Extracorporeal Liver Assist Device (ELAD)

The Extracorporeal Liver Assist Device (ELAD) is a bioartificial liver support system designed to provide metabolic and synthetic support to patients suffering from acute liver failure or severe alcoholic hepatitis. Unlike traditional dialysis-based systems that only filter toxins, ELAD utilizes cartridges containing human hepatoblastoma-derived C3A cells to perform essential biological liver functions, such as the synthesis of albumin and coagulation factors. The goal of the system is to act as a bridge to liver transplantation or to provide the necessary support for the native liver to regenerate. Despite extensive clinical trials, the ELAD system has faced significant challenges in meeting primary efficacy endpoints in large-scale studies. As a device-based therapy, it is not a molecular target but rather an advanced cell therapy delivery system for liver support.

Other names

ELAD SystemBioartificial LiverC3A-cell-based bioartificial liver support systemVital Therapies ELAD

The ELAD system utilizes human hepatoblastoma-derived C3A cells housed within hollow-fiber cartridges to provide metabolic, synthetic, and regulatory liver functions to a patient's plasma extracorporeally.