“Year-EndAnnual Review | Professor Jia JidongDr. Jidong Jia: Latest Developments in the Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary Biliary Cholangitis”

2024.03.13
Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) is an autoimmune liver disease that predominantly affects middle-aged women. The exact cause and mechanism of its onset are not yet fully understood. It is thought to be related to genetic factors and their interaction with environmental factors leading to immune dysregulation. Currently, there are few effective medications available for clinical treatment. However, ongoing basic and clinical research has been shedding light on the role of bile acid metabolism, nuclear receptors, surface receptors, and transport proteins in the development and progression of PBC, leading to encouraging progress in new drug development. In this issue, we have invited Professor Jia JidongDr. Jidong Jia from the Capital Medical University affiliated Beijing Friendship Hospital to share the latest advancements in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of PBC.

“Annual Review | Professor Yang MingDr. Ming Yang: Latest Developments in Systemic Treatment of Biliary Tract Cancer”

2024.03.12
In the field of biliary tract cancer (BTC) treatment, significant advancements have been made recently. BTC is a highly heterogeneous group of malignancies originating from the epithelium of the bile ducts, presenting challenges in treatment and typically leading to short survival periods for patients. Traditionally, the primary treatment for advanced BTC has been chemotherapy. However, recent developments in immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy as a first-line treatment have shown promise. Additionally, a deeper understanding of the genomic and proteomic characteristics of biliary tumors has led to a clearer classification of molecular subtypes and the discovery of several molecular biomarkers. This has spurred active research in targeted therapies for second-line BTC treatment, significantly altering the treatment landscape for this condition.
Annual Review |Dr. Haitao Zhao: Molecular Characteristics, Diagnosis and Treatment, and New Drug Progress and Exploration Prospects in Biliary Tract Cancer

Annual Review |Dr. Haitao Zhao: Molecular Characteristics, Diagnosis and Treatment, and New Drug Progress and Exploration Prospects in Biliary Tract Cancer

2024.03.12
Editor's Note: Although biliary tract cancer (BTC) is relatively rare, it has a higher incidence in the Southeast Asian population, with 50% of patients already in advanced stages at diagnosis and a survival period of less than one year. Its impact cannot be ignored. In 2023, China saw the approval and market launch of the first-line immunotherapy for BTC, instilling confidence in clinical treatment and ushering in a new era of research exploration. To shed light on this, our journal invited Dr. Haitao Zhao, Director of the Hepatology Department at Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, to review the latest developments in the molecular characteristics, clinical diagnosis and treatment, and new drug research of BTC. He also provides a macroscopic perspective, outlining directions worth exploring, such as precision and personalized treatment. Additionally, he selects three promising treatment clues, aiming to provide important guidance for future clinical practice and research exploration.

Annual Review | Dr. Guiqiang Wang: Pursuing Clinical Cure for Hepatitis B, Focusing on Advances in New Drug Development

2024.03.12
Antiviral therapy is the primary treatment strategy for chronic hepatitis B (CHB), aiming to inhibit HBV replication, alleviate liver cell inflammation and fibrosis, and reduce the risk of liver failure, decompensated cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, there is currently no treatment that can completely clear covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) in infected liver cells, which is a major obstacle to achieving clinical cure for CHB. In recent years, with the continuous development and clinical trials of new drugs targeting different points, exploration of new treatment strategies for the clinical cure of CHB is gradually progressing. To this end, this journal invited Dr. Guiqiang Wang from the Department of Infectious Diseases at Peking University First Hospital to share the latest developments in the field of new drug development for the clinical cure of CHB over the past year.
Anticoagulant Therapy for Acute Pancreatitis-Related Splanchnic Vein Thrombosis

Anticoagulant Therapy for Acute Pancreatitis-Related Splanchnic Vein Thrombosis

2024.03.12
The "Hepatology Digest - Liver Vascular Disease Column" is an academic column initiated by Dr. Qixing Shun from the Department of Gastroenterology, Northern Theater General Hospital, in response to the invitation of the editorial department of "Hepatology Digest". It regularly collects and organizes research progress in the field of hepatic vascular diseases. Every two weeks (Wednesday), an important literature is selected for in-depth discussion, aiming to help readers understand the rationale behind clinical research, inspiring clinical and scientific thinking.
Dr. LangBai: The Impact and Mechanism of TmPV1 Fungivirus on Talaromyces Marneffei Virulence

Dr. LangBai: The Impact and Mechanism of TmPV1 Fungivirus on Talaromyces Marneffei Virulence

2024.02.19
Over the years, significant progress has been made in the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS and co-infections. Society has provided the best medications and professional knowledge to combat HIV infections, making substantial contributions to those affected. From June 8th to 10th, 2023, the Asia-Pacific AIDS and Co-Infections Conference (APACC 2023) was held in Singapore. In this issue, we are honored to invite Dr. Lang Bai, Deputy Director of the Infectious Diseases Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, China, to share with us the latest research on Talaromyces marneffei infection, a common fungal disease among AIDS patients and other immunocompromised individuals in Southeast Asia.