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CC BY 4.0 · Semin Liver Dis 2023; 43(04): 429-445
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1776773
Review Article

Novel Therapeutic Approaches in Treatment of Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure

MohammadMahdi Saeidinejad
1   Liver Failure Group, Department of Medicine, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
,
Ahmed Elshabrawi
1   Liver Failure Group, Department of Medicine, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
2   Intensive Care Unit, Endemic Hepatology and Gastroenterology Department, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
,
Supachaya Sriphoosanaphan
1   Liver Failure Group, Department of Medicine, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
3   Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok
,
Fausto Andreola
1   Liver Failure Group, Department of Medicine, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
,
Gautam Mehta
1   Liver Failure Group, Department of Medicine, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
,
Banwari Agarwal
1   Liver Failure Group, Department of Medicine, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
4   Intensive Care Unit, Royal Free Hospital, London, United Kingdom
,
Rajiv Jalan
1   Liver Failure Group, Department of Medicine, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
5   Hepatology Department, Royal Free Hospital, London, United Kingdom
6   European Foundation for the Study of Chronic Liver Failure, Barcelona, Spain
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Abstract

Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF), a clinical syndrome that can develop at any stage in the progression of cirrhotic liver disease, is characterized by an acute decompensation in liver function with associated multiorgan failure and high short-term mortality. Current evidence points to ACLF being reversible, particularly in those at the lower end of the severity spectrum. However, there are no specific treatments for ACLF, and overall outcomes remain poor. Expedited liver transplantation as a treatment option is limited by organ shortage and a lack of priority allocation for this indication. Other options are therefore urgently needed, and our improved understanding of the condition has led to significant efforts to develop novel therapies. In conclusion, this review aims to summarize the current understanding of the pathophysiological processes involved in the onset, progression, and recovery of ACLF and discuss novel therapies under development.

Keywords

cirrhosis - ACLF - Inflammation


Publication History

Article published online:
15 December 2023

© 2023. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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