In mice at least, scientists have found a way to stop and even reverse a deadly scarring of liver tissue called fibrosis If proven to work in people, it would be a major advance for patients battling cirrhosis, hepatitis disease and other ailments The therapy works by blocking proteins produced by certain genes FRIDAY, Nov. 1, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- , hepatitis infection and other causes can trigger liver fibrosis -- a potentially lethal stiffening of tissue that, once begun, is irreversible. For many patients, a liver transplant is their only hope.
However, research at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles may offer patients a glimmer of hope. Scientists there say they've successfully reversed liver fibrosis in mice. Reporting recently in the journal , the team say they've discovered a genetic pathway that, if blocked, might bring fibrosis to a halt.
The three genes involved in this fibrotic process are called FOXM1, MAT2A and MAT2B. “What we achieved was to unveil the axis of FOXM1, MAT2A and MAT2B as a potential target for developing drugs to treat liver fibrosis,” said study senior author , who directs gastroenterology and hepatology at Cedars-Sinai. “Our findings suggest that blocking any of these [gene-produced] proteins might be useful in treating this condition.
” The research is still in its early stages, of course, and results in animal don't always pan out in humans. But , chair of the Cedars-Sinai Department of Medicine, said insights from the study hold real promi.