Area Editoriale
The Third American Associated for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD)-
sponsored Single Topic Conference on hepatic fibrosis was held in June2006. The conference was both international, with 6 countriesrepresented, and cross-disciplinary, linking the basic molecular andcellular biology of fibrogenic cells to clinical trial design foremerging antifibrotic therapies. The specific goals of the conferencewere: (1) to consolidate knowledge about the natural history offibrosis; (2) to clarify potential endpoints and markers; (3) toemphasize new antifibrotic targets developed on the basis of advancesin basic science; and (4) to understand current critical issuespertaining to clinical trial design. Given the tremendous growth of thefield and the constraints of a 2-day format, the selection of speakerswas a challenge. A number of topics not included in the oralpresentations were featured at poster sessions, lending breadth anddepth to the meeting as a whole. Surprising new themes emerged aboutmolecular, clinical, and regulatory aspects of the field, and aconsensus emerged that hepatic fibrosis has matured into an integrateddiscipline that promises to significantly improve the prognosis ofpatients with fibrosing liver disease.
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