Liver Stem Cell Treatments

There are still several issues when it comes to implanting stem cells in human livers, and scientists say that current problems have been related to immunological reactions against the cells as well as difficulty with how to introduce the stem cells into the liver.

In the United States, Dr. Fausto and his team of research scientists are trying to identify stem cells in human livers that could be used to help people with liver failure. They are hoping to find a cell that is a stem cell for the liver, and to inject those cells and repopulate livers that have been injured. "The idea is if you could have cells that could be introduced into the patient, it could either be a permanent solution to help the liver regenerate itself or at least serve as a bridge until transplantation can be done" says Dr. Fausto.

In May 2005, a research team at London's Hammersmith Hospital did a trial using patients' own stem cells to treat their chronic liver disease. They were attempting to reverse cirrhosis of the liver by harnessing and enhancing the body's own repair mechanism. They used adult stem cells extracted from patients' bone marrow to generate new tissue in damaged areas. It involved taking blood from the patient and separating it into its component parts. Stem cells were isolated from the white blood cells and injected into the hepatic artery in the liver, while the red blood cells were returned to the body through the arm. The outcome of this is currently unknown.

A Japanese group was also testing adult stem cells as a treatment for liver fibrosis. We will keep this article up to date as developments become known.

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Name

Email

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (Registered users only)

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Add Comment