Fibrosis in chronic liver diseases: diagnosis and management

Progressive hepatic fibrosis is the common consequence of most chronic liver diseases. Following the elucidation of the cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for this process, increasing interest concerning the possible translation" of these advancements into clinical applications has developed in recent years. This also in view of the still theoretical possibility of treating hepatic fibrosis with pharmacological agents. Current relevant issues are: (1) the need of an accurate and effective monitoring of the fibrotic progression of chronic liver diseases and of the effectiveness of the currently proposed treatments; (2) the identification of general or individual factors potentially relevant for a faster progression of the disease; (3) the need of starting clinical trials aimed to test antifibrogenic drugs with clear end-points. © 2004 European Association for the Study of the Liver. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved."