Afro-Egypt J Infect Endem Dis 2011 Dec ;1(2):A9

 

Anti Fibrotic Treatment: the Present Status and Future

 

Emam M

 

Zagazig University, Egypt

 

                              

 

ABSTRACT

There is an increasing evidence that fibrosis is a dynamic and reversible process .Clarification of the mechanism of fibro-genesis with particular action of stellate cell biology, has generated a great hope that novel therapies will evolve. Until now, however, no drug has been approved as an anti -fibrotic. In reality, there may already be many existing drugs with well-established safety profiles, whose mechanism of action will be also anti- fibrotic even though they have been developed for other indications. There are several points of attack in developing antifibrotic agents :1- Eliminate the cause(s) of injury and their mediators , reduce inflammation and the immune response. , 2-Target specific signaling: receptor ligand interaction, intracellular signaling.,3- Reduce fibro genesis by inhibiting matrix synthesis.,4- Resolve fibrosis by: increasing scar matrix degradation; stimulating apoptosis of stellate cells; and BM or cell transplantation. Emergence of effective drugs that ameliorate fibrosis approaching, and will transform the outlook for patients with chronic liver disease.To date with the available drugs, we can say that liver fibrosis is regressive but not completely reversible disease.