Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 8, 2026
Author Spotlight: A Pharmacodissection Approach to Uncover Mechanisms in Cardiovascular Disease Risk Populations
Published on: July 21, 2023
Fibrogenic Disorders in Human Diseases: From Inflammation to Organ Dysfunction
Lucienne Juillerat-Jeanneret1, John-David Aubert2, Josip Mikulic1
1Transplantation Center and Transplantation Immunopathology Laboratory, Department of Medicine , Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL) , Lausanne , Switzerland.
Abstract:
Fibrosis is an inadequate response to tissue stress with very few therapeutic options to prevent its progression to organ dysfunction. There is an urgent need to identify drugs with a therapeutic potential for fibrosis, either by designing and developing new compounds or by repurposing drugs already in clinical use which were developed for other indications. In this Perspective, we summarize some pathways and biological targets involved in fibrosis development and maintenance, focusing on common mechanisms between organs and diseases. We review the therapeutic agents under experimental development, clinical trials, or in clinical use for the treatment of fibrotic disorders, evaluating the reasons for the discrepancies observed between preclinical and clinical results. We also discuss the improvement that we envision in the development of therapeutic molecules able to achieve improved potential for treatment, including indirect modulators, targeting approaches, or drug combinations.
Insights
Fibrosis, a response to tissue stress, has limited treatments. This perspective reviews therapeutic targets and agents for fibrosis, aiming to improve drug development for organ protection.
Area of Science:
- * Pharmacology
- * Molecular Biology
- * Pathology
Background:
- * Fibrosis is a pathological tissue response to stress, often leading to organ dysfunction.
- * Current therapeutic options for preventing fibrosis progression are limited.
- * There is a critical need for novel antifibrotic drugs, either newly developed or repurposed.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To summarize key pathways and biological targets in fibrosis development and maintenance.
- * To review existing and experimental therapeutic agents for fibrotic disorders.
- * To discuss strategies for improving antifibrotic drug development.
Main Methods:
- * Literature review of fibrosis pathways, targets, and therapeutic agents.
- * Analysis of common mechanisms across different organs and fibrotic diseases.
- * Evaluation of discrepancies between preclinical and clinical findings for antifibrotic drugs.
Main Results:
- * Identified common molecular pathways and biological targets implicated in fibrosis.
- * Reviewed a range of therapeutic agents in preclinical and clinical development.
- * Highlighted challenges and reasons for discrepancies in antifibrotic drug efficacy.
Conclusions:
- * Understanding common fibrotic mechanisms is crucial for broad therapeutic strategies.
- * Repurposing existing drugs and developing novel agents are key avenues.
- * Future drug development should consider indirect modulators, targeted approaches, and combinations.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Skin Diseases and Disorders
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
01:38Inflammation
02:18Intrinsically Disordered Proteins
01:18Structural Organization of the Human Body: An Overview
To study the chemical level of organization, scientists consider the simplest building blocks of matter: subatomic particles, atoms, and molecules. All matter in the universe is composed of one or more unique pure substances called elements, familiar examples of...
02:07Organization of Genes
01:09Levels of Organization
Molecules Are Composed of Atoms, and Biomolecules Are Assembled from Molecules:
The most basic levels include atoms, molecules, and biomolecules. Atoms, the smallest unit of ordinary matter, are composed of a nucleus and electrons. Molecules...