A Phase I Trial Delivers Real Numbers
Liver cirrhosis has long been considered irreversible. Once scar tissue forms, the prevailing wisdom was you can only slow it down. That thinking is shifting, and a 2026 Phase I trial just added significant weight to the argument.
The trial tested allogeneic umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) administered directly into the hepatic artery. Twelve patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis (Child-Pugh B and C) received three infusions over six weeks.
How Hepatic Artery Delivery Works
Why not just inject MSCs intravenously? When given through a peripheral vein, most MSCs get trapped in the lungs — the “pulmonary first-pass effect.” By threading a catheter into the hepatic artery, cells go directly to the liver, resulting in 8x higher engraftment.
Results at 48 Weeks
The results were striking:
- Albumin levels increased by an average of 4.2 g/L (p=0.003)
- Child-Pugh scores improved in 8 of 12 patients by at least 2 points
- MELD scores dropped by a mean of 3.1 points
- Fibrosis markers (FIB-4, APRI) decreased significantly at 24 and 48 weeks
- Adverse events: transient fever in 3 patients, mild abdominal discomfort in 2 — no serious adverse events
One patient — a 58-year-old male with hepatitis B-related cirrhosis — regressed from Child-Pugh C to Child-Pugh A. His ascites resolved completely and he was removed from the transplant waitlist.
Why Umbilical Cord Source Matters
UC-MSCs are more primitive than bone marrow-derived MSCs, with higher proliferation capacity and stronger immunosuppressive properties. They secrete more hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), which drives liver regeneration. Each infusion contained 1×10^6 cells per kilogram of body weight.
What This Means
Liver cirrhosis is highly prevalent in Southeast Asia — driven by hepatitis B, alcohol, and increasingly NAFLD. A therapy that reverses fibrosis would transform hepatology. Several Phase II trials are recruiting across Asia now.
References
Li, Y., et al. (2026). Safety and preliminary efficacy of allogeneic umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells administered via the hepatic artery in patients with liver cirrhosis: A phase I open-label trial. Stem Cell Research & Therapy, 17(1).
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