Six times longer
The Liver4Life research group has achieved success with its perfusion device, which allowed the patient to implant a human organ after three days of storage outside the body. The machine simulates the conditions as accurately as possible to ensure ideal conditions for the liver. The pump replaces the heart, the oxygenator replaces the lungs, and the dialysis machine performs the functions of the kidneys. In addition, numerous hormonal and nutritional infusions perform the functions of the intestine and pancreas. Like the diaphragm in the human body, the machine also moves the liver in time with artificial respiration.
In January 2020, an interdisciplinary research team from the University Hospital of Zurich (USZ), the Swiss Higher Technical School of Zurich (ETH Zurich) and the University of Zurich (UZH) demonstrated for the first time that perfusion technology allows the liver to be stored outside the body for several days.
From bad to good in three days
With the help of a perfusion machine, it was possible to turn the liver into an organ suitable for transplantation, although initially it was not approved for transplantation due to poor quality. Multi-day perfusion, that is, mechanical circulation of the organ, allows, for example, antibacterial or hormonal therapy, as well as optimizing liver metabolism. In addition, long-term laboratory and histological studies can be carried out without time costs. This is not possible under normal circumstances, as organs can only be stored for 12 hours.
Successful attempt
As part of an approved individual treatment attempt, doctors gave a cancer patient from the Swisstransplant waiting list the opportunity to choose to use a restored human liver. After his consent, the organ was transplanted in May 2021. The patient was able to leave the hospital a few days after the transplant and is now feeling well.
Save more lives
An article about the first liver transplantation prepared in a perfusion apparatus was published in one of the most famous scientific journals Nature Biotechnology on May 31, 2022. The authors believe that with its help it will be possible to weaken the deficit of functioning human organs and save lives.
The next step in the Liver4Life project is to perform the procedure for other patients and demonstrate its effectiveness and safety in a multicenter study. Its success would mean that in the future liver transplantation, which is usually an emergency operation, will be transformed into a planned procedure. At the same time, a new generation of perfusion machines is being developed. In addition, fundamental researchers continue to look for ways to treat other liver diseases outside the body with drugs, molecules or hormones.
The Liver4Life project was launched in 2015 under the auspices of the Wyss Zurich Translational Center (Wyss Zurich). It combines highly specialized technical know-how and biomedical knowledge of about ten medical specialists, biologists and engineers. The project is funded by donations from the initiator of Wyss Zurich, Dr. Hansjörg Wyss.
Article by P.-A.Clavien et al. Transplantation of a human liver following 3 days of ex situ normothermic preservation is published in the journal Nature Biotechnology.
Aminat Adzhieva, portal "Eternal Youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on the materials of the University of Zurich: World Premiere: Successful Transplant of Human Liver Treated in Machine.