Liver Cirrhosis — Stem Cell Therapy for Liver Cirrhosis: treatment in the Best Hospitals of Germany

Stem cells (SCs) are used in almost all fields of medicine. Gastroenterology is no exception. In developed countries doctors increasingly use stem cells for liver cirrhosis, as they contribute to partial recovery of the damaged organ, as well as improve its function and reduce the risk of complications. So far, SCs are not used as a standard method, so they are not widely available, but certain medical centers are already using SCs. You can undergo stem cell therapy for cirrhosis of the liver in Germany by making an appointment through Booking Health.

Content

1. What SCs are used for cirrhosis of the liver
2. Is the effectiveness of the SCs proven in cirrhosis
3. How cirrhosis is treated with stem cells
4. Where to receive this novel treatment

What SCs are used for cirrhosis of the liver

Liver diseases kill more than 2 million people worldwide annually. Of these, cirrhosis accounts for half of the cases. This disease is extremely difficult to treat with standard methods. The only way to achieve a good outcome is usually through liver transplantation, but due to poor physical condition and a shortage of donor material, only a few patients are considered candidates for this operation.

SCs are expected to significantly improve the results of treatment. They can be of different types, but mesenchymal cells are most often used in hepatobiliary pathologies. They have low immunogenicity, good immunomodulation, migration to the site of damage and the ability to repair tissues. Obtaining such cells has fewer ethical problems, which makes it easier for doctors to conduct clinical trials and introduce SCs into clinical practice.

Is the effectiveness of the SCs proven in cirrhosis

Preclinical studies have shown that SCs improve liver function without evident side effects, and reduce the risk of cirrhosis complications such as:

• Ascites
• Liver encephalopathy
• Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
• Liver failure

Dozens of clinical trials have already been conducted, which confirm the positive effect of cell therapy on the course of cirrhosis. In 2022, a meta-analysis of 11 studies was published, 7 of which used bone marrow mesenchymal SCs. In 10 studies, the cells were injected into the hepatic artery or portal vein. The scientists concluded that the SCs reduced the risk of death from cirrhosis and also reduced the risk of liver cancer. The cell therapy also reduced the severity of portal hypertension, potentially reducing ascites. The effect of the therapy depends on the number of cells administered: the higher the dose, the better the therapeutic outcome.

At the same time, SCs are not yet a standard treatment option for cirrhosis. There is still a lot of research to be done to determine the optimal cell types, delivery methods, ways of administration, doses, frequency of infusions, patient selection criteria, and other factors before SCs can be included into the clinical protocols for cirrhotic patients. But you don't have to wait several years for SCs to be approved. Right now you can sign up for stem cell treatment for liver cirrhosis in Germany, as this technique is already being used in selected specialized centers in developed countries.

How cirrhosis is treated with stem cells

Treatment approaches vary considerably from clinic to clinic. Most often, cells are obtained from bone marrow, less often – from the patient's peripheral blood or other tissues. But the biggest differences are in the way of SCі administration. There are only four of them:

• Into the hepatic artery
• Into the portal vein
• Into the peripheral (ulnar) vein
• Into the peritoneal cavity

Studies have shown that portal vein administration is risky, bleeding is frequent, and intraperitoneal administration is ineffective. Therefore, the two most common ways of delivering SCs to the liver are infusion into the hepatic artery and intravenous administration.

Although injection into the peripheral vein is technically easier, fewer SCs end up reaching the liver because some of them travel to other organs. Inserting SCs into the hepatic artery requires an X-ray surgical procedure, and is done through a small incision in the leg or arm. This is technically more difficult, which affects treatment prices, but more SCs go directly to the liver, so better therapeutic results can be expected.

Where to receive this novel treatment

To check the cost of stem cell therapy for liver cirrhosis in Germany and make an appointment in one of the German clinics, you can use the Booking Health service. Here you can find the best foreign hospitals that use innovative methods of liver cirrhosis treatment. The Booking Health team will help you to choose a clinic, reduce the average cost of treatment by excluding fees for foreign patients and organize your trip to Germany.

Authors: 

The article was edited by medical experts, board certified doctors Dr. Nadezhda Ivanisova and Dr. Vadim Zhiliuk. For the treatment of the conditions referred to in the article, you must consult a doctor; the information in the article is not intended for self-medication!

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Sources:

National Library of Medicine

Stem Cell Research & Therapy

PubMed