Pig kidney transplant into a human for the first time

Kidney transplanting is arguably one of the most amazing healthcare marvels in the world. Yet, many still struggle to receive one worldwide. 

The Journal of the American Society of Nephrology says kidneys are the most common organ needed. The United Network for Organ Sharing says more than 100,000 US citizens await an organ transplant.

The Lancet medical journal says the shortage results in unethical living kidney donation in the Philippines, Pakistan, and other countries. 

Fortunately, researchers from the biotechnology company eGenesis developed a way to modify pig kidneys for human transplantation. Even better, it recently succeeded in its first-ever procedure. 

How did the kidney transplant work?

62-year-old Richard Slayman was the first to receive the genetically edited bovine kidney. The procedure occurred at Massachusettes General Hospital last Saturday and lasted for four hours.

Transplanting animal organs into humans takes considerable preparation. Harvard Medical School (HMS) said the first step involved CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology which: 

• Removes pig genes that may cause an adverse reaction in our immune system
• Adds human genes to improve the kidney’s compatibility with humans
• Deactivate viruses to eliminate infection risks during the pig kidney transplant

The patient received new monoclonal antibody drugs to suppress immune reactions against pig tissue. 

Joren Madsen, the Paul S. Russell/Warner-Lambert Professor of Surgery at HMS, said the organs and immunosuppressant drugs underwent animal testing to ensure optimal results.

The pig kidney transplant surprised the medical team when the organ “immediately pinked up,” said HMS associate professor of medicine at Mass General Winfred Williams. 

In other words, it functions in the body immediately. “They held up the ureter, and it was producing urine,” he said. 

“Applause broke out in the OR. It was quite an amazing experience,” he added. Moreover, Slayman is recovering well a week after surgery and is expected to be discharged soon.

“The real hero today is the patient, Mr. Slayman, as the success of this pioneering surgery, once deemed unimaginable, would not have been possible without his courage and willingness to embark on a journey into uncharted medical territory,” said Madsen.

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Leonardo Riella, the HMS Harold Associate Professor of Surgery, admits, “There are so many unknowns.” 

Nonetheless, the team remains optimistic. “Our hope is that dialysis will become obsolete,” said Riella. 

“We feel strongly that xenotransplantation is a reasonable option either as a bridge [on the way to receiving a human kidney] or hopefully in the future as a permanent treatment.”