Due to the obesity and co-epidemic of type 2 diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease in our country, affecting one in fourth Canadians. NAFLD is an accumulation of fat in the liver. NAFLD can evolve to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the most severe form of NAFLD, leading to cirrhosis and need for liver transplant. NASH is nowadays the second leading indication to liver transplant in Canada, and is projected to become the main one within 10 years. The Canadian NASH (CanNASH) Network is an international research group of academic and clinical units aiming to improve knowledge on the frequency, diagnosis and physiopathology of NASH and its complications. The theme of the 1^st International Workshop of the CanNASH Network will focus on discussing current knowledge about priority areas of research, including: 1. The frequency and risk factors of NASH in Canada; 2. Non-invasive biomarkers to diagnose NASH without the need for the invasive liver biopsy; 3. Possible ways to treat NASH. This workshop addresses and contributes to the strategic research priorities of the CIHR Institute of Nutrition, Diabetes and Metabolism by aligning with all its three strategic priorities and contributes to the strategic plan 2015-2020 in the areas of biomedical/clinical and population health (prevention) research. This workshop will promote knowledge exchange among international key opinion leaders in the field and Canadian researchers and knowledge dissemination to practitioners and affected patients. It will contribute to effective partnerships and outstanding research at national and global levels and put Canada at the forefront of the growing global concern around NASH.

Schedule in EST

Thursday, April 8, 2021

11h00 – 11h10 Introduction and Welcome

Giada Sebastiani, MUHC-McGill University Health Centre (Conference Chair, CanNASH Steering Committee)

Jordan Feld, UHN-University of Toronto (CASL President)

11h10 – 11h40 Opening Lecture

Overview of the problem: causes of lipotoxic liver injury and the burden of disease

Brent Tetri, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO - CanMEDS Roles: Medical Expert

SESSION 1 - 11h40 – 13h30 - Pathophysiology and Complications

Chair: Peter Metrakos, MUHC-McGill University Health Center

11h40 – 12h10 Mechanisms of fibrogenesis in NAFLD

Massimo Pinzani, University College of London, UK - CanMEDS Roles: Medical Expert

12h10 – 12h40 NASH as a multiorgan disease

Salvatore Petta, University of Palermo, Italy - CanMEDS Roles: Medical Expert

12h40 – 13h10 HCC and complications of portal hypertension in NAFLD

Annalisa Berzigotti, University of Bern, Switzerland - CanMEDS Roles: Medical Expert

13h10 – 13h30 Q&A

13h30 – 14h00 Coffee Break / Virtual Exhibit Booths Visit

SESSION 2 - 14h00 – 16h40 - Diagnostics and Biomarkers

Chair: Naglaa Shoukry, Université de Montréal

14h00 – 14h30 Liver biopsy and histology in NAFLD

Elizabeth M. Brunt, Washington School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO - CanMEDS Roles: Medical Expert, Scholar

14h30 – 15h00 Update on serum biomarkers for the diagnosis of NASH/advanced fibrosis

Keyur Patel, University of Toronto - CanMEDS Roles: Medical Expert, Scholar

15h00 – 15h20 US-Elastography for NAFLD

Mark Swain, University of Calgary - CanMEDS Roles: Medical Expert

15h20 – 15h40 MR-Imaging for NAFLD

An Tang, Université de Montréal - CanMEDS Roles: Medical Expert

15h40 – 16h00 Q&A

16h00 – 16h30 Debate: Screening to be Done by Primary Care? (Pro vs Con)

Pro: Jeremy Cobbold, University of Oxford

Con: Vlad Ratziu, European Network, FLIP, Paris, France

16h30 - 16h40 Summary and Close of the Day

Mark Swain, University of Calgary (CanNASH Steering Committee, President Elect of CASL)

Friday, April 9, 2021

SESSION 3 - 11h00 – 12h50 - Therapeutic approaches

Chair: Jean-Marie Ekoé, Université de Montréal

11h00 – 11h30 Nutritional therapy

Stéphanie Chevalier, MUHC-McGill University Health Center - CanMEDS Roles: Medical Expert, Collaborator, Health Advocate

11h30 – 12h00 Current management options for NAFLD

Quentin Anstee, Newcastle University - CanMEDS Roles: Medical Expert, Collaborator, Health Advocate

12h00 – 12h30 Emerging therapy for advanced NAFLD

Vlad Ratziu, European Network, FLIP, Paris, France - CanMEDS Roles: Medical Expert

12h30 – 12h50 Q&A

12h50 – 13h20 Coffee Break / Virtual Exhibit Booths Visit

SESSION 4 - 13h20 – 15h35 - Metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease

Chair: Alnoor Ramji, University of British Columbia (CanNASH Steering Committee)

13h20 – 13h50 Community Perspective

(Heather Watson, Canadian Liver Foundation and Diabetes Quebec Representatives) - CanMEDS Roles: Collaborator, Health Advocate

13h50 – 14h20 Metabolic syndrome

Harpreet Bajaj, LMC Healthcare, University of Toronto - CanMEDS Roles: Medical Expert

14h20 – 14h50 Cardiovascular complications

James Stone, University of Calgary, Libin Cardiovascular Institute - CanMEDS Roles: Medical Expert

14h50 – 15h10 Q&A

15h10 – 15h25 Debate: Getting to the Heart of the Matter: Why Do I Care about NAFLD if Patients Will Suffer Heart Disease (Heart vs Liver)

Heart: James Stone, University of Calgary, Libin Cardiovascular Institute

Liver: Alnoor Ramji, University of British Columbia

15h25 – 15h35 Summary and Closing Remarks

Giada Sebastiani, MUHC-McGill University Health Center (Conference Chair, CanNASH Steering Committee)

Jordan Feld, UHN-University of Toronto (President of CASL)

In keeping with the Canadian Medical Association Guidelines, program content and selection of speakers are the sole responsibility of the Scientific Committee. Funders have had no input into the content, speakers or activities of the meeting.