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Intestinal fibrosis: ready to be reversed
Giovanni Latella1, Florian Rieder
1aGastroenterology Unit, Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy bDepartment of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Digestive Disease and Surgery Institute cDepartment of Pathobiology, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Current Opinion in Gastroenterology
|April 14, 2017
Summary
Intestinal fibrosis, a complication of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), lacks specific treatments. Recent research into fibrogenesis mechanisms and new compounds offers hope for clinical trials in Crohn's disease.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Fibrosis Research
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Background:
- Intestinal fibrosis is a significant complication in enteropathies, primarily inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
- Both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are affected by intestinal fibrosis.
- Currently, no targeted antifibrotic therapies are available for intestinal fibrosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in understanding and treating intestinal fibrosis.
- To explore the potential for novel antifibrotic therapies in IBD.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent developments in intestinal fibrosis research.
- Analysis of the pathophysiology of intestinal stricture formation.
- Assessment of potential therapeutic compounds and clinical trial strategies.
Main Results:
- Intestinal stricture formation involves both inflammation-dependent and independent pathways.
- Enhanced understanding of fibrogenesis mechanisms is emerging.
- Compounds developed for other fibrotic conditions may be applicable to intestinal fibrosis.
Conclusions:
- Further understanding of intestinal fibrosis mechanisms is crucial.
- Development of clinical trial endpoints is progressing.
- Novel antifibrotic compounds can be tested in clinical trials for IBD-related strictures.