Research | Gastroenterology and Hepatology | Department of Internal Medicine | UC Davis Health

The UC Davis Health Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology is one of the West Coast’s premier research institutions for diseases of the liver and gastrointestinal tract. Our research program is truly translational, with programs that reach from bench to bedside. We offer a multitude of clinical trials and observational studies to further our understanding of disease, help discover new treatments, and provide cutting-edge care for our patients. Funding for our research is provided by the National Institute for Health (NIH), the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pharmaceutical industry partners, and UC Davis Health.

Some of our current research projects include investigating:

• Basic molecular pathways of fibrosis, particularly in the setting of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
• Impact of prenatal diet on clinical severity of Wilson disease and its implications on NASH and alcoholic liver disease
• Genetic and immunologic basis of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)
• Development of novel imaging technologies to diagnose NASH non-invasively
• Use of technology to better manage ascites and other complications of cirrhosis
• Effects of community engagement, patient education and physician-based interventions to improve hepatitis B testing among Asian Americans

The clinical trials unit within the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology has been a national leader in liver disease clinical trials over the past decade. We offer patients access to all phases of clinical trials in addition to a wide range of observational studies and patient registries.

Of note, our division has:

• Participated in nearly all clinical trials leading to the revolutionary new all-oral hepatitis C therapies
• Completed the first clinical trial in Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) with a biologic medication (rituximab)
• Been a leading enrollment site for the POISE study which led to FDA-approval of obeticholic acid for PBC.

Our research staff coordinates with patients and referring physician offices to ensure continuity of care and communication while patients are enrolled in clinical trials. Costs associated with participation are covered by the clinical trials and in many cases time and travel are reimbursable.

What clinical trials are available at UC Davis?

Clinicaltrials.gov maintains a registry of all active clinical trials in the U.S. UC Davis currently offers clinical trials for the following liver diseases: