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Published on: November 4, 2018
Treatment of hepatic fibrosis: almost there
Efsevia Albanis1, Rifaat Safadi, Scott L Friedman
1Division of Liver Diseases, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Box 1123, 1425 Madison Avenue, Room 1170F, New York, NY 10029-6574, USA.
Abstract:
Hepatic fibrosis is the scarring response of the liver to chronic liver injury; when fibrosis progresses to cirrhosis, morbid complications can develop. Available therapies for many chronic liver diseases are ineffective, with liver transplantation as the only option, though the supply of donor organs is inadequate to meet the growing demand. Novel approaches that attack the scarring response are therefore urgently needed. Optimism in this effort is fueled by major insights into the pathogenesis of fibrosis and by accumulating evidence that even cirrhosis is reversible in many patients. Most evolving antifibrotic therapies will be aimed at inhibiting the activated hepatic stellate cell, which is responsible for the fibrotic response to injury. This review describes the ways in which insights into the cellular basis of hepatic fibrosis are leading to realistic strategies for antifibrotic treatment that may revolutionize the management of patients with chronic liver disease.
Insights
Novel antifibrotic therapies targeting activated hepatic stellate cells are urgently needed for liver diseases. Research shows even cirrhosis may be reversible, offering new treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Cellular Biology
- Fibrosis Research
Background:
- Hepatic fibrosis, a liver scarring response to chronic injury, can progress to cirrhosis with severe complications.
- Current therapies for chronic liver diseases are often ineffective, with transplantation limited by organ availability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review emerging antifibrotic treatment strategies for liver fibrosis.
- To highlight how cellular insights into fibrosis pathogenesis inform new therapeutic approaches.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on hepatic fibrosis and antifibrotic therapies.
- Focus on the role of activated hepatic stellate cells in liver scarring.
Main Results:
- Major insights into fibrosis pathogenesis fuel optimism for new treatments.
- Evidence suggests cirrhosis reversibility in many patients.
- Activated hepatic stellate cells are a key target for antifibrotic therapies.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the cellular basis of hepatic fibrosis is leading to realistic antifibrotic strategies.
- New treatments targeting hepatic stellate cells may revolutionize chronic liver disease management.
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