Breakthrough in Cross-Species Organ Transplantation

The medical world has witnessed a remarkable achievement as Chinese scientists conducted the first transplant of a genetically modified pig liver segment into a human cancer patient. The procedure showed positive results, with the transplanted segment effectively supporting the patient’s metabolic functions for 38 days before complications necessitated its removal.

The Concept of Cross-Species Organ Transplantation

Transplanting organs from animals to humans, known as xenotransplantation, has seen significant advancements in recent years. The transfer of a pig liver to a human demonstrates that animal organs can survive and function effectively within the complex human body environment.

According to Bisheng Sun, president of the First Hospital of Anhui Medical University in China, these procedures provide a temporary bridge for patients to recover or receive a donor organ when a full liver replacement is necessary.

Surgical Procedure Details

The patient faced a life-threatening liver rupture due to a tumor on the right side of the liver. The remaining left lobe was insufficient to sustain life. The medical team implanted a segment of the pig liver as an auxiliary transplant, allowing the human liver to remain in place and begin regenerating.

The genetically modified pig liver began functioning immediately after surgery, secreting bile and producing albumin, clotting factors, and pig-derived bile acids, which helped stabilize the patient’s health condition.

Challenges and Outcomes

In the second month post-surgery, serious coagulation complications associated with immune activation emerged. Doctors addressed this condition using immunosuppressive drugs and blood purification procedures.

Although the transplanted liver was removed after 38 days, the patient’s remaining human liver regained its functions, and the patient remained stable for over three months before passing away due to an unrelated intestinal bleeding incident.

Future Developments in Xenotransplantation

This procedure marks a step forward in the field of xenotransplantation. In August, another team in China performed the first pig-to-human lung transplant, and earlier this year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first clinical trial for pig kidney transplants.

The medical community is awaiting approval for ex vivo procedures using pig organs, allowing animal organs to serve as temporary substitutes until human organs become available.

Conclusion

The transplantation of a pig liver segment to a human is a significant step toward advancing xenotransplantation, offering temporary and supportive solutions for patients awaiting human organ transplants. Despite the challenges and the need for further studies, these procedures provide new hope for improving the quality of life for patients suffering from organ failure.