Groundbreaking Trial To Grow 'Mini Liver' From Patient's Own Lymph Node (interestingengineering.com) 20
An anonymous reader quotes a report from InterestingEngineering: A Pittsburgh-based biotech company has started a one-of-a-kind trial in a patient with a failing liver. Their goal is to grow a functional second liver within the patient's body -- something never achieved before. If effective, it might be a life-saving therapy for those who require liver transplants but have to wait months for a compatible donor organ. LyGenesis is currently carrying out a trial in only one patient with end-stage liver disease (ESLD) to test the efficacy of their allogenic regenerative cell therapy. As per Nature, the experimental procedure was conducted in Houston on March 25. The report also states that the patient is "recovering well" after receiving the treatment. However, the formation of the new liver-like organ in the lymph node may take several months. Moreover, the individual will be kept on immunosuppressive drugs to prevent any initial rejection of the donor cells. The physicians will continue to monitor the patient's health closely.
In this trial, scientists prepared donated hepatocyte cells for transplantation by suspending them in a solution. These cells were then transplanted into the patient's upper abdominal lymph nodes, which are tiny bean-shaped structures. These structures are an essential immune system component and filter waste from the body. Apart from the abdomen, lymph nodes are also found in the neck and chest. The team opted for a minimally invasive approach to inject the cells into the patient's lymph node via a catheter in the neck. "The lymph nodes then act as in vivo bioreactors, helping the hepatocytes to engraft, proliferate, and generate functional ectopic liver tissue," the press release noted. In simplest terms, these cells have the ability to multiply over the next several months. In a person with a failing liver, lymph nodes might operate as a second liver-like organ.
In this trial, scientists prepared donated hepatocyte cells for transplantation by suspending them in a solution. These cells were then transplanted into the patient's upper abdominal lymph nodes, which are tiny bean-shaped structures. These structures are an essential immune system component and filter waste from the body. Apart from the abdomen, lymph nodes are also found in the neck and chest. The team opted for a minimally invasive approach to inject the cells into the patient's lymph node via a catheter in the neck. "The lymph nodes then act as in vivo bioreactors, helping the hepatocytes to engraft, proliferate, and generate functional ectopic liver tissue," the press release noted. In simplest terms, these cells have the ability to multiply over the next several months. In a person with a failing liver, lymph nodes might operate as a second liver-like organ.
thats nothing (Score:5, Funny)
I transported a few cells to my ex and she made an entire human, and then proved she could do it twice more. Talk about a bioreactor.
Well, don't fix that just yet... (Score:3)
My whole financial plan in retirement involves drinking my liver into oblivion before my money runs out.
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Fentanyl and tranq.
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Well, this is just a mini liver, so those tiny liquor bottles they have in the hotel minibars should still do the trick.
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Nicholas Cage beat you to it, plus he got to do so in Las Vegas.
Fark (Score:2)
Liver 'N Onions Anyone? (Score:2)
Just look for the 'Lab Grown' label at your local grocery store!
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Just look for the 'Lab Grown' label at your local grocery store!
Yes, but can you get it with lab grown fava beans and synthetic chianti?
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The AI Satan says yes.
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Yup ask an unqualified loony entertainer for advice instead of an actual scientist.
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What would Liberace have said about actual scientist recommendations that Turing be treated with estrogen injections for the disease of homosexuality?
Bartender... (Score:4, Funny)
They just gave him cancer. (Score:3)
As a Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma patient I also have cells multiplying out of control inside my lymph nodes and with a metabolic rate comparable to liver cells.
You're going to give him a liver in the thyroid and bone marrow. The lymph nodes also connect with your blood stream so it can easily spread to every part of your body and then you'll have 200 livers growing inside of you. That's also what happens in the terminal stage of liver cancer. LOL
And the new livers, assuming they don't clog your lymphatic system, will create pressure on other organs just like cancer does. Enlarged lymph nodes in your abdomen, specifically, will compress the intestine and cause epic constipation issues. My thyroid tumor makes it hard to swallow food and they say they won't take it out unless it turns malignant or makes it harder to breathe.
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I'll drink to that! (Score:2)
Sweet (Score:2)