterclass videos here.

  • 9 December 2022

    Study protocol of the COMBAT-TRIAL agreed

    After more than one year of intense discussions and exchange on the most promising combination of drugs to be tested in the COMBAT-Trial of DECISION, led by Prof. Paolo Caraceni from Bologna, we are happy to report that the study protocol was finalised. Next steps are the submission to CTIS and regulatory boards and preparation of recruitment. Stay tuned for updates on the trial!

  • 25 October 2022

    Opening of the 2022/2023 academic year of the Master in Bioethics and Law: Practical lecture on bioethical aspects in biomedical research projects funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 programme, taught by Itziar de Lecuona

    The opening of the 2022/2023 academic year of the University of Barcelona’s Master in Bioethics and Law will take place on October 25, 2022.

    Dr. Itziar de Lecuona, associate professor of the Department of Medicine, director of the Bioethics and Law Observatory and co-director of the Master in Bioethics and Law at the University of Barcelona, will give a practical lecture on bioethical aspects in biomedical research projects funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 programme.

    This session will be held exclusively for new students of the Master in Bioethics and Law, and for researchers and doctoral students from the Bioethics and Law Observatory.

    It will allow the attendees to identify which contributions they could provide from bioethics, based on their profile and knowledge, in the different phases of the project, within the framework of the respective Work Packages on “Ethics, Health and Socioeconomics”. It will intend to train and improve their skills in bioethics in the field of research ethics, scientific integrity and responsible research and innovation.

    More information.

  • 21 October 2022

    Free access to EASL educational tools for our early career scientists

    We are grateful about a great opportunity for all DECISION early-career scientists (ECS) to benefit from EASL’s extensive educational tools and our Young Investigators (YI) community.EASL campus is currently open access for those individuals with a MyEASL account. In the coming months, some of the content will be restricted to EASL Members. Therefore, EASL invites the project’s ECS to create a MyEASL account and request a complimentary membership. Do not hesitate to reach out to the PMO if you have any questions and more information here.

  • 14 October 2022

    Publication of the infographic based on the document “Guidelines for reviewing health research and innovation projects that use emergent technologies and personal data”!

    The infographic based on the document “Guidelines for reviewing health research and innovation projects that use emergent technologies and personal data”, published by the Bioethics and Law Observatory – UNESCO Chair in Bioethics of the University of Barcelona and coordinated by Dr. Itziar de Lecuona, was presented within the framework of the seminar “Artificial intelligence and data protection in health research and innovation: ethical, legal and social aspects”, on September 21, 2022.

    Dr. Itziar de Lecuona, associate professor of the Department of Medicine, director of the Bioethics and Law Observatory and co-director of the Master in Bioethics and Law at the University of Barcelona, showed the infographic, which synthesizes and highlights the essential points developed in the document, during her lecture “Research ethics committees and data protection in the evaluation of emerging technologies in health research and innovation”.

    In this way, the infographic exposes, in a visual and concise way, what Research Ethics Committees (RECs) are, their functions, and the dilemmas that health research and innovation projects raise, especially in a scenario where emerging technologies and the exploitation of personal data play a leading role.

    The infographic presents the challenges that Research Ethics Committees (RECs) must face (avoid the Europe’s excessive dependence on the American tech companies, update the obsolete protocols for obtaining informed consent, etc.); and lists a series of recommendations so that RECs can perform their functions correctly and efficiently, with the support of both research and innovation centres and legislators, to guarantee the protection of the rights of individuals in projects that use emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, big data, biometrics, and/or virtual reality.

  • 30 September 2022

    Checklist for participants to assure informed consent / other mechanisms for those unable to give a written consent

    Use our new checklist to assure informed consent for medical research! It facilitates compliance with legal and ethical guidelines related to research involving humans, use of biological samples, and/or personal data.  Read more.

  • 23 September 2022

    Watch our mini-video series from #ILC2022

    Following the patients’ interest in DECISION, we tried something new during the International Liver Congress (ILC) in London in June 2022, namely recording several video interviews by representatives of the European Liver Patients’ Association (ELPA) with our scientific coordinator Prof. Dr. Pierre-Emmanuel Rautou. And because we were on a roll, the new concentris team member Dennis Cleff also interviewed Prof. Dr. Sara Montagnese (UNIPD) about the symptoms of decompensated cirrhosis via Zoom shortly thereafter. Watch all videos here.

  • 21 September 2022

    Bioethics and Law Observatory organises an online seminar

    On September 21, 2022, the Bioethics and Law Observatory (OBD) -UNESCO Chair in Bioethics and the Spanish Data Protection Agency (AEPD) jointly organize the seminar “Inteligencia artificial y protección de datos en investigación e innovación en salud: aspectos éticos, legales y sociales”(“Artificial intelligence and data protection in health research and innovation: ethical, legal and social aspects”).

    This seminar is part of an agreement between the Bioethics and Law Observatory (OBD) and the Spanish Data Protection Agency.

    This event is free and open for anyone, but please note that it will be held in Spanish. For more information click here, find here the program.

  • 14 January 2022

    Liver seminar about extracellular vesicles in cirrhosis

    Watch the latest liver seminar of DECISION coordinator, Prof. Pierre-Emmanuel Rautou, of January, 14th 2022 and learn more about extracellular vesicles in cirrhosis.

    Liver Seminars – January 14th 2022 – YouTube

  • 13 January 2022

    Jonel Trebicka’s Masterclass now on YouTube

    Watch our newest Masterclass by DECISION consortium member Prof. Dr. Jonel Trebicka who also serves as the coordinator of the topically related Horizon 2020 project MICROB-PREDICT. He provides a step-by-step guide on how to write a high-quality scientific paper. Besides fun examples of what to do and not to do, his advice includes reducing complexity, focussing on key results, displaying the distribution of data points, as well as avoiding lengthy introductions, poetic language, or complicated sentences.

  • 14 December 2021

    Paolo Angeli’s Masterclass now on YouTube

    In this Masterclass, invited speaker Prof. Dr. Paolo Angeli, the current editor-in-chief of the Journal of Hepatology, teaches his approach to write a good scientific paper and submit it to the appropriate journal, a process that he compares to the challenge of winning a soccer game. While focussing on concrete advice, he also points out several common mistakes that less experienced authors make, some of which can be easily avoided. How? Watch the video!

  • 29 November 2021

    Submission of first periodic report to European Commission

    Today, the DECISION Consortium submitted the first periodic report to the European Commission. Over a period of more than two months all partners worked hard to report work performed, results and efforts. The PMO thanks all involved people for their great collaboration and diligent work.

  • 03 November 2021

    Theresa Wirtz appointed as new chair of the Early Career Scientists group

    We congratulate Theresa Wirtz from University of Aachen for having been appointed as new chair of the DECISION Early Career Scientists group. She takes this important position over from her predecessor Frank Uschner (GUF) who was the chair in the first year of the project.

    Thanks to Frank for his efforts to coordinate the training activities during the 1st year which included amongst other things the organisation of the 1st masterclass!

  • 27 - 30 October 2021

    BavenoVII Consensus Workshop sponsored by DECISION

    DECISION supports this year`s BavenoVII Consensus Workshop. Baveno Workshops have been held every 5 years from 1990 till today. Each time, important advances have been made in understanding the pathophysiology of portal hypertension, as well as in developing new treatments and new strategies for the management of advanced cirrhosis and portal hypertension. See programme.

  • 09 September 2021

    DECISION Poster Award

    Congratulations to Dr Cristina López-Vicario (Researcher, Fundació Clínic per la Recerca Biomèdica) for winning the first prize of the DECISION Poster Award.

    A total of 8 posters were shown during this year’s poster session at the General Assembly Meeting, on 9th September 2021 in Barcelona/Spain.

    For further information, click here.

  • 19 August 2021

    DECISION: Cirrhosis – Overview of existing therapies, drugs & research needs, Pierre-Emmanuel Rautou

    In this video, the project’s scientific coordinator, Prof. Pierre-Emmanuel Rautou, explains the complications that can occur in cirrhosis patients and how the DECISION project aims to better stratify patients that come to the clinic with acute decompensation (of cirrhosis). The goal is to personalise the treatment of individual patients based on tests that can predict the expected treatment outcome. The video is a recording of the 1st presentation given at an online patient event that was jointly organised by ELPA and EF CLIF and took place on 9th June 2021.

    Watch video on YouTube
  • 09 June 2021

    Successful patient event on 9th June

    27 representatives of national patient organisations from 10 European countries listened to talks about therapies for cirrhosis and ACLF, research needs and outlook for the future. A lot of interest was shown towards available and new therapies for decompensated cirrhosis and ACLF. The event was organised by ELPA (president Marko Korenjak) and chaired by Prof. Rajiv Jalan, scientific director of EF CLIF.

  • 24 June 2021

    ILC 2021: Symposium „Old and new treatments for patients with advanced cirrhosis”

    Very successful symposium on Thursday, 24th June 2021 from 14-15h CEST organised by members of DECISION in the frame of the virtual ILC congress. Topics included:

    Why and how to modulate the microbiome: example from MICROB-PREDICT study (Shawcross)

    Old drugs for novel treatment strategies (Posé)

    Human albumin: from established indications to novel perspectives (Caraceni)

    System medicine: is it the right track to personalized treatments: example from DECISION study? (Trebicka)

  • 15 April 2021

    DECISION Steering Committee Meeting

    From 14th – 15th April, the DECISION Steering Committee met again fully virtual. 20 participants exchanged information about progress and results. Great achievement: all ACLARA samples, which are relevant for the work of DECISION, now reached the partner labs. Now the work on these samples can start and we cannot wait to see results.

  • 02 March 2021

    Pierre-Emmanuel Rautou is being interviewed by “Science et Vie”

    In its March issue, the French journal for laymen on science “Science et Vie” interviewed DECISION coordinator Pierre-Emmanuel Rautou on the topic of multi-omics and the acceleration of biomedicine. By decoding the hidden information at the heart of our cells, multi-omics is revolutionising many areas of research. Click below to read further [Articles in French]:

    DANS LE SECRET – DES CELLULES LA MULTIO MIQUE (PDF)

    UNE FORMIDABLE ACCÉLÉRATION DE LA BIOMÉDECINE (PDF)

  • 25 November 2020

    Successful virtual General Assembly Meeting

    On 24-25 Nov 2020, 51 members of the DECISION consortium and 4 members of the Scientific and Ethical Advisory Board met online to discuss the progress made during the first 8 months and important next steps. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the project is largely on track and important first results have been delivered. Still we all cannot wait to meet in person next time to speed up the communication and international collaboration!

  • 10 September 2020

    Codes of conduct applicable and research integrity policy including publications in journals published

    This document is an analysis of the current codes of good conduct published by each member of the DECISION project: Here, we discuss what is included in the DECISION partners’ code of conduct, any references to national or international guidelines, how easily accessible the relevant information is from the home page and the general usefulness of the document for the members of the institutions themselves and the public.

    Read More
  • 31 August 2020

    Public engagement strategy to design DECISION along with the need of patients finalized

    The goal of this policy is to provide a framework of public engagement in research in DECISION to align this project with the Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) framework.

    Read More
  • 27 August 2020

    Prof. Dr. Paolo Caraceni from UNIBO, Italy, explains the clinical trial of DECISION

    In this video, Prof. Dr. Paolo Caraceni explains the clinical trial, the predictive and response tests, the project’s approach to best-possible patient stratification, and the expected beneficial outcome of DECISION.

    View video on YouTube
  • 28 July 2020

    DECISION in less than 5 minutes: Prof. Pierre-Emmanuel Rautou explains the project in a brief video

    Take a few minutes to listen to Prof. Pierre-Emmanuel Rautou, the scientific coordinator of DECISION, explain and show to you what the project is all about.

    Watch video on YouTube
  • 27 July 2020

    First Patient Event on 31st Aug 2020!

    SAVE THE DATE: We kindly invite you to the 1st DECISION and ELPA patient event. Our first patient event takes place ONLINE on Monday, August 31st, from 16-17h at Central European Standard Time (CEST). For questions and registration, please contact office@elpa.eu.

    View announcement and programme
  • 27 July 2020

    Important milestones achieved!

    We are happy to report that all ethics approvals for data transfers have been received and 5348 samples from PREDICT and 400 from CANONIC have been sent for analysis to all participating labs. Congratulations WP1 team!

  • 22 July 2020

    ELPA president Marko Korenjak introduces DECISION from the perspective of cirrhosis patients in this video

    In this 3-min-long video, Marko Korenjak, the current president of the European Liver Patients Association (ELPA), who is also a key project partner, introduces the scope and aims of the DECISION project.

    Watch video on YouTube
  • 19 July 2020

    Interleukin-22 in acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF): A matter of ineffective levels, receptor dysregulation, or defective signalling?

    Read the new article by Schwarzkopf et al. published in J Hep on 19 July 2020. This work addresses one of the new models used in DECISION: The authors analysed the effects of interleukin 22 (IL-22) in a mouse model of ACLF after chronic carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-treatment (0.2 ml/kg, 2 times per week, i.p.) and acute precipitating injury using 2 injections of 0.4 ml/kg CCl4 in combination with an i.p. challenge with Klebsiella pneumonia, mimicking a bacterial infection.

    Read original article
  • 13 July 2020

    The PREDICT study uncovers three clinical courses in acutely decompensated cirrhosis with distinct pathophysiology

    To access the full article published on 13 July 2020 by Trebicka et al., click on the link below.

    Read original article
  • 26 May 2020

    The DECISION consortium elects members of the Impact Board

    Today, we announce the members of the DECISION Impact Board (IB): Pierre-Emmanuel Rautou, Narsis Kiani, Marko Korenjak, Richard Moreau, Jonel Trebicka, Frank Uschner. The IB is chaired by Christian Trautwein.

    View all our advisory boards
  • 13 May 2020

    Project management talk on YouTube

    DECISION’s project manager, Dr. Mary Gazea describes the most critical aspects of the project’s governance structure and the financial issues in a confidential YouTube video. All consortium members are highly encouraged to log into the intranet (KEYWAYS) and watch her presentation. It contains very valuable information to navigate successfully through the coming project years!

  • 01 April 2020

    DECISION kicks off!

    Not an April Fool’s joke – Today, the 5.5-year long, pan-European research project begins. We are very excited to roll up our sleeves and start working!

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