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The Role of Liver Biopsy in Drug-Induced Liver Injury

  • Drug-Induced Liver Injury (P Hayashi, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Hepatology Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

This review presents the current understanding of the role played by liver biopsy in the diagnosis and management of drug-induced liver injury (DILI).

Recent Findings

While liver biopsy remains an optional procedure in the evaluation of DILI, it has the potential to provide detailed information about the state of the liver. Recent histological surveys of DILI provide a framework for categorizing the patterns of injury that may be seen. Pattern information can be used to distinguish DILI from other potential causes of injury, both other acute injuries as well as pre-existing injury. The pattern of injury is related to differential diagnosis and in some cases can suggest a mechanism of injury. The character and severity of the injury could potentially be used in clinical decision-making. Examples of the use of liver biopsy in the context of DILI encountered in clinical trials are provided which highlight these points.

Summary

Liver biopsy may be a useful tool in DILI evaluation, particularly in complex clinical situations and clinical trials with experimental therapies.

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Acknowledgments

Dr. Kleiner prepared the manuscript, including all figures and tables.

Funding

This review was financially supported by the Intramural Research Program of the NIH, National Cancer Institute.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, 10 Center Drive, Building 10, Room 2S235, MSC1500, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA

    David E. Kleiner

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David E. Kleiner declares no potential conflicts of interest.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Drug-Induced Liver Injury

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Kleiner, D.E. The Role of Liver Biopsy in Drug-Induced Liver Injury. Curr Hepatology Rep 18, 287–293 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11901-019-00486-w

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