Published online Dec 24, 2017. doi: 10.5500/wjt.v7.i6.317
Peer-review started: October 29, 2017
First decision: November 20, 2017
Revised: November 27, 2017
Accepted: December 5, 2017
Article in press: December 6, 2017
Published online: December 24, 2017
Processing time: 54 Days and 16.6 Hours
Human hepatocyte transplantation is undergoing study as a bridge, or even alternative, to orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). This technique has undergone multiple developments over the past thirty years in terms of mode of delivery, source and preparation of cell cultures, monitoring of graft function, and use of immunosuppression. Further refinements and improvements in these techniques will likely allow improved graft survival and function, granting patients higher yield from this technique and potentially significantly delaying need for OLT.
Core tip: Further human studies involving humans are needed, however, the current collectively suggest progress in terms of improved effectiveness of human hepatocyte transplantation (HTx). With improvements in optimizing delivery technique and assessing proper recipients of livers, monitoring graft function, as well as recognizing and treating graft rejection, HTx may be able to be used more widely in metabolic liver disease and potentially delay necessity of orthotopic liver transplantation.