Groundbreaking Clinical Trial: Growing Miniature Liver Inside Patients

Scientists attempt to grow miniature liver inside a person

An initial clinical trial to grow a new liver inside a person has commenced, marking a groundbreaking feat in medical science. The experimental treatment, conducted by biotech company LyGenesis, aims to provide a solution for end-stage liver disease patients who are in need of a transplant.

Key Takeaways:

• A biotech company, LyGenesis, has initiated a clinical trial to grow a new liver inside a person.
• The experimental treatment involves injecting donor cells into a patient's lymph nodes to stimulate liver growth.
• The procedure was carried out in Houston as part of a clinical trial involving 12 adults with end-stage liver disease.
• This innovative approach holds potential to alleviate the shortage of donor organs for liver transplants.

Analysis:

The groundbreaking clinical trial by LyGenesis offers a promising alternative to liver transplants, potentially addressing the shortage of donor organs for patients in need. The innovative utilization of lymph nodes as living bioreactors signifies a significant step forward in the field of regenerative medicine.

Do You Know?

• Hepatocytes are the most abundant cells in the liver and are isolated from discarded donor organs for the LyGenesis process.
• Lymph nodes, identified as the site for growing a new liver, possess the ability to expand and filter blood, making them a viable location for this innovative procedure.