The pathogenesis of drug-induced liver injury

Drugs can induce liver injury when taken as an over-dose, or even at therapeutic doses in susceptible individuals. Although severe drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a relatively uncommon clinical event, it is a potentially life threatening adverse drug reaction and is the most common indication for the drug withdrawal. Areas covered: However, the diagnosis of DILI remains a significant challenge, because the establishment of causality is very difficult, and the histopathologic findings of DILI may be indistinguishable from those of other hepatic disorders, such as viral and alcoholic hepatitis. In this review, we provide an overview of recent advances in identification of serologic markers of diagnosis and prognosis, etiologic factors for susceptibility and diagnostic evaluation of DILI, with a focus on its pathogenic mechanisms and the role of liver biopsy. Expert commentary: Further studies of divergent research platforms, using a systems biology approach such as genomics and transcriptomics, may provide a deeper understanding of human drug metabolism and the causes, risk factors, and pathogenesis of DILI.