A groundbreaking medical achievement has been accomplished in China. Doctors at Xijing Hospital, led by Professor Qin Weijun and Professor Dou Kefeng, successfully performed the country’s first ever multigene-edited pig-to-human kidney transplant on a brain-dead recipient. This historic surgery took place on March 25th, following the hospital’s world-first pig-to-human liver transplant earlier in the month.
Xenotransplantation refers to using organs from animals as a solution to failing organs
The successful transplant offers immense hope for patients suffering from end-stage renal disease, a condition where the kidneys fail completely. The critical challenge for these patients has always been the shortage of available organs for transplant. However, advancements in gene editing and immunology have opened doors to xenotransplantation – using organs from animals – as a potential solution.
This landmark surgery involved a team effort from 21 hospital departments, including urology, hepatobiliary surgery, and anesthesiology. The donor pig, provided by Chengdu Clonorgan Biotechnology Co Ltd, underwent genetic modification to minimize the risk of organ rejection by the recipient. The recipient’s family, after confirmation of brain death, selflessly agreed to participate in this research, contributing to medical science’s progress.
The transplanted pig kidney functioned normally for nine days, successfully producing urine. This achievement marks a significant milestone in xenotransplantation research, paving the way for future clinical applications and offering new hope for countless patients with end-stage renal disease. Professor Dou Kefeng, one of the leading surgeons, emphasized the potential of xenotransplantation in addressing the critical shortage of donor organs. This technology has the potential to save countless lives by significantly reducing wait times or extending lifespans for patients awaiting organ transplants.
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(Via)
