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Updated: Dec 11, 2025

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Hepatic Antifibrotic Pharmacotherapy: Are We Approaching Success?

Yue Chang1,2, Hai Li1,2

  • 1Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tianjin Xiqing Hospital, Tianjin, China.

Journal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology
|August 25, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Effective hepatic antifibrotic drugs are urgently needed to combat high rates of liver fibrosis worldwide. This review details current drug effectiveness, safety, and ongoing clinical trials targeting hepatic stellate cell activation.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Pharmacology
  • Fibrosis Research

Background:

  • Liver fibrosis, a precursor to cirrhosis, poses a significant global health burden with limited approved treatments.
  • Hepatic stellate cell activation and proliferation are key mechanisms driving liver fibrosis.
  • There is an urgent need for effective antifibrotic therapies to prevent and reverse liver damage.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the efficacy and safety of existing antifibrotic drugs targeting diverse mechanisms.
  • To provide an overview of antifibrotic drug candidates in Phase II and III clinical trials.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic literature review of antifibrotic agents.
  • Analysis of drug targets and mechanisms of action.
  • Summary of clinical trial data for drugs in development.

Main Results:

  • Various antifibrotic drugs with different targets have shown promise.
  • Several drug candidates are advancing through Phase II and III trials, indicating progress in the field.
  • The review synthesizes current data on drug effectiveness and safety profiles.

Conclusions:

  • Significant advancements have been made in developing antifibrotic drugs.
  • Further research and clinical trials are crucial for bringing effective treatments to patients.
  • Targeting hepatic stellate cells remains a primary focus for antifibrotic drug development.
Keywords:
Antifibrotic agentsFibrosisLiverPharmacotherapyReversal

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