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Boston, MA – Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) has announced the successful transplant of a genetically modified pig kidney into a second living human recipient, marking another significant milestone in xenotransplantation. This news comes as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first clinical trials for pig kidney transplants.
The second recipient, Tim Andrews, a 66-year-old man from Concord, New Hampshire, with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), underwent the procedure in January. Andrews, who had been on dialysis for over two years and faced additional health complications including a recent heart attack, also had the less common O− blood type, significantly extending his wait time for a human kidney.
Surgeons at MGH employed a pig kidney with 69 genomic edits, using CRISPR-Cas9 technology, to enhance compatibility and minimize rejection. Measures were also taken to inactivate porcine retroviruses, and novel immunosuppressant medications were used. The 2.5-hour procedure was successful, and Andrews has since been discharged and is no longer dependent on dialysis.
This transplant follows MGH’s first pig-to-human kidney transplant, where the recipient survived for 52 days. Other recent cases include a patient at NYU Langone Transplant Institute, who is currently the longest living recipient of a pig kidney, and another patient whose transplanted kidney had to be removed after 47 days.
In a parallel development, the FDA has approved the first clinical trials for pig kidney transplants, conducted by United Therapeutics Corp. The trial will involve six ESRD patients, aged 55 to 70, who are ineligible for traditional kidney transplants or face extended wait times. Patients will receive a “UKidney” derived from a 10 gene–edited pig. The trial is expected to begin mid-2025.
Experts are optimistic about the future of xenotransplantation, with Dr. Jeffrey M. Stern of NYU Langone noting a shift from skepticism to optimism. However, challenges remain, including determining optimal genetic modifications and immunosuppressant regimens, patient selection, and ethical concerns regarding lifelong monitoring for zoonotic infections.
The need for alternative organ sources is critical, as over 106,000 people are on the U.S. kidney transplant waiting list, with only about 27,000 transplants performed in 2023. This advancement offers hope for alleviating the organ shortage and improving patient outcomes.
“This second xenotransplant provides us with another excellent opportunity to learn how we can make genetically edited pig organs a viable, long-term solution for patients,” said Dr. Tatsuo Kawai, director of MGH’s Legorreta Center for Clinical Transplant Tolerance.
“We stand at the beginning of a future where organ shortages may no longer dictate patient outcomes,” added Dr. Michael Curtis, CEO of eGenesis, which provided the genetically edited pig kidney for the MGH transplants.
Disclaimer: This news article is based on information available at the time of writing and is intended for informational purposes only. Medical advancements are subject to change, and the outcomes of xenotransplantation procedures may vary. This article should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment.
