On Aug. 31, 2020, an international team of scientists supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced they had identified a novel association between the gene FAF2 and a reduced risk for alcohol-associated liver cirrhosis (ALC) in people who drink heavily. Also confirmed by the study were four additional genes, three previously found to be associated with an increased risk and one with reduced risk of ALC in people who drink heavily.

ALC is a major source of alcohol-related morbidity and mortality worldwide. Taken together, the new findings help solidify our understanding of ALC, particularly with regard to the connection between fat metabolism and vulnerability to cirrhosis.