Clinical trials

Biliary atresia is a progressive liver disease in infants where liver transplantation is often the only long-term option once cirrhosis develops. However, organ shortages, high costs, risks of graft rejection, and the need for lifelong immunosuppression make transplantation difficult for many families. This double-blind randomized clinical trial evaluates whether injecting umbilical cord-mesenchymal stem cells directly into the liver during Kasai portoenterostomy is safe and effective as an additional treatment. Umbilical cord stem cells have strong anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic properties, and they carry a low risk of immune rejection. Patients undergoing the Kasai procedure are randomly assigned to receive either direct intrahepatic stem cell injections or a placebo. Participants are followed for 180 days post-surgery to monitor safety, liver function, and changes in liver stiffness.

This study represents a phase I clinical trial that utilizes natural killer (NK) cell therapy for patients diagnosed with liver cancer, specifically those classified as Child-Pugh A and falling within the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stages B or C. The expected results include determining the suitable treatment dosage, identifying any resulting side effects, and calculating the average duration of progression-free survival. The target group for the study consists of all individuals diagnosed with liver cancer. At the same time, the practical sample consists of those who received medical care for liver cancer at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM) between May and December 2022. The chosen research sample comprises liver cancer patients who fulfill the predetermined participation criteria. The necessary sample size for discerning appropriate treatment dosages and the occurrence rate of potential side effects shall consist of 2-3 liver cancer patients who are administered autologous NK cells. The process for isolating these NK cells adheres to the guidelines established by Miltenyi Biotec.