Pig Kidney Successfully Functions in Human Body, Expanding Possibilities for Xenotransplants
In a groundbreaking medical breakthrough, a pig kidney has been successfully transplanted and functioned in a human body for approximately two months. This achievement marks the longest recorded case of a xenotransplant, bringing hope for those in need of organ transplants.
The procedure took place at NYU Langone Health, where researchers transplanted a genetically modified pig kidney into Maurice Miller, a 58-year-old man known as Mo, who had brain death due to a brain tumor. After careful study and observation, the organ was removed after 61 days of close analysis.
Scientists involved in the study will now analyze the data collected during this pre-clinical human research to better understand the body’s response to the procedure. This valuable information will aid them in preparing for future clinical trials in living humans.
During the study, researchers discovered some novel cellular changes in the tissue, which required additional immunosuppression medication to reverse a mild rejection. However, overall, the pig kidney performed optimally, offering promising results.
Dr. Robert Montgomery, the director of the NYU Langone Transplant Institute and chair of the surgery department, who led the research, expressed his gratitude for the support from the deceased recipient’s family. Their contribution allowed the research team to gain critical insight into xenotransplantation as a potential solution to the national organ shortage.
This recent achievement at NYU Langone follows another scientific milestone in the field of xenotransplantation. Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine published peer-reviewed research highlighting advancements in pig kidney transplants. These transplanted kidneys not only produced urine, but also provided life-sustaining kidney function by effectively filtering waste.
Both research teams utilized genetically modified pig kidneys in recipients experiencing brain death as part of pre-clinical human research. The NYU Langone team used a single genetic modification to eliminate the alpha-gal biomolecule, which is known to trigger rapid rejection of pig organs in humans. Additionally, the pig’s thymus was transplanted to protect the kidneys from being attacked by the human immune system.
While more work and studies in living human recipients are needed, these accomplishments offer hope for people suffering from end-stage kidney disease. Researchers are optimistic about the progress being made and the potential for pig kidney transplants to serve as a bridge or destination therapy for those in need.
The vast majority of individuals waiting for organ transplants require a kidney, and currently, there are around 89,000 people on the waiting list in the United States alone. The advancements in xenotransplantation bring a ray of hope for those awaiting life-saving organ transplants.
As the research continues and clinical trials move forward, scientists are hopeful that xenotransplantation will help alleviate the organ shortage crisis and provide a brighter future for patients in need. The progress made so far sheds light on the effectiveness of pig kidneys in a human environment and offers reassurance regarding the safety of initiating phase one clinical trials.
The potential impact of xenotransplantation on organ transplantation cannot be overstated. It carries the possibility of saving countless lives and improving the quality of life for patients around the world. With ongoing research and advancements, we are one step closer to overcoming the challenges of the organ shortage crisis and providing hope for those in dire need of a transplant.
