Transplanted Pig Kidney Still Working After a Record-Setting 9 Months in a Patient

A gene-edited pig kidney transplanted into a brain-dead patient has continued to function for a record-breaking nine months, marking a significant milestone in xenotransplantation research. The procedure, conducted by surgeons at NYU Langone Health, utilized a kidney from a pig genetically modified to remove the sugar molecule that typically triggers immediate organ rejection in humans. This breakthrough offers a potential solution to the chronic shortage of human organs available for transplant. Researchers observed that the organ maintained normal function throughout the study period, providing critical data on the long-term viability of animal-to-human organ transplants. While the study was conducted on a deceased patient maintained on life support, the results provide a promising foundation for future clinical trials. Experts believe this success brings the medical community closer to addressing the life-threatening waitlists that thousands of patients face globally while waiting for compatible human donors.