Is there a future for the bioartificial liver?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Research to develop a liver support device has been ongoing for almost 50 years. During the past year progress was made on several fronts that serves to stimulate research in the field and bring us closer to the goal of a clinically beneficial artificial liver. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent progress included development of new techniques to improve the isolation and cryopreservation of hepatocytes, novel bioreactor configurations to increase the dosage and duration of cell-based therapy, and new reports of safety and efficacy in clinical trials. Albumin dialysis, which is considered within the realm of biologic liver support systems, continues to show promise as a treatment for acute and chronic forms of liver failure. SUMMARY: The next generation of liver support devices will allow clinicians to prescribe to their patients the most appropriate liver support therapy, ranging from a single mode therapy to a multimode hybrid therapy involving components such as albumin dialysis and living cells. The list of possibilities is impressive.