Hepatocyte transplantation: a review of worldwide clinical developments and experiences.
Hepatocyte transplantation is a promising treatment for several liver diseases and can also be used as a "bridge" to liver transplantation in cases of liver failure. Although the first animal experiments with this technique began in 1967, it was first applied in humans in 1992. Clearly, the most important advantage of this treatment, compared with liver transplantation, is its simplicity, since no surgery is required for implantation of the cells. Much work has been done over the years to maximize the number of viable hepatocytes that can be isolated from a liver, to prepare the cells prior to transplantation so that the outcome will be more successful, and to identify the optimal site for implantation. We review these efforts along with the worldwide clinical experience with hepatocyte transplantation during the last 13 years.
Division of Surgery, Hammersmith Hospital and 2Transplant Unit St. Mary's Hospital, London, UK.
Evangelos M
EM
Mazaris
Christos Th
CT
Roussos
Vassilios E
VE
Papalois
D000818:Animals; D002469:Cell Separation / Q000379:methods; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000637:transplantation*; D006801:Humans; D014021:Tissue Preservation / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome