午夜福利1000集合

午夜福利1000集合

Therapy that turns lymph nodes into livers gets first human trial

An experimental therapy that grows miniature livers inside a person鈥檚 lymph nodes has been used in a human for the first time, but it will be months before we know if it fully replaces their liver function

By Grace Wade

2 April 2024

Solution with the hepatocytes (liver cells) in suspension

LyGenesis

For the first time, a person has received an experimental treatment to transform one of their lymph nodes into a functioning miniature liver. We won鈥檛 know for months whether the therapy works, but if it does, it could revolutionise the treatment of liver disease.

鈥淭his is a technology that could, in just the next few years, potentially eliminate the wait list for liver transplants,鈥 says at LyGenesis, a biotechnology company in Pennsylvania.

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up

To continue reading, today with our introductory offers

or

Existing subscribers

Sign in to your account
Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop