Pioneering transplant: second successful pig kidney implant offers hope for organ shortage

Surgeons in the United States have successfully performed a second transplant of a genetically modified pig kidney into a living person, marking a significant advancement in animal-to-human organ transplants, a hospital announced on Wednesday.

The procedure, conducted at NYU Langone Health in New York in April, involved Lisa Pisano, a 54-year-old who was facing heart failure and end-stage kidney disease, with doctors estimating only weeks left to live without medical intervention.

In a groundbreaking move, surgeons implanted a mechanical heart pump in Pisano just days before the kidney transplant, a world-first combination according to NYU Langone Health.

Alongside the gene-edited kidney, doctors also transplanted the pig's thymus gland into Pisano, a procedure believed to be the first of its kind on a living patient. The thymus gland aids in educating the immune system, thus reducing the risk of organ rejection.

Lead surgeon Dr. Robert Montgomery described the operation as a "milestone" in the quest to make life-saving organs accessible to all in need. He highlighted its potential to eliminate the waiting list dependency on deceased donors, a possibility that brings hope to many.

The first-ever pig kidney transplant into a living patient took place in March at Massachusetts General Hospital, performed on a 62-year-old man. These xenotransplants, involving the transfer of organs between different species, offer promise amid the ongoing shortage of human organ donors.

Yet, the challenge lies in overcoming the potential rejection of animal organs by the human body. Hence, genetic modification is essential to ensure compatibility and minimize risks for patients.

Although previous attempts with genetically modified pig hearts at the University of Maryland ended in short-term survival, Pisano's case offers optimism. A grandmother from New Jersey, she had exhausted all other options before opting for the procedure.

Pisano's remarkable progress, showing no signs of organ rejection nearly two weeks post-operation, brings hope for the future of xenotransplantation. According to Montgomery, her kidney function remains optimal, indicating a successful outcome thus far.