DAVAO CITY — The Philippine Liver Research Network (PLRN) is taking significant steps toward strengthening partnerships among its member institutions, focusing on collaboration and innovation in addressing the country’s growing burden of liver diseases.
During its inaugural meeting on August 19, 2024, the PLRN prioritized network-building as its key initiative, emphasizing the importance of uniting local and international expertise to advance liver health research.
A Vision for Collaboration
In his message to the network, Dr. Jaime Montoya, Executive Director of the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD), highlighted the importance of building strong partnerships:
“We will be able to get to know each other and strengthen the capabilities of all the members and individuals involved in the PLRN. More importantly, this network aims to be a fertile ground for important and relevant research to help mitigate the liver disease problem in the country.”
The PLRN was first conceptualized in 2019 through a collaboration between the DOST-PCHRD and Fondazione Italiana Fegato (FIF), with the aim of becoming a hub for liver research in the Philippines.
It was formally established through a tripartite agreement between DOST-PCHRD, FIF, and the University of the Philippines Manila (UP Manila). The network envisions enabling local researchers to lead groundbreaking studies, publish research, and develop innovative solutions for liver health.
Building Expertise: A Brief History
The establishment of the PLRN is rooted in efforts to cultivate local expertise in liver research. In 2019, the FIF and DOST-PCHRD launched the PhD in Molecular Biomedicine scholarship program, which focused on molecular hepatology, cancer biology, genetics, jaundice, and metabolic diseases.
The program has already produced its first graduates—Dr. Loraine Kay Cabral and Dr. Noel Salvoza—who are now coordinating the network’s activities. With 11 scholars currently completing their studies, the PLRN is set to expand its pool of experts further, strengthening the country’s capacity to address liver diseases.
Liver Research Priorities
To guide its efforts, the PLRN has developed the Philippine Liver Research Agenda in collaboration with FIF. The agenda identifies ten priority areas for liver research:
Prevalence, incidence, and risk factors of liver diseases.
- Access to treatment.
- Burdens of liver disease.
- Addressing stigma caused by hepatitis B and its impact on healthcare utilization.
- Patient-reported outcomes for liver diseases.
- Non-invasive diagnostic tools for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.
- Screening and surveillance programs for early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.
- Registry and tissue and serum repository for liver diseases, including transplantation cirrhosis.
- Effectiveness of treatment interventions for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
- Strategies to increase the donor pool for liver transplants.
- Current Projects and Collaborations
The DOST-PCHRD has already supported five completed, two ongoing, and five upcoming liver-related research projects. Among its flagship initiatives is the PHIL LIVER Program, led by Dr. Janus Ong of the UP Manila – National Institutes of Health (NIH). This interdisciplinary program focuses on:
Establishing a biobank for liver disease research.
Studying biomarkers for viral hepatitis.
Exploring metabolic markers for chronic liver conditions, including those in people living with HIV.
The program underscores the PLRN’s commitment to addressing liver health challenges through collaboration and innovation.
A Growing Network of Institutions
Future Directions: Strengthening Collaborations
The PLRN plans to focus on enabling partnerships and providing opportunities for members to collaborate on research and best practices. Dr. Eva Maria Cutiongco-de la Paz, Executive Director of UP-NIH, emphasized the importance of collaboration in maximizing the network’s impact:
The PLRN convened experts from 32 institutions—spanning Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and international organizations—for its inaugural meeting. These institutions include:
LUZON: National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, Philippine General Hospital, and more.
VISAYAS: West Visayas State University, Chong Hua Hospital, and Philippine Genome Center – Visayas.
MINDANAO: Southern Philippines Medical Center, Metro Davao Medical and Research Center, and Philippine Genome Center – Mindanao.
International
- Fondazione Italiana Fegato (Italian Liver Foundation)
- World Health Organization
- University of Toronto
- Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional (National Research and Innovation Agency)
