
Theme Issue: Advances in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Wilson Disease
Executive Chief Editor: ZHENG Sujun
Beijing YouAn Hospital, Capital Medical University
Wilson disease (WD) is a disorder of copper metabolism caused by mutations in the ATP7B gene. Traditional diagnosis mainly relies on the Leipzig scoring system, while copper chelators and zinc preparations are mainly used for treatment. In recent years, the continuous emergence of various techniques has provided additional tools for the early detection and disease assessment of WD, such as novel assays targeting non-ceruloplasmin-bound copper, immunohistochemistry for metallothionein in liver tissue, and 64Cu positron emission tomography-computed tomography imaging. Meanwhile, the new formulation trientine tetrahydrochloride and the potential novel agent methanobactin provide new drugs for safe and efficient copper removal, and gene therapy has brought new hope for clinical cure of WD. This article systematically reviews the recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of WD, discusses their advantages and limitations in a real-world setting, and proposes new ideas for future clinical practice and research.
This article systematically reviews and compares the major international English consensus statements/guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of Wilson disease published since 2022, with a focus on the recommendations from multidisciplinary expert consensus statements/guidelines. These consensus statements/guidelines mainly include the multidisciplinary treatment guidelines issued by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases in 2022, the clinical practice guidelines released by the European Union (European Association for the Study of the Liver/European Reference Network) in 2025, and the practice guidelines published by the British Association for Studies of the Liver in 2022, and comparative analysis and summarization were performed with reference to the 2025 edition of Chinese Multidisciplinary Expert Consensus on Orphan/Anticopper Drugs and Other Non-drug Management of Hepatolenticular Degeneration (CMEC-HLD). Overall, the core content remained basically consistent between the guidelines of the European Union, the US, and the UK and CMEC-HLD, while many details varied due to the differences in experiences and research advances across these countries. Globally, there is still a lack of truly meaningful medical guideline for Wilson disease driven by evidence-based medicine, which requires further research and international cooperation among peers in the future.
Wilson disease (WD) is characterized by marked heterogeneity in clinical phenotype, and it often overlaps with liver diseases (such as cholestatic liver diseases and active hepatitis) and neuropsychiatric diseases, which may easily lead to misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis. This article focuses on the confusing scenarios in clinical practice, reviews the pathophysiological basis of ATPase copper transporting beta (ATP7B) gene dysfunction, and systematically elaborates on the key interpretation points and limitations of ceruloplasmin, total serum copper/non-ceruloplasmin-bound copper, 24-hour urinary copper excretion, D-penicillamine challenge test, hepatic copper quantification, and histopathological assessment across different clinical scenarios. This article also summarizes the potential application of emerging dynamic copper indicators, such as relative exchangeable copper, in diagnosis, family screening, and treatment monitoring. In addition, it discusses the role of ATP7B genetic testing in “gray-zone” cases, difficulties in interpreting variants of uncertain significance, and the features of mutation spectrum in Chinese population, as well as the potential decline in diagnostic performance of the Leipzig scoring system in the context of complex liver diseases. Overall, the diagnosis of WD should not rely on a single indicator, and it is recommended to adopt a multidimensional hierarchical decision-making pathway that integrates phenotype, biochemical tests, dynamic copper indices, tissue/genetic evidence, and scoring systems. Furthermore, key thresholds and workflows should be optimized using real-world data from China, so as to enhance the efficiency of early identification and familial management, thereby improving the long-term prognosis of patients.
Wilson disease (WD) is a hereditary disorder of copper metabolism characterized by abnormal copper accumulation in tissues, including the liver and brain, which leads to severe hepatic and neurological damage. This disease is often accompanied by lipid metabolism abnormalities, and the exploration of related mechanisms has attracted increasing attention. This article introduces the clinical features of lipid metabolism disorders in WD patients, summarizes the research advances in the serum levels of lipids and hepatic steatosis, analyzes the potential mechanisms of the interaction between copper and lipid metabolism, and highlights the significance of lipid-related molecules in disease diagnosis and clinical evaluation. In clinical practice, the monitoring and assessment of lipid metabolism parameters should be taken seriously in patients with WD, in order to promote comprehensive disease management and improve the prognosis of patients.
Wilson disease (WD) is an autosomal recessive disorder of copper metabolism, and decoppering therapy and symptomatic treatment are the main Western medicine therapies for WD. This article systematically reviews the understanding of the etiology and pathogenesis of WD in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and points out that abnormal natural endowment is the core etiology and pathogenesis of WD, with internal accumulation of copper toxicity as the manifestation, liver/spleen/kidney dysfunction as the root cause, and intermingled “toxin, stasis, phlegm, and deficiency” as the key pathogenesis. Literature research and clinical observation are conducted to summarize the common TCM syndromes of WD, including stagnation of liver Qi, internal retention of damp-heat, phlegm-stasis-heat accumulation syndrome, liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome, spleen-kidney Yang deficiency, and syndrome of deficiency damage and phlegm stasis. This article proposes the corresponding therapies and representative prescriptions for each syndrome and discusses the advantages of treatment by stage and integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine therapy. This article aims to provide a systematic reference for the syndrome differentiation-based treatment of WD in clinical practice of TCM, thereby giving full play to the advantages of TCM in the treatment of this disease.
Wilson disease (WD) is one of the few treatable neurogenetic disorders. Currently, Western medicine remains the main treatment method for WD, while since the 1990s, multiple studies conducted by Professor Yang Renmin and his team have shown that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) also has a favorable therapeutic effect. Based on the principle of low-copper diet for WD, this article systematically elaborates on the advantages, limitations, and key considerations of current Western medicine therapies (pharmacotherapy, liver transplantation, and splenectomy) and reviews the research findings of TCM in China, especially the wide application of Gandou Decoction in clinical practice. Studies have shown that Gandou Decoction can effectively improve neurological symptoms, protect hepatic and renal function, and avoid the adverse drug reactions associated with metal chelating agents, and therefore, it can be used an effective long-term adjuvant therapy for WD. It should be noted that symptoms and signs should be considered in integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine therapy for WD, and high-copper TCM drugs should be avoided to prevent deterioration.
Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a syndrome of acute liver function decompensation in patients with chronic liver disease and is characterized by a high short-term mortality rate. Liver transplantation is an effective radical treatment method for ACLF and can significantly improve the survival rate of patients. However, in the context of a shortage of donor organs globally, how to achieve a balance between saving lives and avoiding futile transplantation while optimizing organ utilization is a critical challenge in clinical decision-making. This article systematically reviews the evolution of the evaluation and decision-making system for liver transplantation in ACLF patients and points out s that the core of this system has shifted from relying solely on the MELD score to a model based on multidimensional prognostic assessment, dynamic evaluation, and multidisciplinary collaboration. In the future, the integration of Eastern and Western criteria, the application of artificial intelligence for precise prediction, and the establishment of a more equitable priority and allocation system will be the key directions for development in this field.
Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) has become the leading cause of chronic liver disease in China, and it is closely intertwined with various metabolic disorders such as cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes, collectively constituting a complex systemic condition. Current clinical practice still faces the challenges including non-standardized application of screening and risk stratification tools, and a lack of multidisciplinary collaboration mechanisms, which lead to inefficient holistic management of MAFLD and significant variability in prognosis. To address these challenges, this study developed a scientific, systematic, and operable clinical pathway for hierarchical diagnosis and treatment and holistic management of MAFLD based on the Hepatology Specialty Alliance framework. The core components of this pathway include the following aspects: establishing dual-dimensional diagnostic criteria based on imaging and metabolic abnormalities; defining the non-invasive fibrosis-4 index as the key node for initial risk stratification within the alliance, combined with liver stiffness measurement for precise patient triage; systematically formulating bidirectional referral indications and collaborative workflows among hepatology, endocrinology, cardiology, and nutrition departments; integrating evidence-based pharmacological therapy and traditional Chinese medicine adjuvant strategies on the basis of intensified lifestyle intervention. Furthermore, this study prospectively proposes a framework for an intelligent management platform characterized by data-driven decision-making, smart early warning, and whole-course follow-up. This clinical pathway aims to provide standardized MAFLD management tools for healthcare institutions at all levels within the Hepatology Specialty Alliance system, and it seeks to promote a shift from the model of “diagnosis and treatment of a single liver disease” to a paradigm of “integrated management of multi-system comorbidities”, in order to reduce the risk of liver diseases and cardiovascular endpoint events and improve the long-term prognosis of patients.
In 2025, European Association for the Study of the Liver published the clinical practice guidelines on vascular diseases of the liver. The guidelines comprehensively elaborate on the vascular diseases of the liver from the aspects of risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment strategies, in order to provide guidance for the management of patients with these conditions based on the best evidence available. This article gives an excerpt of the recommendations and guidance statements in the clinical practice guidelines.
Cirrhotic portal hypertension is a clinical syndrome caused by persistently elevated portal venous pressure due to liver cirrhosis and can lead to a series of complications, among which esophagogastric variceal bleeding has become one of the most severe complications due to sudden onset and a high mortality rate. Since the release of Expert consensus on diagnosis and treatment of esophagogastric variceal bleeding in cirrhotic portal hypertension (2019 edition), significant advances have been achieved in this field in China and globally. In order to formulate an expert consensus aligned with the situation of China, Chinese Society of Surgery, Chinese Medical Association organized and compiled Expert Consensus on diagnosis and treatment of esophagogastric variceal bleeding in cirrhotic portal hypertension (2025 edition). This article elaborates on the key updates in the new edition and explores the major differences between the old and new editions, in order to enhance the understanding of the new edition among clinicians and provide a reference for clinicians in clinical work.
Rotor syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder of bilirubin metabolism, and it is difficult to diagnose and differentiate due to its extreme rarity and a lack of specific clinical manifestations. In recent years, the development of genetic testing technology has enabled the early diagnosis of atypical patients. Literature search shows that only 19 cases with detailed clinical and genetic data have been reported. This article reports a case of a pregnant woman with an increase in direct bilirubin during pregnancy who was diagnosed with Rotor syndrome based on a bi-allelic mutation in the SLCO1B1 and SLCO1B3 genes and delivered successfully at last, and a retrospective analysis was performed for related articles, in order to facilitate the early accurate diagnosis of patients with Rotor syndrome and guide medications from the perspective of genetic mechanisms.
Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and its progressive form metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) have become the leading causes of chronic liver diseases worldwide, and the incidence rate of MAFLD continues to rise, which is closely associated with metabolic disorders such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. The core pathogenesis of MAFLD involves insulin resistance, abnormal lipid metabolism, and chronic inflammation, which can progress to MASH and lead to liver fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, and even hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). At present, there are still limited effective pharmacotherapies for MAFLD. Based on the PRISMA guidelines, this article systematically reviews the role of statins in MAFLD. Studies have shown that statins not only improve blood lipid profiles and the levels of liver enzyme, but also bring good benefits to patients comorbid with cardiovascular disease or type 2 diabetes, and long-term use can also reduce the risk of HCC. However, the potential risks of hepatotoxicity and myopathy should be taken seriously, which, therefore, requires individualized medication and regular monitoring of liver function in clinical practice.
With the improvement of living standards, the incidence rate of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is gradually increasing with a younger age of onset, and MAFLD has become a global health problem, while its specific pathogenesis remains unclear. Macrophages, as one of the important cells involved in the pathogenesis of MAFLD, have the ability to present antigens, eliminate pathogenic microorganisms, and promote liver inflammatory responses, thereby attracting wide attention for a long time. The latest studies have shown that macrophages may become a new therapeutic target for MAFLD. This article systematically reviews the role of intrahepatic macrophages in liver inflammation caused by MAFLD, including their activation, polarization, recruitment mechanisms, and interactions with other cells, in order to provide new ideas and perspectives for the clinical prevention and treatment of MAFLD.
Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is one of the most prevalent chronic liver diseases worldwide, and currently there is still a lack of effective therapies. Bacteriophages are an important component of gut microbiota, and recent studies have shown that bacteriophages play a pivotal role in the pathological progression of MAFLD by reshaping microbiota structure, modulating intestinal barrier function, and regulating gut-liver axis signaling. Studies have also shown that there is a reduction in the diversity of bacteriophages in MAFLD patients, and the abundance of specific bacteriophages is closely associated with disease severity. The underlying mechanisms of bacteriophages involve the regulation of intestinal barrier, targeted clearance of pathogenic bacteria, promotion of the colonization of probiotic bacteria, and modulation of immune responses and the release of inflammatory cytokines. Animal models and preclinical trials have shown that targeted bacteriophage intervention strategies are expected to alleviate liver inflammation, improve steatosis, and ameliorate metabolic disorders. However, there are still challenges such as drug resistance of bacteriophage, the complexity of host-bacteriophage interactions, and safety issues in clinical translation. This article systematically elaborates on the regulatory mechanisms of bacteriophages in MAFLD and their application prospects in treatment, in order to provide a theoretical reference for future research and the development of bacteriophage-based therapies in this field.
Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) has become an important tool for the diagnosis and staging of fibrosis in metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), and its high diagnostic accuracy can help to effectively evaluate the dynamic changes and long-term prognosis of fibrosis in patients with MAFLD. In addition, MRE also shows wide potential in patient screening and outcome assessment in new drug development for metabolic-associated steatohepatitis. This article comprehensively analyzes the potential value of MRE in evaluating liver fibrosis in MAFLD patients, as well as its advantages in clinical practice and future development directions.
Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is an autoimmune liver disease characterized by intrahepatic cholestasis, while fatigue is a common symptom of PBC that significantly affects the quality of life of patients. The pathogenesis of fatigue is complex and may be associated with the factors such as cholestasis-induced inflammation, gut microbiota dysbiosis, brain structural and functional abnormalities, and mitochondrial dysfunction. At present, first-line therapies and liver transplantation have a limited effect in alleviating fatigue, and there is still a lack of standardized comprehensive assessment system. Emerging drugs and non-pharmaceutical interventions, including lifestyle modifications, have shown potential application prospects. This article systematically reviews the research advances in the clinical manifestations, pathogenesis, clinical assessment, and intervention of fatigue in PBC patients, in order to provide a reference for optimizing treatment strategies and promoting the research and development of new therapies.
Ten-eleven translocation 2 (TET2), as a core enzyme in epigenetic regulation, dynamically regulates the differentiation and function of CD4+ T cells by mediating DNA demethylation. Recent studies have shown that TET2 deficiency can promote the progression of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) by disrupting the Th17/Treg balance and activating inflammatory signals along the gut-liver axis. This article systematically reviews the bridging role of TET2 between CD4+ T cells and gut microbiota, explores the molecular mechanisms by which it drives AIH through the gut microbiota-epigenetics-immunity network, and discusses the potential intervention strategies targeting the TET2-microbiota axis.
Hepatic fibrosis is a reversible pathological process in various chronic liver diseases and is closely associated with the development and progression of severe liver diseases such as liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, and it has emerged as a significant global health challenge. In recent years, studies have shown that histone lactylation, a newly discovered epigenetic modification, actively participates in regulating the progression of hepatic fibrosis. This article systematically reviews the core regulatory effect of histone lactylation modification in the interaction between inflammatory microenvironment and hepatic fibrosis, in order to clarify the cascade regulatory mechanism of “inflammation-hepatic fibrosis” and provide new insights for early diagnosis, targeted intervention, and prevention of malignant transformation in hepatic fibrosis.
Liver fibrosis is the core pathological stage of the progression of various chronic liver diseases to liver cirrhosis, and hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation and the abnormal accumulation of collagen fibers are important processes for the development and progression of liver fibrosis. In recent years, studies have shown that HSC activation is regulated by the complex interactions between various organelles (including mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosome, and peroxisomes), and such interactions affect the key cellular processes such as energy metabolism, protein synthesis and folding, reactive oxygen species balance, and autophagy, thereby participating in the progression of liver fibrosis. Meanwhile, traditional Chinese medicine and its active ingredients with multi-target synergistic effects have attracted wide attention. From the perspective of the interaction between organelles, this article systematically elaborates on the specific mechanism of such interactions in the progression of liver fibrosis and reviews how traditional Chinese medicine inhibits HSC activation and collagen production by regulating the function of these organelle and their interaction networks, thereby exerting an anti-liver fibrosis effect, in order to provide a theoretical basis for in-depth understanding of the pathological mechanism of liver fibrosis and the development of new traditional Chinese medicine intervention strategies.
Liver cirrhosis is the final stage of the progression of various chronic liver diseases, often accompanied by serious complications and high mortality rates. Recent studies have shown that the interaction between gut microbiota and bile acid metabolism (the gut microbiota-bile acid axis) is closely associated with liver cirrhosis. This article systematically reviews the mechanism of action of the gut microbiota-bile acid axis in the progression of liver cirrhosis, elaborates on the pathological features of liver cirrhosis and its harm to the body, and summarizes the association of the gut microbiota-bile acid axis with the development and progression of liver cirrhosis. It also analyzes the key regulatory role of this axis in the progression of liver cirrhosis and explores its potential application value as a therapeutic target for liver cirrhosis, in order to provide a theoretical basis for exploring more effective clinical intervention methods.
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant tumor with a high fatality rate worldwide, with limited overall survival benefits and pronounced drug resistance issues, highlighting the urgent need for novel sensitization strategies and patient stratification systems. Ferroptosis, as an iron-dependent form of lipid peroxidation-driven cell death, is closely associated with tumor treatment responses. In addition to the classic glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4)/glutathione (GSH) pathway, the ferroptosis suppressor protein 1 (FSP1)-coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) pathways and the dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) pathway are two newly identified anti-ferroptosis pathways that function at the plasma membrane and mitochondria, respectively, and determine cellular sensitivity to ferroptosis in synergy with GPX4. This article systematically reviews the mechanism of action of the FSP1-CoQ10 and DHODH pathways in HCC and related research advances, proposes related therapeutic strategies, and look forward to its clinical translation and application prospects.
Ductular reaction (DR) refers to the adaptive pathological changes that occur after hepatobiliary injury, and it is essentially a repair response involving the proliferation, fibrosis, and inflammation of biliary epithelial cell (BEC). With the understanding of the biological function of BEC, the potential value of DR in disease prognosis and treatment has gradually become a research hotspot. This article systematically reviews the molecular mechanism of DR, its potential as a therapeutic target, and future development directions, as well as novel therapies suggested by targeting these molecular mechanisms, in order to provide a new direction for overcoming current bottlenecks in the treatment of bile duct diseases.
Both hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis and fatty liver disease are associated with lipid metabolism disorders and are commonly comorbid with each other in clinical practice. The pathogenesis of such comorbidity involves the interaction between multiple factors such as hypertriglyceridemia, metabolic syndrome, obesity, and insulin resistance, and these factors may form a vicious cycle and jointly promote disease progression. In clinical practice, hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis is characterized by severe disease conditions, a high incidence rate of complications, a high mortality rate, and a tendency for recurrence, and it can easily lead to multi-organ damage and even multiple organ failure without timely treatment, posing a serious threat to the life of patients. Starting from the various signaling pathways associated with hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis comorbid with fatty liver disease, this article discusses the potential molecular mechanisms of synergistic pathogenesis between hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis and fatty liver disease, so as to provide a reference for the early prevention and treatment of such comorbidity.
Top View Top DownloadMore>
- 1Current situation in the research of Gilbert’s syndrome
- 2Review of acute pancreatitis scoring systems
- 3Clinical value of 13C-methacetin breath test for assessing liver function in patients with cirrhosis
- 4Studies on relevant gactors of Child-Pugh grading in hepatic cirrhosis
- 5Meta-analysis of 111 patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis-associated hepatocellular carcinoma
- 6Relationship between Epstein-Barr virus infection and hepatic lesions in children
- 7Research state and prospect of hyponatremia in cirrhosis
- 8Congenital bile acid synthesis defect and cholestatic liver disease
- 9Interventional treatment for Budd-Chiari syndrome:reports of 883 cases
- 10
- 1The guideline of prevention and treatment for chronic hepatitis B: a 2015 update
- 2Chinese guidelines for the management of acute pancreatitis ( Shenyang , 2019 )
- 3The guideline of prevention and treatment for chronic hepatitis B(2010 version)
- 4Current situation in the research of Gilbert’s syndrome
- 5Comprehensive guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer (2018 version)
- 6Consensus on the diagnosis and management of primary biliary cirrhosis (cholangitis)(2015)
- 7Diagnosis, management, and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (V2017)
- 8
- 9Consensus on the diagnosis and management of autoimmune hepatitis(2015)
- 10Guidelines for the prevention and treatment of chronic hepatitis B (version 2019)
International Database
-
-
荷兰《医学文摘(网络版)》(Embase)(2023—) -
荷兰《文摘与引文索引》(Scopus)(2021—) -
美国《化学文摘(网络版)》(CA)来源期刊(2011—) -
瑞士《健康网络首创研究获取》(HINARI)来源期刊(1985—) -
美国《艾博思科数据库》(Eh,EBSCOhost)来源期刊(2013—) -
英国《欧洲学术出版中心数据库》(EuroPub)来源期刊(2024—) -
英国《国际农业与生物科学研究中心》(CABI)来源期刊(2011—) -
《日本科学技术振兴机构数据库(中国)》(JSTChina)来源期刊(2018—) -
世界卫生组织《西太平洋地区医学索引(WPRIM)》来源期刊(2016—) -
美国《剑桥科学文摘》(CSA)来源期刊(2011—) -
俄罗斯《文摘杂志》(AJ,VINITI)来源期刊(2013—) -
美国《乌利希期刊指南(网络版)》(Ulrichsweb)注册期刊(2018—) -
波兰《哥白尼索引》(ICI)来源期刊(2011—)

Abstract
HTML
PDF (652KB)





