Establishment of liver cancer disease model via normothermic machine perfusion.

This article focuses on the development and validation of a novel hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) disease model using normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) of human livers ex vivo. The study demonstrates that NMP can sustain liver and tumor viability for up to 92 hours in vitro while preserving hepatic tissue integrity and tumor genomic stability, as confirmed by RNA sequencing and circulating tumor DNA analysis. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) was employed as a real-time, noninvasive method to monitor liver and tumor activity during perfusion, correlating well with histopathological findings. Additionally, the model was used to evaluate the efficacy and safety of chemotherapy (FOLFOX regimen), showing selective tumor necrosis without significant damage to normal liver tissue. This approach offers a physiologically relevant platform for studying HCC pathophysiology and testing therapeutic interventions, addressing limitations of traditional cell and animal models.