Vietnam successfully treats liver cirrhosis with stem cells

54 year-old patient Mai Thanh Hải was suffering the final stage of liver cirrhosis, along with renal impairment and type two diabetes. He was hospitalised with worsening cirrhosis. The patient was then treated with stem cell transplants. After 6 months of treatment, he is well on the road to recovery.

Mai Thanh Hai, Patient, Quang Binh Province said: "I feel much better now than before the transplant."

Dr. Nguyen Thanh Liem, CEO, Vinmec Hospital, Hanoi said: "His liver function before the transplant was very bad, the albumin level was very low. Now the function is recovering. He’s getting better."

According to doctors, Mai Thanh Hải’s stem cell treatment was difficult because of problems with his kidneys and blood disorders. Therefore, they had to take into serious consideration where to take the stem cells from his body to ensure the best results.

Dr. Liem added: "We took the stem cells from a peripheral sample because it is the safest way for patients with liver cirrhosis or in middle age. So we then we extract the stem cells from the bone marrow and keep it as a peripheral sample for 5 days. On the fifth day we’ll then take the stem cells and transplant them into the patient’s hepatic artery."

Studies show that the success rate using stem cells transplantation treatment for liver cirrhosis is 80% worldwide. Mai Thanh Hải, one of the first 6 patients being treated in Vietnam that have opened up the chance for other patients suffering from long-term liver damage.