Improved liver function in liver cirrhosis patients after autologous bone marrow cell infusion therapy

Terai S, et al. Improved liver function in liver cirrhosis patients after autologous bone marrow cell infusion therapy. Stem Cells. 2006 Jun 15; [Epub ahead of print]

Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Yamaguchi, Japan.

We here report 9 liver cirrhosis (LC) cases that underwent autologous bone marrow cell infusion (ABMI) from the peripheral vein. Subjects were LC patients with T.B. of <3.0 mg/dl, Plt of >5 (10(10)/l) and no viable hepatocellular carcinoma on diagnostic imaging. Autologous bone marrow (BM; 400 ml) was isolated from the ilium under general anesthesia. Mononuclear cells (MNCs) were separated by cell washing and were infused via the peripheral vein. MNC characteristics were confirmed by FACS analysis (CD34, CD45, c-kit). After ABMI therapy, liver function was monitored by blood examination for 24 weeks. From 400 ml of BM, we obtained 7.81+/-0.98 x 10(9) MNCs. After washing, 5.20+/-0.63 x 10(9) MNCs were infused into LC patients. Significant improvements in serum albumin levels and total protein were observed at 24 weeks after ABMI therapy (p<0.05). Significantly improved Child-Pugh scores were seen at 4 weeks and 24 weeks (p<0.05). AFP and PCNA expression in liver biopsy tissue was significantly elevated after ABMI therapy (p <0.05). No major adverse effects were noted. In conclusion, ABMI therapy should be considered as a novel treatment for de-compensated LC patients.