Assessment of Short-Term Effects of Cell Transplantation in Cirrhosis DUE to HCV

• Published in: Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention : APJCP Vol. 25; no. 6; pp. 2099 - 2104
• Main Authors: Astrakhanov, Akezhan, Saparbayev, Samat, Amanzholkyzy, Ainur, Iskakova, Aigerim, Nurlanova, Gulzhanat, Kurmangazin, Meirambek
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Thailand West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention 01.06.2024
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Hepacivirus; Hepatitis C, Chronic - complications; Humans; Liver Cirrhosis - therapy; Male; Middle Aged; Prognosis; Stem Cell Transplantation - methods; Young Adult; fetal stem cells; Liver Cirrhosis; Hepatitis C; cell therapy
• DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2024.25.6.2099
• ISSN: 1513-7368

Recent studies have highlighted the potential of fetal hepatic stem cells in regenerative treatments for liver diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the short-term effects of fetal stem cell transplantation in patients with liver cirrhosis resulting from chronic hepatitis C. Thirty patients with liver cirrhosis of all Child-Turcotte-Pugh classes due to chronic hepatitis C, aged 18 to 65 years, were selected for this study. A single intravenous dose of 1 ml containing 6*106 fetal hepatic stem cells, diluted in 20.0 ml of 0.9% sodium chloride solution, was administered. The efficacy of the treatment was assessed by measuring levels of ALT, AST, total and direct bilirubin, gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, and albumin before and after cell therapy. Post-treatment, a significant reduction was noted in the Child-Pugh score from 8 [6-9] to 7 [6-8] (p<0.001) and the MELD index from 11 [7-15] to 10 [7-14] (p=0.004). Skin itching decreased from 36.7% to 10%. Complaints of weakness increased significantly from 3.3% to 23.3% after 30 days of therapy (p=0.014), and the incidence of reduced appetite increased from 20% to 46.7% (p=0.021). No statistical differences were observed in the frequency of nosebleeds (86.7% initially vs. 90% at day 30, p=0.655) or drowsiness (63.3% initially vs. 76.7% at day 30, p=0.157). Significant reductions were noted in ALT levels by 35% and total bilirubin by 44%. The lack of significant changes in indicators of hepatic-cell insufficiency, particularly the protein-forming function as reflected in total protein and albumin levels, is likely due to the extent of liver tissue damage and thus a delayed recovery. The findings of this study affirm the clinical efficacy and promise of fetal hepatic stem cell therapy as part of a comprehensive treatment regimen for patients with liver cirrhosis.