This page is a summary of the MATCH trial. The trial looked at the possibility of using a type of white blood cell called a macrophage to treat liver cirrhosis.
What are macrophages?
We have lots of different types of white blood cell. They all have different jobs in our immune system. Macrophages are one of these. They are made from another type of white blood cell called a monocyte.
The macrophages’ job is to clear away dead cells, debris and germs. They also send signals to other parts of your immune system and have an important role in keeping your organs healthy.
Macrophages swallow and break down cell debris
Why are macrophages important to the liver?
If the liver is getting injured or damaged, for example from a virus or from a build-up of in the liver, this can cause permanent scarring. This is called cirrhosis.
Macrophages have an important role in helping to repair the liver and reduce scar tissue.
How could macrophages treat liver disease?
We know that macrophages play a vital role in dealing with everyday liver damage. Researchers wanted to find out if they could also be used as a treatment for serious liver disease.
To do this, Professor Forbes, a world-renown hepatologist from the University of Edinburgh, started the first test of macrophage cells in cirrhosis. This was called the MATCH study (MAcrophages Therapy for CirrHosis)
What happened in the MATCH study?
50 people with liver cirrhosis took part in the study at 3 hospitals in Scotland. They were randomly split into two groups.
24 people in the control group had standard medical care for their condition.
26 people in the test group had the new macrophage treatment.
The treatment
The research team collected blood from each person in the test group. White blood cells called monocytes were collected in this blood. They used a specialised machine in a routine process called “leukapheresis”.
Macrophage cells are made from monocytes. In a specialist lab the collected monocyte cells were grown into macrophage cells. Finally the macrophage cells were given back to the same person they came from.
The aim of the study was to find out if giving this treatment to people with cirrhosis could help their liver and their overall health. It also looked to see if the treatment was safe.
What were the results of the MATCH study?
The results of the MATCH study showed that macrophage cell therapy was potentially beneficial for people with cirrhosis.
Everyone who took part in the study was followed up for 3 years to check on their health.
The research team checked if anyone in the test group had signs of a serious reaction to the treatment. But they did not find any of these problems. So the treatment seemed to be safe.
At the end of 3 years 8 people in the control group had sadly died and 3 had had a liver transplant.
In the test group 2 people died and no one had a transplant.
Results after 3 years
Overall after 3 years, 22 out of 26 people in the test group were alive and had not had a transplant.
In the control group this was only 13 out of 24.
What could this mean for treating liver cirrhosis?
Cirrhosis is a big and growing problem in the UK and around the world. But there are no approved treatments for cirrhosis. Most treatments focus on managing the complications and symptoms of the cirrhosis but cannot treat the underlying problem.
The only way to cure cirrhosis is with a liver transplant. But this is a very big operation with serious risks. People with a liver transplant have to take strong, lifelong medicine to stop their body attacking the new liver that has come from someone else. Many people with cirrhosis are too unwell for a transplant. Or die while waiting for one.
Macrophage treatment could offer a completely new way to tackle advanced liver cirrhosis.
The MATCH study showed that macrophage treatment could help people with liver cirrhosis by preventing the progression of liver disease. It may also reduce the need for a liver transplant.
All this opens up the possibility of treatment for many more people with cirrhosis. This could include people who are too unwell for a transplant.
What happens next?
Resolution Therapeutics, a biotechnology company, are taking this work further to develop macrophage treatment for liver cirrhosis with another study.
The EMERALD study builds on the work done in MATCH. But for this treatment, the macrophages will be modified to be more effective. The team hope this will make the macrophages better at tackling liver damage when they are returned to the patient.
Find out more about the EMERALD study
The British Liver Trust is working alongside Resolution Therapeutics on the EMERALD trial. We will continue to post updates from the research team on our website.
