I have had this article for awhile and thought I should share it with people who need it. A hospital in London was 60% successful at regenerating failed livers in a Phase I trial. This was quite awhile ago and much has happened in the stem cell world. I haven't heard if this clinic has done anything new, but as far as I know, their trials are continuing. Sure beats getting a liver transplant.
Zee
Subject: Liver failure patients get own stem cells
Date: Thu, 6 Oct 2005 10:28:39 -0700
Liver failure patients get own stem cells
LONDON, Oct. 5 (UPI) -- Imperial College London physicians say they've
successfully treated patients suffering liver failure by using the patients'
own bone marrow stem cells.
The doctors said they extracted the stem cells from the patients' blood and
then, in turn, injected the cells into blood vessels connected to the liver.
Within two months, the liver function and general health of three of the
five patients improved significantly, according to a report in New Scientist
magazine. The two patients who did not respond showed no ill-effects from
the treatment.
Researchers said the stem cells appeared to home in on damaged areas of the
liver and make repairs, although the process involved is not yet fully
understood.
The study was led by Dr. Nagy Habib, an Imperal College London surgeon.
Habib hopes to conduct a follow-up trial on 18 more liver patients, the
Scotsman reported Wednesday.
Zee
Subject: Liver failure patients get own stem cells
Date: Thu, 6 Oct 2005 10:28:39 -0700
Liver failure patients get own stem cells
LONDON, Oct. 5 (UPI) -- Imperial College London physicians say they've
successfully treated patients suffering liver failure by using the patients'
own bone marrow stem cells.
The doctors said they extracted the stem cells from the patients' blood and
then, in turn, injected the cells into blood vessels connected to the liver.
Within two months, the liver function and general health of three of the
five patients improved significantly, according to a report in New Scientist
magazine. The two patients who did not respond showed no ill-effects from
the treatment.
Researchers said the stem cells appeared to home in on damaged areas of the
liver and make repairs, although the process involved is not yet fully
understood.
The study was led by Dr. Nagy Habib, an Imperal College London surgeon.
Habib hopes to conduct a follow-up trial on 18 more liver patients, the
Scotsman reported Wednesday.