Liver transplantation saves lives but is severely limited by organ shortages. Hepatocyte-based therapies — transplanting functional liver cells rather than whole organs — have long promised an alternative, but two stubborn barriers have held them back: not enough high-quality cells and poor engraftment once cells are delivered. This review from the Chinese Academy of Sciences surveys the latest progress in stem cell-derived hepatocyte technologies, examines two clinical strategies (permanent liver cell replacement and temporary liver support during acute failure), and maps out what must happen before these therapies reach patients at scale. The authors also explore how hepatocyte therapies can work alongside gene therapy and xenotransplantation to expand options for people with serious liver disease.
