liver stem cell transplants

[scarlet17]

Does anyone have the latest on transplanting liver stem cells into the liver to avoid having a transplant? My father needs transplant but the waitng list is long and it seems many are not making it. Thanks for any input as I am searching all medical journals and web sites. Some promising possibilities but nothing concrete.

[Wools]

I don't know much about stem cell transplants. I can offer you some advise about getting a liver. My son received a liver one year ago this month. I know what it is like to wait. He waited for 6 months on a list and it was predicted he would be there another 18 more months. We were advised to find another transplant center that was aggressive in its transplants. You can research the procurement end and maybe find two seperate areas within driving distance. If your center will allow it, list him at two transplant centers with different procurement groups. We went against the wishes of our original center and double listed him at two transplant centers. It wasn't that hard because we got copies of all testing and took them to the second center. It was alittle scary for awhile because we took alot of heat from the original center. It all paid off because he received a liver from the second center in TWO WEEKS.  We knew we had to do what was right for our son even if it meant breaking a few rules at the original center.  Some centers let you double list. You'll need to ask. They may not like it but it may really pay off.
You can go to the UNOS website to find out how many transplants at a particular center they do and how many are waiting. Be sure to research the other end also....the procurement side because that is so important.
I'd be glad to help you any way I can. Good luck

[scarlet17]

Thanks Wool, I appreciate your experienced advice. we will certainly try to follow it with dual registration. My father, my best friend, has pushed me on the stem cell transplant because some world-wide reseach centers are  researching the treatment to eliminate taking anti-rejection drugs. also their seems to be no rejection of cells where it is quite common with a whole liver transplants.  May i ask how old your son is? Thanks again so much.

[Wools]

My son is 23 and was in end stage liver failure from a disease called PSC (primary schleosing cholangitis).  The anti-rejection
drugs were pretty tough at first. He was taking 38 pills a day at different intervals.  In three months you start weaning off some, then again at 6 months.  He is now taking only Prograf
(2 pills) twice daily (12 hours apart) plus a strong dose of magnesium oxide to replace that depleted by the drug.  The side effects have been slight. He has a small hand tremor and that's about it.  The meds are running about $350.00 per month which is quite reasonable. (The first three months ran $2600.00  per month) Fatigue is his only complaint. With the advances in modern anti-rejection drugs, people with liver failure have a
wonderful chance at having their life extended.  I thank God for every day of life he has given him. I also am grateful to the wonderful woman who willingly donated her organs upon her death.  Her gift was truly a gift of life.....