Shared Pathways Between Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Psoriatic Disease With Guselekumab Therapy (EMERGE)

February 19, 2026 updated by: Monica Guma, University of California, San Diego

Shared Mechanisms Contributing to Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and Psoriatic Disease (PD) Severity With Guselkumab Therapy [EMERGE]

The goal of this research study is to better understand if there is an association between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and active psoriatic disease (PD), and to assess the effect of Guselkumab (a medication approved by the FDA instead of the standard of care to treat PD), for NAFLD patients who receive Guselkumab for their PD.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Withdrawn

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

This observational research study aims to provide information on the mechanisms behind the transition from NAFLD to high-risk NASH in the PD population. Overlapping mechanisms of disease in NAFLD and PD may account for increased disease prevalence and severity, and shared drivers of disease progression offer the opportunity to ameliorate both disease entities by targeting a single pathway. This is a longitudinal study that requires two visits from individuals with psoriatic disease. Subjects must have NAFLD and at least one criterion for active psoriatic disease: i) at least 1 swollen joint or 1 site of active enthesitis; and/or (ii at least 1 psoriatic plaque to qualify for the study. The aim of the study is to determine the effect of biological therapies in liver disorders in patients with PD, in addition to the effect on joint and skin manifestations.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Observational

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Contact Backup

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

A total sample of approximately 20 PD patients from UCSD rheumatology clinics. 50% of patients screened will meet the inclusion criteria for NAFLD. To provide equal representation of the Psoriatic Disease population, 10 patients who meet the inclusion criteria for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, and approximately 10 patients who meet the inclusion criteria for active psoriatic arthritis, will be enrolled.

Description

Inclusion criteria:

  • Adults with a diagnosis of PsA fulfilling the classification for PsA (CASPAR) criteria.
  • Overweight or obese by BMI ≥ 25.0 kg/m2 or ≥ 23.0 for Asian participants
  • Patients are starting Guselkumab therapy as indicated by primary rheumatologist
  • Elevated liver fat on controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) ≥ 288 dB/m, which is consistent with NAFLD after exclusion of secondary causes of liver disease8.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Evidence of other causes of chronic liver disease
  • Hepatitis B as defined as presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg).
  • Previous or current infection with Hepatitis C as defined by presence of hepatitis C virus Ab in serum (anti-HCV Ab).
  • Autoimmune hepatitis as defined by anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) of 1:160 or greater and liver histology consistent with autoimmune hepatitis or previous response to immunosuppressive therapy.
  • Autoimmune cholestatic liver disorders as defined by elevation of alkaline phosphatase and anti-mitochondrial antibody of greater than 1:80 or liver histology consistent with primary biliary cirrhosis or elevation of alkaline phosphatase and liver histology consistent with sclerosing cholangitis.
  • Wilson disease as defined by ceruloplasmin below the limits of normal and liver histology consistent with Wilson disease.
  • Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency as defined by alpha-1-antitrypsin level less than normal and liver histology consistent with alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency.
  • Hemochromatosis as defined by presence of 3+ or 4+ stainable iron on liver biopsy and homozygosity for C282Y or compound heterozygosity for C282Y/H63D.
  • Drug-induced liver disease as defined on the basis of typical exposure and history.
  • Bile duct obstruction as shown by imaging studies.
  • History of gastrointestinal bypass surgery or ingestion of medications known to produce steatosis, such as corticosteroids, high-dose estrogen, tamoxifen, amiodarone, or tetracycline in the previous 6 months.
  • Evidence of cirrhosis or previously known cirrhosis based on the results from a previous liver biopsy or history of portal hypertension presented by ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, or varices
  • Presence of regular and/or excessive use of alcohol (defined as >30g/day for males and >15g/day for females) for a period longer than 2 years at any time in the last 10 years
  • The subject is a pregnant or nursing female
  • History of known HIV infection

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort

Group / Cohort

A group or subgroup of participants in an observational study that is assessed for biomedical or health outcomes.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Active Psoriatic Disease
Patients with active psoriatic disease (diagnosed with psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis) who are planning to start Guselkumab as part of their standard of care.
Drug: Guselkumab Prefilled Syringe [Tremfya]
This trial aims to recruit patients who have psoriatic disease, have evidence of fatty liver disease, and have a BMI over 25, who are planning to start Guselkumab(Tremfya) as recommended by their primary rheumatologist or dermatologist

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Improvement in NAFLD severity
Time Frame: 6 months
Improvement of NAFLD severity is defined by MRI-PDFF responders (relative decline in liver fat ≥30%) vs non-responders (relative decline in liver fat <30%) at Week 24
6 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Improvement in skin psoriasis severity as defined by PASI90 (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index) response
Time Frame: 6 months
6 months
Improvement in joint arthritis as defined by an improvement of ≥ 5 of DAPSA (Disease Activity in Psoriatic Arthritis)
Time Frame: 6 months
6 months
17 units per liter improvement in alanine aminotransferase(ALT) in those patients with elevated ALT at baseline.
Time Frame: 6 months
Elevated ALT is defined as ≥ 30 U/L.
6 months

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
University of California, San Diego

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
November 30, 2025

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
November 30, 2025

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
November 30, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
September 24, 2025

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
November 20, 2025

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
December 1, 2025

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
February 23, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
February 19, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • CNTO1959PSA4014

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

Yes

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

Yes

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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