CD34+ cell therapy is safe and effective in slowing the decline of hepatic reserve function in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis. Issue 10 (October 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nakamura, Toru; Torimura, Takuji; Iwamoto, Hideki; Kurogi, Jyunichi; Inoue, Hiroto; Hori, Yukie; Sumie, Shuji; Fukushima, Nobuyoshi; Sakata, Masahiro; Koga, Hironori; Abe, Mitsuhiko; Ikezono, Yu; Hashimoto, Osamu; Ueno, Takato; Oho, Kazuhiko; Okamura, Takashi; Okuda, Seiya; Kawamoto, Atsuhiko; Ii, Masaaki; Asahara, Takayuki; Sata, Michio
• Is Part Of: Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology. Volume 29:Issue 10(2014:Oct.)
• Page Start: 1830
• Page End: 1838
• Publication Date: 2014-10
• Subjects: Gastroenterology -- Periodicals; Digestive organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Liver -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Gastroenterology -- Periodicals; Liver Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.33
• DOI: 10.1111/jgh.12622
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0815-9319

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="jgh12622-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background and Aim</title> <p>Preclinical studies in rodent models of chronic liver fibrosis have shown that transplantation of peripheral blood (PB) CD34<sup>+</sup> cells leads to hepatic regeneration and a reduction of liver fibrosis by suppressing hepatic stellate cell activity and increasing matrix metalloproteinase activity. The aim of this study was to examine the safety and clinical efficacy of intrahepatic transplantation of autologous granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF)‐mobilized PB‐CD34<sup>+</sup> cells in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis.</p> </sec> <sec id="jgh12622-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>PB‐CD34<sup>+</sup> cells were isolated from G‐CSF‐mobilized apheresis products. Ten patients were treated with G‐CSF‐mobilized PB‐CD34<sup>+</sup> cells (treatment group) and seven patients were treated with standard medical therapy. For mobilization, patients in the treatment group received subcutaneous injections of 10 μg G‐CSF/kg/day for 5 days. The cells were then injected at three different doses (5 × 10<sup>5</sup>, 1 × 10<sup>6</sup> and 2 × 10<sup>6</sup> cells/kg) through the hepatic artery. Thereafter, all patients were followed up for 24 months.</p> </sec> <sec id="jgh12622-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>G‐CSF treatment and leukapheresis were well tolerated, and no serious adverse events were observed. Patients in the treatment group had a significant but transient splenomegaly. After 24 weeks, serum albumin was significantly increased in patients who had received middle or high doses of CD34<sup>+</sup> cells compared with baseline. Doppler ultrasound showed a significant increase in hepatic blood flow velocity and blood flow volume after CD34<sup>+</sup> cell therapy. The hepatic vein pressure gradient decreased in two patients who received high‐dose CD34<sup>+</sup> cells at week 16.</p> </sec> <sec id="jgh12622-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>CD34<sup>+</sup> cell therapy is feasible, safe and effective in slowing the decline of hepatic reserve function.</p> </sec> </abstract>