A pig’s kidney that was successfully transplanted into a human body and has been functioning normally for over a month holds promising potential for the future of life-saving operations. The experimental surgery, performed with the consent of the family of a brain-dead individual who donated his body to science, achieved a breakthrough for genetically-engineered pig kidneys. The longest duration of function in a person was announced by NYU Langone Health on Wednesday. According to Dr. Robert Montgomery, director of the NYU Langone Transplant Institute, the pig kidney, with only one genetic modification and without the need for experimental medications or devices, has proven capable of replacing the function of a human kidney for at least 32 days without rejection.
Past challenges in animal-to-human transplants, or xenotransplantation, arose due to rejection issues caused by the recipient’s immune system attacking foreign tissue. However, scientists have made progress in using genetic modification to better match organs with human bodies. In a notable case from last year, University of Maryland surgeons achieved a milestone by successfully transplanting a gene-edited pig heart into a dying patient who had no other options. Although the patient only survived for two months before the organ failed, valuable lessons were learned for future attempts.
The latest case involving the pig kidney transplant will be closely monitored for another month to track its performance. Additionally, the University of Alabama at Birmingham reported another successful xenotransplant, where a pig-to-human kidney transplant provided “life-sustaining kidney function” in a deceased human for seven days. While the authors of the study acknowledge that the findings are limited to a single case, they believe that xenotransplantation showcases a viable potential solution to the organ shortage crisis responsible for thousands of preventable deaths each year.
The need for organ transplants is dire, with more than 100,000 people in the U.S. currently awaiting an organ transplant across all categories. However, the number of organ donations remains relatively small. In the first seven months of this year, the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network reported a total of 27,169 transplants. The potential for pig kidneys to alleviate this shortage led the family of Maurice “Mo” Miller, a 57-year-old from upstate New York, to donate his body for the experimental transplant. His sister, Mary Miller-Duffy, struggled with the decision but believed it was what her brother would have wanted. She expressed pride in his contribution, stating that he will live on forever in the medical books.
The success of these pig kidney transplants offers hope that no one will have to die while waiting for an organ. Dr. Robert Montgomery envisions a future where pig organs could serve as an alternative to human organs, ultimately reducing the organ shortage crisis. The ongoing research provides optimism for advancing medical possibilities.
Note: Li Cohen and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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