Among diseases of the liver, hepatitis and liver cirrhosis are among the most difficult to treat. Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that is caused by various viruses and other factors. Over time, hepatitis seriously damages the liver and can eventually lead to hospitalization and even death. There are at least six different strains of the hepatitis virus, including hepatitis A, B, C, D, E and G. Hepatitis B and C are considered the most serious and common. Environmental factors, such as alcohol consumption, can worsen the course of hepatitis. Excess alcohol consumption, in and of itself, can also damage the liver, and lead to fatty liver, fibrosis and cirrhosis.          

Current Mainstream Treatment Options Unfortunately, the efficacy of even the most advanced current therapies for chronic viral hepatitis is low. For example, current antiviral interferon therapies result in sustained elimination of the hepatitis C virus in patients 20 to 90 percent of the time, depending on the subtype of the virus and patient factors. Hepatitis C is associated with liver cirrhosis 40 percent of the time, liver cancer 65 percent of the time, and the need for liver transplantation 30 percent of the time.  Unfortunately the great discrepancy between the availability of healthy, viable organs and    the large number of patients needing a liver transplant puts this option out of reach for most patients. Socio-medical problems related to liver transplantation - currently the only treatment for patients at the terminal phase of illness - are well known. For example, because of the shortage of donated livers, over 50 percent of patients on the waiting list die while waiting for transplantation surgery.          

HOW STEM CELL TRANSPLANT THERAPY HELPS

Therapy with liver stem cells has potential to help regenerate liver function in patients with liver disorders. Stem cells have been shown to mature into liver cells, and to integrate into the livers of animals following liver injury and in animal models of acute liver insufficiency. Animal studies have also shown stem cells to inhibit lipid peroxidation and other chemical markers of toxicity, activate tissue repair and oxidative protection, and increase cell regeneration after experimental forms of acute hepatitis and hepatic injury.                     

The ability of stem cells transplant to cause tissue regeneration in the liver may extend the life of the patient long enough for a transplant to become available, in effect, saving the life of the patient.