IMR Press / FBL / Volume 28 / Issue 12 / DOI: 10.31083/j.fbl2812359
Open Access Review
Stem Cell Therapy for Liver Diseases: Current Perspectives
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1 Department of Gastroenterology, The 960th Hospital of the PLA, 250000 Jinan, Shandong, China
2 Liver Research Unit, Medica Sur Clinic & Foundation and Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, 14050 Mexico City, Mexico
3 Department of Gastroenterology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command (formerly General Hospital of Shenyang Military Area), 110840 Shenyang, Liaoning, China
*Correspondence: Joehr0621@163.com (Xiaofeng Liu); xingshunqi@126.com (Xingshun Qi)
Front. Biosci. (Landmark Ed) 2023, 28(12), 359; https://doi.org/10.31083/j.fbl2812359
Submitted: 7 June 2023 | Revised: 3 October 2023 | Accepted: 17 October 2023 | Published: 28 December 2023
Copyright: © 2023 The Author(s). Published by IMR Press.
This is an open access article under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Abstract

Stem cell therapy offers a promising avenue for advanced liver disease cases as an alternative to liver transplantation. Clinical studies are underway to explore the potential of stem cells from various sources in treating different liver diseases. However, due to the variability among current studies, further validation is needed to ensure the safety and effectiveness of stem cell therapy. To establish a strong foundation for optimal stem cell therapy applications, selection of suitable stem cell sources, standardization of transplantation protocols, and patient criteria are vital. This review comprehensively examines existing literature on stem cell sources, transplantation methods, and patient selection. Additionally, we discuss novel strategies, including stem cell preconditioning, cell-free therapy, genetic modification of stem cells, and the use of liver organoids, addressing the limitations of current stem cell therapies. Nevertheless, these innovative approaches require further validation.

Keywords
stem cells
liver diseases
regenerative medicine
organoids
clinical trials
Funding
81900467/National Natural Science Foundation of China
202103031040/Shandong Medical and Health Science and Technology Project
Figures
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