Advances in Cryopreservation Enables Rapid, Scalable Liver Cell Therapy for Acute Liver Failure

In a significant step toward the rapid delivery of advanced cell therapies, researchers have successfully developed a cryopreservation method capable of storing and recovering large volumes of liver cell spheroids for clinical use, offering new hope for patients suffering from acute liver failure (ALF).

The study focused on alginate-encapsulated liver cell spheroids (AELS), preserved in clinically approved 2.5-liter cryobags. Each patient dose comprises three cryobags containing 833 ml of cell biomass, and the new process demonstrated efficient freezing and recovery of these full-scale volumes.

By optimizing thermal profiles during both cooling and thawing, the research team ensured reproducible conditions that maintained the integrity and viability of the cells. Post-thaw, the AELS rapidly regenerated to pre-freeze viable cell densities within just three days—crucial for treating the fast-progressing ALF condition.

This development addresses key challenges in cell therapy delivery, including scalability, regulatory compliance, and the need for swift clinical deployment. While further improvements in post-thaw recovery speed are still being explored, the study confirms the feasibility of using large-scale cryopreserved liver cell therapies in emergency settings.

The findings mark an advancement in bioartificial organ technology and pave the way for faster, more effective treatment options for liver failure patients worldwide.

Read the full article at Cryo here.