America transplanted pig kidneys to living humans for the first time

Doctors at Massachusetts Hospital (USA) have just performed the first pig kidney transplant for a healthy patient .

As announced on March 21, doctors from Massachusetts General Hospital (USA) successfully performed a pig kidney transplant into a living patient.

The surgery was performed on March 16, lasting 4 hours. According to a statement from the hospital, the 62-year-old patient, named Richard Slayman , is in good condition, and is expected to be discharged after recovery.

The last option besides "death"

The transplant of pig kidneys into the human body in Richard Slayman's situation took place because the victim had no other choice.

It is known that Richard Slayman has a history of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and was on hemodialysis for 7 years before undergoing a human kidney transplant in 2018.

Massachusetts General Hospital transplant surgeons perform surgery on a genetically modified pig kidney transplanted into a living person. (Photo: AP).

However, five years later, the transplanted organ showed signs of functional decline, forcing Slayman to restart dialysis in 2023.

This caused serious complications, and Slayman often had to go to the hospital for treatment.

Dr. Winfred Williams, associate chief of nephrology at Mass general and the patient's primary physician, said Richard Slayman will likely have to wait five to six years for a human kidney.

"He will not be able to survive until then ," said Dr. Williams emphasized.

The opportunity came for Slayman when he was contacted by Massachusetts General Hospital to perform the first pig kidney transplant on a living human body.

The kidney used is from a genetically mutated pig , provided by egenesis - a biotechnology company. egeneesis used the CRISPR gene editing system to modify pig genes, thereby becoming suitable for the human body.

If the surgery is successful, it will be a turning point in solving one of the most difficult problems in the modern world. It is a shortage of organs for transplant in the human body.

Nursing specialist removes pig kidney from box to prepare for transplant. (Photo: AP).

A turning point for humanity and the "chance to live" from animal organs

For decades, scientists have been diligently researching how to put organs from genetically edited animals into the human body without being rejected.

That's because the supply of organs such as hearts, kidneys, livers. that are still functioning well from healthy and deceased people is extremely limited.

However, when it comes to transplanting organs that do not "belong" to humans such as the heart, kidneys, stomach. another difficulty arises. That is the elimination process that will take place as an inevitable consequence.

Specifically, just a few hours after transplantation, even when immunosuppressive drugs are used, the so-called "super-rejection system" occurs, causing the transplant to fail, and the patient dead.

Several experiments have been performed in recent years; including the transplant of one kidney into the body of a brain-dead patient in 2021, and the transplant of two kidneys into a brain-dead patient in 2022.

Also in 2022, a 57-year-old man underwent the first pig heart transplant, but died 61 days after the transplant.

 Scientists made 69 edits on the pig's DNA before transplanting it to humans.

This result makes research projects, despite large investments and outstanding advances in technology and modern medicine, still unable to be applied as a feasible method to maintain life and health. function of the agency.

Therefore, scientists can only look forward to trials on brain-dead patients, or voluntary organ transplants, as "tests" before it becomes a viable and recognized medical therapy. .

In this case, in order to create organs suitable for humans, scientists removed three genes involved in creating carbohydrates or sugars found in pigs that the human immune system would attack. labour.

In addition, they added seven human genes, to help prevent immune-related domino effects that can lead to transplant rejection.

Finally, they neutralized segments of viral DNA - called endogenous retroviruses - in the pig genome. According to egeneesis, they are absolutely harmless to pigs, but can hurt the human body.

In total, scientists made 69 edits on the pig's DNA, before using its kidney to transplant into a human.

As part of the transplant procedure, Slayman received two antibody-based treatments, which helped him prevent organ rejection, as well as immunosuppression from drugs.

Currently, Slayman's health condition is being closely monitored to detect abnormalities in the rejection of the new organ.

If this kidney transplant is successful, it will open up the opportunity to live for millions of people around the world.

It is estimated that each year, worldwide there are a total of nearly 70,000 kidney transplants, more than 20,000 liver transplants, about 5,400 heart transplants, 3,400 lung transplants and 2,400 pancreas transplants.

In the US alone, there are still more than 100,000 people on the organ transplant waiting list and they have to endure terrible symptoms and side effects.

About 6,000 of these people die each year while waiting in vain to receive a kidney, heart or lung from someone else.