AlcHepNet Clinical Trial Eligibility and Enrollment

Inclusion Criteria

1. AH, as defined by the NIAAA pan-consortia for AH:
1. Onset of jaundice (defined as serum total bilirubin >3 mg/dL) within the prior 8 weeks to screening visit
2. Regular consumption of alcohol with an intake of > 40 gm daily or >280gm weekly on average for women and > 60 gm daily or >420gm weekly on average for men for 6 months or more, with less than 8 weeks of abstinence before onset of jaundice
3. AST > 50 IU/l
4. AST:ALT > 1.5 and both values < 400 IU/l
5. and/or histological evidence of AH*

* In patients with possible AH or AH with confounding factors such as possible ischemic hepatitis, possible DILI, uncertain history of alcohol use (e.g., patient denies excessive alcohol use), and atypical/abnormal laboratory tests (e.g., AST < 50 IU/mL or > 400 IU/mL, AST/ALT ratio < 1.5), antinuclear antibody > 1:160 or SMA > 1:80, a liver biopsy will be performed to confirm AH and exclude competing etiologies

2. MELD 20-35 on day of randomization.
3. Age ≥ 21

Exclusion Criteria

1. MELD SCORE <20 or > 35
2. Active sepsis (positive blood or ascitic cultures) with Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) or hemodynamic compromise requiring intravenous pressors to maintain tissue perfusion
3. Pneumonia as evidenced by radiological exam
4. Multi-organ failure
5. Renal failure defined by GFR < 35 mL/min.
6. Clinically active C. diff infection
7. History of imaging of the liver (ultrasound, computerized tomography or magnetic resonance) showing other causes of jaundice
8. History of other liver diseases including hepatitis B (positive HBsAg or HBV DNA), hepatitis C (positive HCV RNA), autoimmune hepatitis, Wilson disease, genetic \hemochromatosis, alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency or strong suspicion of Drug Induced Liver Injury (DILI). Previously treated hepatitis C that was cured (sustained virological response with negative RNA ≥24 weeks following treatment) is not an exclusion.
9. History of HIV infection (positive HIV RNA or on treatment for HIV infection)
10. History or presence of cancer (including hepatocellular carcinoma) other than non-melanoma skin cancer
11. History of other significant medical problems such as autoimmune diseases, severe asthma, psoriasis, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), etc. that might require immunosuppressive treatments
12. Pregnancy or breastfeeding
13. Prior exposure to experimental therapies in last 3 months
14. Prior exposure to systemic corticosteroid (glucocorticoid) or immunosuppressive therapy for more than 4 days within previous 30 days
15. Need for inotropic pressor support to maintain perfusion to critical organs within prior 48 hours before randomization and initiation of experimental treatment
16. Clinically significant pancreatitis- abdominal pain, elevated lipase (> 3 X ULN) and at least edema of pancreas with fat-stranding on CT scan
17. Total WBC count > 30,000/mm3
18. Known allergy or intolerance to therapeutic agents to be tested
19. Inability to voluntarily obtain informed consent from participant or guardian
20. Perceived inability to follow study procedures and comply with protocol
21. Platelet count < 40,000 k/cumm.
22. Positive PCR test for COVID-19 within 7 days prior to baseline day 0 visit*

*Positive PCR test for COVID-19 is exclusionary only during the screening period. If a patient tests positive any time after baseline randomization, a positive PCR test for COVID-19 will be considered as a SAE.

23. Active gastrointestinal bleeding defined as hematemesis or melena with a decrease in hemoglobin more than 2 g/dl in 24 hrs. Due to gastrointestinal bleeding, or with a decrease in mean arterial BP to < 65 mmHg

The participants for this study will be recruited from a hospitalized population of participants meeting the eligibility criteria outlined above who live within one day travel from one of the participating clinical centers and who have provided informed consent to participate in this clinical trial and who are willing to continue their participation for the anticipated follow-up period of the trial. Although the primary endpoint is survival at 90 days, follow-up visits will be continued up to 6 months.