6 Hepatology Headlines You Missed in March 2026

March brought a series of meaningful developments in hepatology, spanning regulatory milestones, emerging therapies, and evolving perspectives on liver disease risk and management. From the first approved treatment for cholestatic pruritus in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) to ongoing efforts to improve viral hepatitis care, the month highlighted both progress and persistent challenges across the field.

A major highlight came with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of linerixibat, marking the first US-approved therapy specifically for cholestatic pruritus in PBC and signaling a shift toward more targeted management of symptom burden in cholestatic liver diseases. At the same time, growing attention to hepatitis B and D underscored the need for expanded treatment strategies and continued innovation, with new discussions around care delivery and promising investigational therapies like brelovitug.

The month also emphasized the importance of broader clinical context, from emerging research on intergenerational drivers of MASLD to novel insights into diet’s role in hepatocellular carcinoma risk. Alongside these advances, increasing focus on pruritus across rare liver diseases reflects a broader push to address quality-of-life impacts that have long been underrecognized.

Here’s a look at 6 key hepatology headlines from March 2026 you may have missed:

FDA Approves Linerixibat (Lynavoy) As First Treatment for Cholestatic Pruritus in PBC

On March 19, 2026, the FDA approved GSK’s linerixibat (Lynavoy) for the treatment of cholestatic pruritus in adult patients with PBC, making it the first medicine approved in the US for this indication. The decision was based on data from the global phase 3 GLISTEN trial, which met both primary and key secondary endpoints, demonstrating significant, rapid and sustained improvements in cholestatic pruritus and itch-related sleep interference versus placebo.

Liver Lineup: Breaking Down Barriers in Hepatitis B Management

On the latest episode of Liver Lineup, hosts Nancy Reau, MD, and Kimberly Brown, MD, welcome guest Su Wang, MD, MPH, to discuss the current landscape of hepatitis B care and evolving guidelines. The trio reviews the changing management of hepatitis B and explores how to move care beyond silos with expanded treatment and provider empowerment.

Inside the AZURE Program of Brelovitug for Hepatitis D, With Tatyana Kushner, MD

For clinicians managing hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection, the stakes are uniquely high. Unlike many other chronic viral hepatitides, HDV is widely recognized as the most aggressive form of viral hepatitis, often leading to rapid disease progression and severe long-term complications. Tatyana Kushner, MD, discusses brelovitug’s potential for the treatment of HDV and what will be learned from the phase 3 AZURE program.

Understanding Intergenerational Risk Factors for MASLD, With Stefani Tica, MD, MPH

As rates of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) continue to rise, experts are increasingly examining how risk for metabolic disease may develop earlier in life than previously recognized, with emerging evidence suggesting that factors shaping MASLD risk may extend beyond an individual’s current metabolic health to include early-life exposures and parental health. Stefani Tica, MD, MPH, recaps her research suggesting MASLD risk may develop early in life, highlighting the impact of parental factors and cumulative childhood adiposity.

Expanding the Reach of Maralixibat in Rare Cholestatic Liver Diseases, With Mercedes Martinez, MD

For patients with rare cholestatic liver diseases, pruritus is a debilitating, often underrecognized symptom that can severely disrupt sleep, daily function, and quality of life. Frequently worsening at night and with heat or activity, it remains difficult to measure and does not reliably correlate with standard biomarkers like bile acids or bilirubin. As awareness grows and new therapies are being studied, there is increasing urgency to better recognize and more effectively treat this overlooked but life-altering burden. Mercedes Martinez, MD, highlights both the clinical burden of cholestatic pruritus and the growing promise of targeted therapies like maralixibat.

Dietary Protein as a Modifiable Risk Factor in Liver Cancer, With Wei-Xing Zong, PhD

In a recent study published in Science Advances, investigators from Rutgers University linked dietary protein, ammonia buildup, and liver cancer growth, raising questions about targeted nutrition in HCC risk management. Wei-Xing Zong, PhD, provides additional insight into his team’s research and the clinical significance of their findings.