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Fibrosis in Disease pp 387–417Cite as

Liver Fibrosis: Current Approaches and Future Directions for Diagnosis and Treatment

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Part of the book series: Molecular and Translational Medicine ((MOLEMED))

Abstract

Liver fibrosis, known as cirrhosis in advanced stages, is a dynamic process in which aberrant extracellular matrix accumulates in the liver parenchyma in response to chronic injury. Recent data has shown that liver fibrosis, even in advanced stages, may regress with the cessation of liver injury. In the past two decades, there has been remarkable progress in the understanding of hepatic fibrosis and the identification of therapeutic targets. Here, we review the epidemiology, etiology, pathophysiology, current therapeutic options, and future research directions for the management of cirrhosis. We discuss the molecular mechanisms involved in hepatic fibrogenesis, the role of liver matrix stiffening in disease diagnosis and pathogenesis, and the association between liver fibrosis and tumorigenesis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA

    Jennifer Y. Chen

  2. Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA

    Jennifer Y. Chen & Tammy T. Chang

  3. Deparment of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA

    Dhruv Thakar & Tammy T. Chang

  4. Center for Bioengineering and Tissue Regeneration, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA

    Dhruv Thakar

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  1. Jennifer Y. Chen
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Krannert Institute of Cardiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health, Indianapolis, IN, USA

    Monte S. Willis

  2. Department of Health Promotion and Development, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Cecelia C. Yates

  3. Department of Pharmacology and Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, McAllister Heart Institute, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

    Jonathan C. Schisler

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Chen, J.Y., Thakar, D., Chang, T.T. (2019). Liver Fibrosis: Current Approaches and Future Directions for Diagnosis and Treatment. In: Willis, M., Yates, C., Schisler, J. (eds) Fibrosis in Disease . Molecular and Translational Medicine. Humana Press, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-98143-7_15

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