Several recent studies have reported that hepatocyte-specific delivery of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) targeting FAS or caspase-8 in mice provided protection against FAS-mediated ALF and reduced the severity of liver fibrosis in a model of concanavalin A (ConA)-induced hepatitis.15, 16, 17 Although these strategies for prevention of liver damage are not likely to progress to the clinic because of problems associated with delivery, stability and off-target gene-silencing of siRNAs, they provide strong rationale for further investigation into targeting apoptosis for treatment of ALF. The gene discussed is FAS; the disease is hepatitis A virus infection.