Groundbreaking Pig-to-Human Kidney Transplant: A Medical Milestone
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | First pig-to-human kidney transplant performed by surgeons at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston. |
| Recipient | A 62-year-old man with end-stage renal disease. |
| Recipient's Medical History | Previously received a human kidney transplant in 2018, which failed after five years. Resumed dialysis. |
| Organ Source | Kidney from a genetically modified pig provided by eGenesis, Cambridge, Massachusetts. |
| Genetic Modifications | Genes harmful to humans removed; human genes added for compatibility. Inactivation of pig-specific viruses. |
| Previous Success | Kidneys from similarly edited pigs successfully transplanted into monkeys, with survival up to two years. |
| Immunosuppression | Combination of immunosuppressive drugs and experimental antibody (tegoprubart) by Eledon Pharmaceuticals. |
| Field of Progress | Xenotransplantation - transplanting organs or tissues from one species to another. |
| Organ Demand | Over 100,000 people in the U.S. await organ transplants, with kidneys in the greatest demand. |
| Future Steps | FDA authorization of clinical trials to understand effective approaches for patients on waiting lists. |