Fibrosis and cirrhosis reversibility: clinical features and implications

Abstract

In recent years, practicing hepatologists have directed their attention to the most relevant outcome of most chronic liver diseases (CLD), ie, the progressive substitution of the functioning hepatic parenchyma with fibrotic tissue. Significant advancements in the knowledge of cellular and molecular mechanisms of hepatic fibrogenesis have greatly contributed to this change, and, currently, major efforts are directed at translating these acquisitions in diagnostic and therapeutic applications. This article outlines differences between fibrosis and cirrhosis and discusses the reversibility of CLD and the regression of fibrosis and cirrhosis. The end-points of anti-fibrotic therapy are detailed.