Review Articles in 2018

Current approaches to manage decompensated cirrhosis are based on targeted strategies aimed at preventing or treating specific complications of the disease. Here, Bernardi and Caraceni discuss the shift in focus from individual treatments targeting individual complications to disease-modifying agents able to slow the progression of decompensation.

Intraepithelial T cells (IETs) are a unique collection of T cells located at the epithelial barrier. This Review highlights the role of these cells in gut homeostasis and disease, including coeliac disease and IBD. Targeting of IETs in therapeutic interventions is also discussed.

Excess adiposity is a risk factor for many cancers of the gastrointestinal system. In this Review, the authors examine the epidemiological evidence of associations between obesity and gastrointestinal cancer risk and explore the potential mechanisms underlying these relationships.

Current effective treatment options for IBS and other functional bowel disorders are limited. This Review focuses on new and emerging therapies that target the entire symptom complex in these common disorders.

Multiple methods exist to induce liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma formation in mice. This Review provides an overview of different mouse models of hepatocellular carcinoma, discussing approaches to help choose an appropriate model and highlighting specific concepts for immunotherapy research.

Gastrointestinal symptoms related to motility and function are common. A broad overview on the clinical measurements and tests of gastrointestinal motility, function and sensitivity is provided in this Review, with insights into applications for patient management.

Mitochondria have many key roles, including in cellular metabolism and cell fate decision. This Review explores the role of mitochondrial function and metabolism in homeostasis of the intestinal epithelium in health and disease, highlighting the involvement of the mitochondrial unfolded protein response.

Growing evidence has associated the gut microbiota with the onset of inflammation, a common feature of both obesity and cancer. Here, Cani and Jordan review the links between the gut microbiota, metabolic disorders and the development of gastrointestinal cancer.

The combination of increasing disease prevalence and the prospect of approved pharmacological treatments has made the development of noninvasive biomarkers for NAFLD and NASH a research priority. In this Review, the authors comprehensively summarize the features of current and potential biochemical, imaging and genetic biomarkers.

Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) represent the most abundant non-parenchymal hepatic cell population. In this Review, the authors explore the key roles that LSECs have in regulating hepatic immunity and their contribution to immune-mediated disease, liver fibrosis and carcinogenesis.

Emerging data implicate diet as a crucial factor in the development and progression of IBD. Here, the authors discuss epidemiological, animal, gene–environment interaction and gut microbiome studies that have investigated the role of diet in the aetiopathogenesis of IBD.

Direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) have revolutionized the management of chronic hepatitis C, but their use in acute infection is unclear. This Review outlines the epidemiology, diagnosis and management of acute HCV infection, providing insights into the use of DAAs in at-risk populations (such as people who inject drugs).

Infant colic is a source of major distress for caregivers and the affected infant. In this Review, the authors explore the evidence for gastrointestinal, psychosocial, microbial and neurogenic factors in the pathogenesis of the condition. Diagnostic and management strategies are also discussed.

Attention has turned to the gut microbiota in liver disease, including alcoholic and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. This Review describes gut–liver communications, including evidence from animal and human studies, compares conditions within the liver disease spectrum and highlights key points for designing microbiome-based studies for liver disease research.

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is the progressive form of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, one of the most common chronic liver diseases. In this Review, the authors comprehensively discuss the key factors that trigger hepatic inflammation, as well as the pathways involved in inflammation resolution.

For decades, the 5-year survival for pancreatic cancer remained largely static. In this Review, the authors explore the improvements in pancreatic cancer treatment obtained in the past few years and discuss key questions related to the future development of new therapies.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in NAFLD. In this Review, the authors explore the evidence that NAFLD affects not only the coronary arteries but also all other cardiac structures, thereby potentially increasing risk of cardiomyopathy, cardiac arrhythmias, conduction defects and valvular calcification.

Biological network models can provide a scaffold for studying the biological pathways operating in connection with disease development. Here, the authors review how biological network models can integrate multiomics data to advance our understanding of complex liver diseases, which might lead to improved treatment strategies.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are a novel approach to cancer immunotherapy. However, they are associated with substantial risk of immune-related adverse events, including gastrointestinal toxicity. This Review explores the manifestations of gastrointestinal toxicity with immune checkpoint inhibitor use and insights into its management.

Elastography is the most accurate noninvasive approach to assess liver fibrosis in patients with NAFLD. Here, the authors discuss the benefits and limitations of various elastographic modalities, their role in the optimal management of NAFLD and directions for future research.