From Liver Fibrosis to Carcinoma: Physiopathological Mechanisms, Diagnosis and Treatment

Dear Colleagues,

Liver fibrosis, which develops as a response to long-lasting injury or inflammation, is a common final pathway at the cross-section of all chronic liver diseases before the surge of cirrhosis and carcinoma and is responsible for significant levels of morbidity and mortality. Viral infection, dysmetabolism, cholestasis-inducers, and excessive alcohol consumption are common causes of this condition. Liver fibrosis is a multi-staged and tightly regulated process. Accumulating evidence suggests that the fibrotic liver can re-acquire a normal architecture, even in advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis, if an effective treatment for the underlying insult is applied. 

We are becoming more and more aware of the fact that liver fibrosis has etiology-dependent patterns of evolution and numerous underlying mechanisms. This points out the necessity of fully dissecting these physiopathological pathways in order to develop distinct diagnostic and therapeutic modalities for the improved clinical management of chronic liver diseases.

This Special Issue of the Journal of Clinical Medicine is intended to solicit cutting-edge original research and topical reviews on the pathological mechanisms, including on the transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and epigenetic control of liver fibrosis stage-wise advancement to cirrhosis and carcinoma. Papers on new strategies and emerging advanced translational and clinical approaches for the prevention and therapy of chronic liver diseases, clinical studies on current management strategies, and translational research studies that further our knowledge on the molecular pathogenesis underlying the progress of fibrosis to carcinoma and therapeutic approaches are welcome.

With sadness, we regret to inform you about the passing of Dr. Rinaldo Pellicano, Guest Editor of JCM. We are grateful for his many contributions to the journal and the legacy his research has left.

Dr. Sharmila Fagoonee
Prof. Dr. Pietro Invernizzi
Guest Editors

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