06/07/2025
Researchers at the University of Sunderland have unveiled two promising drugs, DR-3 and FDR2, that could potentially reverse liver fibrosis, a condition that affects over two million people in the UK alone. These compounds work by inhibiting HDAC6, a key enzyme responsible for driving inflammation and fibrotic scar formation in the liver. In lab tests and on ex vivo human liver slices, the drugs significantly reduced fibrosis markers without toxicity, a major milestone in liver disease research.
This discovery offers new hope for patients suffering from chronic liver disease, especially those who are diagnosed too late for effective intervention. Backed by the British Liver Trust, the research suggests that these drugs might do more than just halt progression—they may actually heal damaged liver tissue. While human trials are still pending, the potential impact is groundbreaking.
