Paul K. H. Tam, Rebecca G. Wells, Clara S. M. Tang, Vincent C. H. Lui, Maria Hukkinen, Carlos D. Luque, Paolo De Coppi, Cara L. Mack, Mikko Pakarinen, Mark Davenport
{"title":"Biliary atresia","authors":"Paul K. H. Tam, Rebecca G. Wells, Clara S. M. Tang, Vincent C. H. Lui, Maria Hukkinen, Carlos D. Luque, Paolo De Coppi, Cara L. Mack, Mikko Pakarinen, Mark Davenport","doi":"10.1038/s41572-024-00533-x","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p>Biliary atresia (BA) is a progressive inflammatory fibrosclerosing disease of the biliary system and a major cause of neonatal cholestasis. It affects 1:5,000–20,000 live births, with the highest incidence in Asia. The pathogenesis is still unknown, but emerging research suggests a role for ciliary dysfunction, redox stress and hypoxia. The study of the underlying mechanisms can be conceptualized along the likely prenatal timing of an initial insult and the distinction between the injury and prenatal and postnatal responses to injury. Although still speculative, these emerging concepts, new diagnostic tools and early diagnosis might enable neoadjuvant therapy (possibly aimed at oxidative stress) before a Kasai portoenterostomy (KPE). This is particularly important, as timely KPE restores bile flow in only 50–75% of patients of whom many subsequently develop cholangitis, portal hypertension and progressive fibrosis; 60–75% of patients require liver transplantation by the age of 18 years. Early diagnosis, multidisciplinary management, centralization of surgery and optimized interventions for complications after KPE lead to better survival. Postoperative corticosteroid use has shown benefits, whereas the role of other adjuvant therapies remains to be evaluated. Continued research to better understand disease mechanisms is necessary to develop innovative treatments, including adjuvant therapies targeting the immune response, regenerative medicine approaches and new clinical tests to improve patient outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":18910,"journal":{"name":"Nature Reviews Disease Primers","volume":"38 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":76.9000,"publicationDate":"2024-07-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Nature Reviews Disease Primers","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41572-024-00533-x","RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"MEDICINE, GENERAL & INTERNAL","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Biliary atresia (BA) is a progressive inflammatory fibrosclerosing disease of the biliary system and a major cause of neonatal cholestasis. It affects 1:5,000–20,000 live births, with the highest incidence in Asia. The pathogenesis is still unknown, but emerging research suggests a role for ciliary dysfunction, redox stress and hypoxia. The study of the underlying mechanisms can be conceptualized along the likely prenatal timing of an initial insult and the distinction between the injury and prenatal and postnatal responses to injury. Although still speculative, these emerging concepts, new diagnostic tools and early diagnosis might enable neoadjuvant therapy (possibly aimed at oxidative stress) before a Kasai portoenterostomy (KPE). This is particularly important, as timely KPE restores bile flow in only 50–75% of patients of whom many subsequently develop cholangitis, portal hypertension and progressive fibrosis; 60–75% of patients require liver transplantation by the age of 18 years. Early diagnosis, multidisciplinary management, centralization of surgery and optimized interventions for complications after KPE lead to better survival. Postoperative corticosteroid use has shown benefits, whereas the role of other adjuvant therapies remains to be evaluated. Continued research to better understand disease mechanisms is necessary to develop innovative treatments, including adjuvant therapies targeting the immune response, regenerative medicine approaches and new clinical tests to improve patient outcomes.
期刊介绍:
Nature Reviews Disease Primers, a part of the Nature Reviews journal portfolio, features sections on epidemiology, mechanisms, diagnosis, management, and patient quality of life. The editorial team commissions top researchers — comprising basic scientists and clinical researchers — to write the Primers, which are designed for use by early career researchers, medical students and principal investigators. Each Primer concludes with an Outlook section, highlighting future research directions. Covered medical specialties include Cardiology, Dermatology, Ear, Nose and Throat, Emergency Medicine, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Genetic Conditions, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Hepatology, Haematology, Infectious Diseases, Maxillofacial and Oral Medicine, Nephrology, Neurology, Nutrition, Oncology, Ophthalmology, Orthopaedics, Psychiatry, Respiratory Medicine, Rheumatology, Sleep Medicine, and Urology.