Chinese surgeons successfully transplanted a genetically modified pig liver into a human patient with liver cancer, marking a significant milestone in xenotransplantation, though the patient died several months later due to complications. The procedure demonstrated that pig organs can temporarily function in humans, offering hope for addressing organ shortages, especially in China where liver disease is prevalent.
Doctors in China performed the first-ever pig-to-human lung transplant on a brain-dead patient using genetically modified pig lungs to study immune response and organ viability, with the lung functioning for nine days before signs of rejection appeared, marking a significant step in xenotransplantation research.
Scientists in China successfully transplanted a genetically modified pig's lung into a brain-dead human, marking the first such procedure, though the organ was damaged and removed after nine days, highlighting both progress and challenges in xenotransplantation.
Surgeons in the United States have successfully completed the longest pig-to-human kidney transplant, lasting 61 days. The procedure involved a genetically modified pig kidney being transplanted into a brain-dead patient, marking a significant milestone in organ transplantation. The technique, part of ongoing cross-species transplant research, aims to address the shortage of organs for transplantation. The study showed signs of mild rejection, requiring increased immunosuppression medication. By genetically modifying the pig to remove a biomolecule targeted by human antibodies, immediate rejection was prevented. The use of pigs as potential organ donors is favored due to their organ size, rapid growth, large litters, and existing use in the food industry. However, ethical concerns have been raised regarding the presence of human cells in pig embryos used for hybrid pig-human organ creation.
Surgeons at NYU Langone Health have achieved a groundbreaking milestone in organ transplantation by successfully transplanting a genetically modified pig kidney into a brain-dead patient, which functioned for a record-breaking 61 days. This experiment represents a significant step forward in xenotransplantation research, offering hope for the future of organ transplants and addressing the severe shortage of organs. The success of this experiment sheds light on the rejection process and potential treatments, providing a glimmer of possibility for patients on organ transplant waiting lists.
