April 2, China: In a pioneering medical achievement, Chinese doctors have successfully transplanted a genetically modified pig liver into a brain-dead human for the first time. This milestone, achieved on Wednesday (local time), marks a significant step forward in the field of xenotransplantation, offering hope for addressing the global organ shortage crisis.
Breakthrough in Pig-to-Human Organ Transplants
Over the years, pigs have been identified as the most promising source for animal-to-human organ transplants due to their physiological similarities with humans. The United States has already conducted multiple successful transplants involving pig kidneys and hearts. Now, with this latest procedure in China, the possibility of using pig livers to support or replace human liver function is being actively explored.
Dr. Lin Wang, a key researcher from Xijing Hospital of the Fourth Military Medical University in Xi’an, revealed that the genetically modified pig liver functioned for 10 days inside the brain-dead patient without immediate rejection. The transplanted organ produced bile and albumin, both essential for basic liver function, although in lower quantities compared to a human liver.
The Complexity of Liver Transplantation
Unlike other organs, the liver presents unique challenges due to its multifaceted role in the body. It is responsible for removing toxins, breaking down nutrients and medications, fighting infections, storing iron, and regulating blood clotting. Given its complex functions, ensuring a pig liver can fully support human survival remains a critical focus of research.
Dr. Wang emphasized that while the pig liver showed partial functionality, it could be enough to support a failing human liver temporarily. The ultimate goal is to develop pig liver transplants as a bridge solution for patients waiting for human donor organs.
Experimental Approaches in Liver Transplants
Last year, surgeons at the University of Pennsylvania in the U.S. experimented with an external pig liver attachment in a brain-dead individual, functioning similarly to kidney dialysis. This method, under study by U.S. biotechnology company eGenesis, aims to filter blood in patients with liver failure.
In China, Wang’s team took a different approach by implanting a pig liver near the existing liver of a brain-dead patient rather than removing the human organ. They later attempted a complete liver replacement in another brain-dead patient and are currently analyzing the results.
A Step Toward Future Human Transplants
The Chinese research team also reported another milestone: their patient became the third person in the world to survive with a gene-edited pig kidney. Three weeks after the kidney transplant, the patient was reportedly in stable condition, with the organ functioning well.
These advancements in xenotransplantation signal a promising future for organ transplantation, potentially saving countless lives as technology and medical expertise continue to progress.
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