Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) [US], September 26 (ANI): A new study from the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy provides light on the processes that contribute to liver fibrosis and proposes a unique therapy method for this prevalent and serious disorder. The work, led by senior author Wen Xie, M.D.
, Ph.D., professor and Joseph Koslow endowed chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and co-first authors Hung-Chun Tung, graduate student, and Jong-Won Kim, Ph.
D., postdoctoral associate, was published today in Science Translational Medicine. In this Q&A, Xie expands on the study’s findings and discusses why new diagnostic tools and therapy options for liver fibrosis are critically needed.
Liver fibrosis is the formation of tissue scars in the liver due to chronic inflammation and injury. Over time, fibrosis can impair liver function and may lead to cirrhosis or even liver cancer. Those at risk include individuals with chronic viral hepatitis, obesity, diabetes and excessive alcohol use.
Early detection and intervention are crucial to prevent progression to more severe liver disease. Currently there are no FDA-approved drugs that specifically treat liver fibrosis. The only treatment option is to treat diseases that cause liver fibrosis in the first place, such as hepatitis, obesity, type 2 diabetes and alcoholic liver disease.
Preventive measures include avoiding excessive alcohol, maintaining a healthy body weight and early screening for liver diseases to preve.
