Liver4Life’s research team mechanically processed the damaged liver and transplanted the recovered organs.

The interdisciplinary Zurich research team Liver4Life has succeeded in doing something in a therapeutic attempt that has never been achieved in the history of medicine. It mechanically treated an originally injured human liver in vitro for 3 days and then transplanted the recovered organs into a cancer patient. A year later, the patient was well.

Liver4Life’s research team has been able to transplant human organs into patients after three days of in vitro storage, thanks to an in-house developed perfusion device. This machine mimics the human body as accurately as possible in order to provide the ideal condition for the human liver. The pump replaces the heart, the artificial lung replaces the lungs, and the dialysis unit acts as the kidney. In addition, many hormone and nutrient infusions serve the function of the intestines and pancreas. Like the diaphragm of the human body, machines also move the liver to the rhythm of human breathing. In January 2020, an interdisciplinary Zurich research team in collaboration with the University of Zurich Hospital (USZ), ETH Zurich, and the University of Zurich (UZH) demonstrated for the first time that perfusion techniques can preserve the liver outside the body. A few days (see press release on January 13, 2020).

From bad to good in 3 days

The team prepared the liver of the machine with various medicines. In this way, the liver was able to turn into a good human organ, even though it was not approved for transplantation due to its poor quality. Perfusion for several days, or mechanical circulation of organs, allows, for example, antibiotic or hormonal therapy, or optimization of liver metabolism. In addition, you can perform long-term laboratory or histological examinations without the pressure of time. This is not possible under normal circumstances, as organs can only be stored for 12 hours when stored on conventional ice and on commercial perfusers.

The treatment attempt was successful

As part of an approved individualized treatment attempt, doctors have given cancer patients on the Swiss Transplant Waitlist the option to use treated human liver. Following his consent, the organ was transplanted in May 2021. The patient was able to be discharged a few days after the transplant and is now doing well.I am very grateful for the organs that save lives. Due to the rapid progression of the tumor, there was little opportunity to get the liver from the waiting list within a reasonable period of time... “

Save more lives

An article about the first transplantation of a liver prepared with a perfusion device was published in one of the most famous scientific journals. Nature biotechnology, May 31, 2022. “Our treatment shows that by treating the liver with a perfusion device, it is possible to reduce the lack of functioning human organs and save lives,” said Pierre Alain, director of the internal organs.・ Professor Clavien explains. Surgery and transplantation at the University Hospital of Zurich (USZ).

The interdisciplinary approach to solving the complex biomedical challenges embodied in this project is the future of medicine. This will allow new discoveries to be used more quickly in the treatment of patients. “

ETH Zurich Professor of Polymer Engineering, Professor Mark Tibitt

The next step in the Liver4Life project is to review and demonstrate the procedures for other patients. Effectiveness Safety in the form of multicenter joint research. Its success means that in the future, liver transplantation, which normally constitutes an emergency procedure, will be transformed into a planned and selective procedure. At the same time, next-generation machines are being developed. In addition, people involved in basic research continue to look for ways to treat other liver diseases outside the body with drugs, molecules, or hormones.

Liver4Life: Wyss Zurich Project

The Liver4Life project was launched in 2015 under the umbrella of the Wyss Zurich Translational Center (Wyss Zurich). It brings together highly specialized technical know-how and biomedical knowledge of approximately 10 medical professionals, biologists and engineers. This project is funded by a donation from Dr.hcmult, the founder of Wyss Zurich. Hans Jurgu Wis.