Liver Disease | Stem Cells Australia
Condition
Liver Disease
The liver is the body’s main detoxifier, helping the body to get rid of many of the toxins or chemicals that are ingested, and also processes the alcohol we drink. The liver is the only internal organ in the human body capable of regenerating itself after being damaged.
In chronic liver disease, damage to the liver over long periods of time leads to a build-up of scar tissue that limits the ability of the liver to function and repair itself. The only treatment currently available is a liver transplant. Researchers have successfully used stem cells to make new liver cells in laboratories, which may potentially be used to treat liver disease in the future.
How could stem cells help?
Understanding the disease
Research is underway to gain a better understanding of the healthy liver. Researchers want to learn how stem cells in the liver are able to regenerate liver tissue. It may be possible to develop treatments that harness the natural ability of liver stem cells to regenerate the liver.
Developing new drugs
Scientists are also developing more effective ways to grow large numbers of liver cells (hepatocytes) from stem cells in the lab. Such research is not only useful for potential new therapies. In the shorter term, lab-grown liver cells are likely to play an important role in the development of new drugs and artificial liver support.
Replacing lost cells
Treatments using stem cells to create new liver cells for transplantation into the liver are being investigated. More work must be done to make sure that the liver cells created are safe and reliable.
What are the challenges?
When undergoing a liver transplant, a donor liver is placed into the body of a recipient. There is a risk that the body might not recognize the transplanted liver and see the cells as potentially harmful. This may trigger the patient’s immune system to attack the transplanted cells – a process known as ‘transplant rejection’. Liver transplants require patients to take drugs that suppress the immune system so the body doesn’t reject the transplant.
During this time, the patient’s body will be more open to other infections or colds, as the immune system isn’t working as well. Researchers are looking for new ways to make transplants of all kinds more resistant to immune rejection.
Many stem cell treatments could potentially avoid the issue of immune rejection; however a great amount of work must still be carried out to make sure that stem cell treatments create reliable and predictable liver cells that are safe for transplantation in large enough quantities.
Where can I find out more about clinical trials?
There are a number of sites that list clinical trials, including the clinicaltrials.gov registry. Please note that the scientific justification for the intervention and the credentials of those offering the service may have NOT been fully evaluated by this registry. Your findings may include listings that are NOT legitimate clinical trials. Please consult with your medical specialist or general practitioner as they are best placed to advise you on whether you would be a good candidate for a trial given your circumstances.
Please note: Although some clinics may claim to already offer stem cell treatments for various forms of liver disease, there are serious questions about the scientific rationale and the safety of many of these approaches. Currently, there are no proven, safe and effective stem cell treatments for this condition available in Australia, the EU, US or elsewhere.