RAMAT GAN, Israel — September 9, 2026
Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. announced publication of a peer-reviewed case report describing clinical improvement in a patient with advanced decompensated liver cirrhosis treated with Namodenoson. Published in the Japanese Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the report describes resolution of ascites and regression of esophageal varices during treatment, allowing discontinuation of diuretic therapy and supporting a period of clinical stability. The patient remained clinically stable for approximately 28 months while receiving Namodenoson before successfully undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation from a deceased donor in January 2026. Although the report represents a single-patient observation rather than controlled clinical evidence, Can-Fite said the case provides additional clinical experience supporting further evaluation of Namodenoson in advanced liver disease, an area with significant unmet therapeutic need.
Namodenoson Supports Management of Portal Hypertension Complications
The published case highlights improvements in clinically important complications associated with advanced cirrhosis, despite continued deterioration in the patient’s underlying hepatic synthetic function. During Namodenoson treatment, ascites resolved and diuretic therapy was discontinued, while follow-up endoscopy showed only minimal residual esophageal varices. The patient subsequently maintained clinical stability for approximately 28 months before proceeding to liver transplantation. According to the treating physician, the combination of improved portal hypertension-related complications and successful bridging to transplantation makes the observation notable, although additional controlled studies will be required to establish the treatment’s potential benefit. For Can-Fite, the publication adds to the clinical evidence base surrounding Namodenoson and its potential application in liver diseases characterized by inflammation, fibrosis and progressive hepatic injury.
A3 Adenosine Receptor Mechanism Drives Development Strategy
Namodenoson is an orally bioavailable, highly selective agonist of the A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR), a receptor reported to be highly expressed in inflammatory and pathological cells while showing relatively low expression in normal cells. Activation of A3AR has been associated with anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic activity through pathways including NF-κB and Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Can-Fite has evaluated Namodenoson across several liver-related disease settings, including metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with underlying cirrhosis. The company is also advancing the molecule through multiple clinical programs, including a pivotal Phase 3 study in advanced liver cancer and a Phase 2b study in MASH. The newly published cirrhosis case provides an additional clinical observation for the company’s broader strategy of developing A3AR-targeted therapy across liver diseases and other serious conditions.
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Can-Fite Advances Broader Namodenoson Clinical Pipeline
The publication strengthens Can-Fite’s broader development strategy for Namodenoson while the company continues advancing the drug through late-stage clinical programs. Namodenoson is being evaluated in a pivotal Phase 3 study for hepatocellular carcinoma, while its MASH program has progressed into Phase 2b following completion of a Phase 2a study. The candidate has received Orphan Drug Designation in the United States and Europe and FDA Fast Track Designation for second-line HCC treatment. Can-Fite also reported encouraging clinical activity in a Phase 2a study in advanced pancreatic cancer, supporting additional development opportunities. While the newly reported cirrhosis case cannot establish efficacy on its own, the observed resolution of ascites, regression of esophageal varices and successful bridge to transplantation add to the clinical experience surrounding Namodenoson. Can-Fite is therefore continuing to position its A3AR platform as a potentially broad therapeutic approach across oncological, inflammatory and metabolic liver diseases.
Source: Can-Fite BioPharma ,press release
