A clinical breakthrough by NUH’s Clinician Scientist & Consultant, Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Dr Dan Yock Young, and a team of researchers in the United States has brought hope to patients with liver failure.

Dr Dan and the other researchers from the University of Washington used stem cells from aborted fetuses and became the first to successfully grow human liver stem cells in the laboratory. These cells were injected into laboratory mice, where they replaced thousands of dead liver cells.

“Growing liver cell in the laboratory continue to be the holy grail of liver researchers. With the new system, we have a better idea of how to approach the problem to try to translate science to actual clinical use in the hope that one day, patients will benefit from this treatment,” shared Dr Dan.

Although it would take some years before the treatment is ready for trial in humans, this research has created new frontiers in developing more effective treatment for liver failure patients.

* This research was published in the Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), 27 June 2006, Vol 103, No. 26. and was covered in The Straits Times on 24 August 2006.