- Two different research teams have achieved successful pig-to-human kidney transplants.
- In the United States, approximately 808,000 individuals are living with end-stage kidney disease, but only a small number receive kidney transplants.
- Although both patients were brain-dead, scientists envision a future where pig kidneys can save lives.
Pig organs may offer a solution to the shortage of organs for transplantation in the future.
On July 14, a team of researchers at New York University’s Langone Health successfully transplanted a genetically modified pig kidney into a brain-dead individual. As of August 16, the kidney has been functioning properly for a record-breaking 32 days.
Simultaneously, another research team at the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Heersink School of Medicine published a study in which pig kidneys underwent genetic alterations and successfully functioned in a brain-dead person for seven days.
“This is the first time in history that anyone has demonstrated the ability of a genetically modified pig kidney to sustain life-sustaining kidney function,” said Jayme E. Locke, the lead author of the University of Alabama study, in an interview with The Washington Post.
These achievements could pave the way for xenotransplantation, the transfer of animal organs to humans, and alleviate the gap between the number of individuals in need of kidney transplants and those who receive them.
Over 800,000 Americans suffer from end-stage kidney disease
In the United States, more than 800,000 people are living with end-stage kidney disease, which necessitates either dialysis or a kidney transplant. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, approximately 69% of patients undergo dialysis, while the remainder have received kidney transplants.
Organs used for transplantation are obtained from both living and deceased donors who are carefully matched to ensure successful integration in the recipient’s body.
However, the demand for organ transplants far exceeds the supply. Each day, one in 17 Americans dies while awaiting transplantation, with kidneys being the most in-demand organ, as reported by the Health Resources and Services Administration.
The Washington Post revealed that there are nearly 103,479 people currently on the waiting list for organ transplants. Among them, 88,651 are waiting for a kidney transplant, according to data from the United Network for Organ Sharing. In 2022, only 26,000 people received a kidney transplant, according to NYU Langone Health.
Many individuals pass away before receiving a transplant, some become too ill to undergo the procedure, and others never make it onto the waiting list.
Pig kidneys hold the potential to save lives
Transplanting pig kidneys, as well as other pig organs, into humans is not a new concept. However, these studies have shown significantly greater success than previous attempts.
The University of Alabama team observed that their transplanted kidneys effectively performed urine production and toxin filtration, particularly removing creatinine—a toxic byproduct of muscle function. Passing the 14-day mark is a positive indication that the organ will continue to thrive inside the recipient, as it typically takes 10 to 14 days to evaluate the recipient’s immune system response.
The NYU Langone team plans to monitor the kidney’s performance for an additional month, according to The Washington Post.
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