A genetically modified pig kidney was removed from a 54-year-old transplant patient Lisa Pisano of New Jersey, after it started to lose its function. NYU Langone Health announced on Friday (May 31) that Pisano is now stable and has resumed dialysis.

Pisano received a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) on April 4. LVAD is a mechanical pump that helps a weakened heart pump blood throughout the body and is often used for people with severe heart failure when medication alone isn't enough.

This was followed by the kidney and thymus gland transplant from a gene-edited pig on April 12.

This marked the first instance of an organ transplant in a patient with a mechanical heart pump and the second known gene-edited pig kidney transplant into a living person. It was also the first to include the thymus in addition to a kidney transplant.&nbsp;

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Even after initial signs of recovery, Pisano's new kidney failed after 47 days.

Dr Robert Montgomery, who led the transplant, cited "unique challenges" in managing both the heart pump and the new kidney. He noted that Pisano's blood pressure dropped multiple times, affecting the kidney's blood flow.

"The blood pressure she could generate from the LVAD was not adequate to provide optimal perfusion to the kidney, causing cumulative reduction in her kidney function," Montgomery explained.

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Montgomery stated, "On balance, the kidney was no longer contributing enough to justify continuing the immunosuppression regimen."

A biopsy of the kidney showed no signs of rejection. However, the kidney suffered "significant injury" from insufficient blood flow. NYU is planning to study the removed kidney to gain further insights into its performance in a human body.

<h2>'Lisa is a pioneer and a hero'</h2>

Montgomery praised Pisano's courage, stating, “Lisa is a pioneer and a hero in the effort to create a sustainable option for people waiting for an organ transplant. Her strength and bravery in the face of adversity inspires and drives us as we continue pursuing the hope and promise of xenotransplantation."&nbsp;

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The first patient to receive a gene-edited pig kidney, Richard “Rick” Slayman, passed away nearly two months after his transplant at Massachusetts General Hospital. But his death was not directly attributed to the experimental procedure.

The organ shortage in the US is critical, with over 100,000 people on the transplant waiting list, the majority needing kidneys. Each day, 17 people die waiting for an organ.

In 2023, about 27,000 kidneys were transplanted, but nearly 89,000 people were still waiting.

(With inputs from agencies)

A genetically modified pig kidney was removed from a 54-year-old transplant patient Lisa Pisano of New Jersey, after it started to lose its function. NYU Langone Health announced on Friday (May 31) that Pisano is now stable and has resumed dialysis.

A genetically modified pig kidney was removed from a 54-year-old transplant patient Lisa Pisano of New Jersey, after it started to lose its function. NYU Langone Health announced on Friday (May 31) that Pisano is now stable and has resumed dialysis. Pisano received a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) on April 4. LVAD is a mechanical pump that helps a weakened heart pump blood throughout the body and is often used for people with severe heart failure when medication alone isn't enough. This was followed by the kidney and thymus gland transplant from a gene-edited pig on April 12. This marked the first instance of an organ transplant in a patient with a mechanical heart pump and the second known gene-edited pig kidney transplant into a living person. It was also the first to include the thymus in addition to a kidney transplant. Also Read | US faces escalating STD crisis with surging syphilis rates and rising infant deaths, warns health officials Even after initial signs of recovery, Pisano's new kidney failed after 47 days. Dr Robert Montgomery, who led the transplant, cited "unique challenges" in managing both the heart pump and the new kidney. He noted that Pisano's blood pressure dropped multiple times, affecting the kidney's blood flow. "The blood pressure she could generate from the LVAD was not adequate to provide optimal perfusion to the kidney, causing cumulative reduction in her kidney function," Montgomery explained. Also Read | Scientists develop robotic 'third thumb' that can greatly boost human efficiency Montgomery stated, "On balance, the kidney was no longer contributing enough to justify continuing the immunosuppression regimen." A biopsy of the kidney showed no signs of rejection. However, the kidney suffered "significant injury" from insufficient blood flow. NYU is planning to study the removed kidney to gain further insights into its performance in a human body. 'Lisa is a pioneer and a hero' Montgomery praised Pisano's courage, stating, “Lisa is a pioneer and a hero in the effort to create a sustainable option for people waiting for an organ transplant. Her strength and bravery in the face of adversity inspires and drives us as we continue pursuing the hope and promise of xenotransplantation." Watch | Ultra-processed food could damage your brain, reveals Harvard study × The first patient to receive a gene-edited pig kidney, Richard “Rick” Slayman, passed away nearly two months after his transplant at Massachusetts General Hospital. But his death was not directly attributed to the experimental procedure. The organ shortage in the US is critical, with over 100,000 people on the transplant waiting list, the majority needing kidneys. Each day, 17 people die waiting for an organ. In 2023, about 27,000 kidneys were transplanted, but nearly 89,000 people were still waiting. (With inputs from agencies)

Gene-edited pig kidney removed from woman patient after 47 days

In China, doctors have successfully transplanted a pig's kidney with multiple gene edits into a brain-dead human recipient. The transplantation, as per reports, has been "working continuously for 13 days."

<h2>First time in China</h2>

This was the first of its kind operation in China and comes after similar transplants in the United States.

The procedure was done on March 25 by a team of doctors that only a couple of weeks back performed a successful pig liver transplant.

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"As of April 7, the transplanted kidney has been working continuously for 13 days,"&nbsp;Qin Weijun, director of the Air Force Medical University Xijing Hospital, told Science and Technology Daily on Monday.

"It is functioning well in the recipient's body and producing urine normally."

To do this, scientists used CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology to add two human genes to the pig used in the transplant. Additionally, they removed three pig genes that can cause hyperacute rejection, said the university.

In both the cases — pig kidney and liver transplant — families of the patients agreed to the procedure to help advance medical science.

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<h2>Why pig kidney transplants matter?</h2>

As per the South China Morning Post (SCMP), every year millions of patients in China suffer from end-stage kidney disease, for which the only solution is a kidney transplant. Yet, only about 10,000 transplants take place, reported the Air Force Medical University's Department of Urology in a WeChat post last week.

In such a scenario, xenogenic transplants, from one species to another, offer a solution. Pigs, who have similar metabolism&nbsp;and organ sizes as that of humans, are the first choice, as because of fears of higher risks of disease spreading, the US Food and Drug Administration has banned the use of monkeys.&nbsp;

However, there are some ethical concerns.

<h2>Ethical concerns over xenogenic transplants</h2>

These transplants, as per the report, come with an accelerated risk of acute rejection and the transfer of infectious diseases between the donor animal and humans.

Another concern raised by the animal rights movement is how these transplants ignore the rights of animals.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

In China, doctors have successfully transplanted a pig's kidney with multiple gene edits into a brain-dead human recipient. The transplantation, as per reports, has been "working continuously for 13 days.

In China, doctors have successfully transplanted a pig's kidney with multiple gene edits into a brain-dead human recipient. The transplantation, as per reports, has been "working continuously for 13 days." First time in China This was the first of its kind operation in China and comes after similar transplants in the United States. The procedure was done on March 25 by a team of doctors that only a couple of weeks back performed a successful pig liver transplant. Also read | We are the infectors: Humans pass on viruses to animals twice than the other way around! "As of April 7, the transplanted kidney has been working continuously for 13 days," Qin Weijun, director of the Air Force Medical University Xijing Hospital, told Science and Technology Daily on Monday. "It is functioning well in the recipient's body and producing urine normally." To do this, scientists used CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology to add two human genes to the pig used in the transplant. Additionally, they removed three pig genes that can cause hyperacute rejection, said the university. In both the cases — pig kidney and liver transplant — families of the patients agreed to the procedure to help advance medical science. Also read | In a first, surgeons successfully transplant pig kidney to living patient Why pig kidney transplants matter? As per the South China Morning Post (SCMP), every year millions of patients in China suffer from end-stage kidney disease, for which the only solution is a kidney transplant. Yet, only about 10,000 transplants take place, reported the Air Force Medical University's Department of Urology in a WeChat post last week. In such a scenario, xenogenic transplants, from one species to another, offer a solution. Pigs, who have similar metabolism and organ sizes as that of humans, are the first choice, as because of fears of higher risks of disease spreading, the US Food and Drug Administration has banned the use of monkeys. However, there are some ethical concerns. Ethical concerns over xenogenic transplants These transplants, as per the report, come with an accelerated risk of acute rejection and the transfer of infectious diseases between the donor animal and humans. Another concern raised by the animal rights movement is how these transplants ignore the rights of animals. (With inputs from agencies)

Doctors in China successfully transplant pig kidney into brain-dead human patient

A man in the United States has now become the first person in the world to get a heart transplant from a genetically modified pig. It was a bit of a do-or-die situation, that prompted the American medical regulator to grant permission for this experimental surgery.

United States: First pig to human heart transplant, a game-changer for organ transplants